Jennifer Merkle

Jennifer Merkle is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Service at Hawaii Pacific University's College of Professional Studies. She holds a J.D. from American University, Washington College of Law, and a B.A. from Eckerd College, both earned with high honors. Her career spans over 25 years in legal service, including roles with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in Hawaii and Florida, and as an Assistant State Attorney in Florida.

Her research interests include:

• Improving preparation for incarceration and re-entry
• Emotional intelligence in corrections and law enforcement training
• Youth violence prevention and juvenile justice
• Community policing and evidence-based risk assessment
• Applied quantitative methods in criminal justice

Although no publications are listed, her work is deeply informed by decades of practical experience in federal corrections and criminal law. She is committed to enhancing transparency within the Federal Bureau of Prisons and integrating evidence-based practices into correctional systems.

Her professional accolades include numerous sustained superior performance awards from the Bureau of Prisons. She has also served in leadership and training roles, including as Diversity Instructor and Federal Women’s Program Manager.

Jennifer Merkle advises on legal matters and teaches, reflecting her dual commitment to academic scholarship and real-world legal advocacy. She has led training sessions and held adjunct teaching roles prior to her current appointment. She also operates a virtual law firm, offering consulting services on Federal Bureau of Prisons issues, estate planning, and general legal practice in Hawaii, Florida, and Maryland.

She is actively involved in professional development and public education, maintaining a blog titled FAQs Inside the Wire to address common questions about BOP procedures. She is a member of the American Correctional Association and contributes to legal discourse through consultation and community engagement.