معرفی
Zina Makar is an Assistant Professor of Law at the University of Baltimore School of Law, specializing in prison law, criminal procedure, and civil rights. Her work critically examines the intersection of carceral systems and legal rights, with a focus on prisoners’ rights and the transformative impact of technology on incarceration.
Education
- L.L.M., Georgetown University Law Center
- J.D., University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law
- B.S., University of Maryland
Research Interests
Makar’s scholarship delves into the jurisprudence of prison law, exploring how carceral spaces shape individuals’ relationships with the state. Her recent work investigates the role of carceral technologies in redefining the nature of incarceration. She examines the ethical and legal implications of surveillance technologies in prisons, the erosion of dignity in prison law, and the systemic issues of pretrial detention and bail reform.
Her research also addresses the procedural aspects of criminal law, including the Supreme Court’s shadow docket and the implications of per curiam decisions. She advocates for doctrinal integration to address disenfranchisement and unnecessary incarceration, contributing to broader conversations on criminal justice reform.
Scientific Awards
- Baltimore City Bar Association's Public Interest Attorney of the Year Award (2017)
Grants and Advocacy
Before entering academia, Makar was an Open Society Institute Fellow from 2014 to 2016. During her fellowship, she established the Pipeline to Habeas program, which serves as a model for the Baltimore City Office of the Public Defender in challenging wrongful pretrial detention. Her advocacy efforts led to the pretrial release of 101 protestors arrested following the death of Freddie Gray, highlighting her commitment to bail reform and civil rights.
Labs and Teams
While no specific lab or research team is mentioned, her collaborative work with the Baltimore City Office of the Public Defender underscores her ongoing engagement with legal practitioners and reform advocates.
