Rodger Benefiel

Rodger Benefiel is an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice in the Department of Anthropology, Sociology, Criminal Justice, and Social Work at Bloomsburg University. He holds a Ph.D. in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Arizona State University (2015) and brings over two decades of practical experience from the Federal Bureau of Prisons, where he served in leadership roles including associate warden and captain.

His educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Criminology and Criminal Justice, Arizona State University
• M.A. in Criminal Justice Administration, St. Leo University
• B.A. in Correctional Administration and Management, Bellevue University

Dr. Benefiel's research focuses on criminal justice organizations, particularly prisons, and explores informal structures, management practices, and the impact of social relationships within correctional systems. His work addresses contemporary issues such as long-term segregation, prison rape, privatization, and labor-management relations, employing both quantitative and qualitative methods. He also investigates deviance, mass incarceration’s effects on youth, recidivism, and shifting social values in relation to law and authority.

His recent publications span topics including prison disorder, LGBTQI offenders, sex offender education, and criminological theory. These works appear in authoritative references such as Oxford Bibliographies and Palgrave-MacMillan handbooks, reflecting a strong scholarly presence in corrections and justice policy.

His professional awards include:

• Supervisor of the Year (three times)
• Special Recognition for Drug Interdiction from the International Narcotics Enforcement Officers' Association

Dr. Benefiel has taught a wide range of courses including Penology, Restorative Justice, Crime and Inequality, and American Street and Prison Gangs. His teaching and research are deeply informed by his frontline experience in federal corrections and military service as a U.S. Marine Corps sergeant. He has presented at major academic conferences such as the American Society of Criminology and the Eastern Sociological Society.

He is actively engaged in applying criminological and sociological theories to real-world problems and shaping public policy through scholarly work.