Jennifer K. Wesely

Dr. Jennifer K. Wesely is a Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of North Florida, where she also serves as the University IRB Chair. Since joining the department in 2004, she has become a leading voice in the intersections of gender, crime, and rehabilitation, with a distinctive focus on marginalized women, formerly incarcerated populations, and innovative prison-animal programs.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Justice Studies, Arizona State University, 2001
• M.S., Arizona State University
• B.A. in Psychology, Boston College

Research Interests:

Dr. Wesely’s scholarship spans a broad spectrum of criminological inquiry, with particular emphasis on the lived experiences of marginalized women—including sex workers, homeless women, and ex-offenders—and the rehabilitative potential of human-animal interaction. Her work delves into:

• Prison Dog Programs (PDPs) and their transformative impact on incarcerated men
• Gendered pathways to incarceration and re-entry
• Humane education and its role in at-risk youth intervention
• Intimate partner violence and its intersection with homelessness and criminal justice
• Qualitative methodologies and reflexive research ethics

Research Trends:

Across her 34 research outputs, Dr. Wesely has increasingly focused on the rehabilitative and identity-transforming effects of prison-animal programs. Her recent work examines how these programs challenge racial and gender norms in correctional settings, foster moral development among incarcerated men, and serve as turning points in desistance from crime. Concurrently, she continues to explore the structural and symbolic violence faced by women in street-based economies and the justice system.

Scientific Recognition & Media Impact:

While specific awards are not enumerated, her work has garnered significant media attention, with 12 press and media mentions. These include coverage in regional and national outlets on prison-animal rehabilitation and humane education, underscoring her role as a public-facing scholar.

Teaching & Mentorship:

Dr. Wesely teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses including family violence, criminal law, women and crime, and qualitative research methods. In 2019, she led a Transformational Learning Opportunity (TLO) course titled "The Role of Canines in Inmate Rehabilitation," integrating her research directly into experiential pedagogy.

Community Collaboration:

She actively collaborates with local and national organizations, most notably the Jacksonville Humane Society, to implement humane education programming for at-risk youth and incarcerated populations. These partnerships bridge academic research and community-based intervention.