Mirlinda Ndrecka

Mirlinda Ndrecka serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Criminal Justice within the Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences at the University of New Haven. She teaches courses at undergraduate, master's, and doctoral levels, with expertise in research methods, criminological theory, and correctional practices and programs.

Her educational background includes a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati (2014), a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Charleston Southern University (2004), and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the same institution (2002).

Dr. Ndrecka's research focuses on criminological theory, correctional program evaluation, risk assessment in corrections, reentry programs, and evidence-based planning and implementation. She has extensive experience in evaluating correctional programs and developing evidence-based treatment guidelines for correctional agencies, with particular emphasis on reducing recidivism through data-driven interventions.

Her scholarly output demonstrates consistent focus on correctional effectiveness, with publications spanning reentry program meta-analyses, gender-specific corrections research, and practical applications of risk assessment tools. This body of work reveals a methodical progression from theoretical frameworks to evidence-based implementation strategies.

Dr. Ndrecka has secured significant grant funding, including:

• Principal Investigator for the Connecticut Department of Corrections on the BJA Second Chance Act Statewide Adult Recidivism Reduction Implementation Program ($640,000, 2016-2021).
• Subcontractor for the State of Connecticut Judicial Branch Juvenile Justice Process and Outcome Evaluation ($42,643.80, 2020-2023).
• Principal Investigator for the Connecticut Department of Corrections on the BJA Second Chance Act Statewide Adult Recidivism Reduction Strategic Planning Program ($93,480, 2015-2016).
• Principal Investigator for the City of New Haven on the BJA Second Chance Act Two-Phase Adult Reentry Demonstration Program ($120,005, 2015-2019).

She has produced comprehensive evaluation reports for all major grants and presented findings at national conferences including the American Society of Criminology.

Collaborating directly with the Connecticut Department of Corrections and New Haven correctional authorities, Dr. Ndrecka leads practical research initiatives that bridge academic theory with operational correctional programming, focusing on measurable improvements in reentry outcomes and institutional effectiveness.