Volume 1 (2020)

Welcome, It is a great pleasure to introduce the inaugural edition of The Mid-Southern Journal of Criminal Justice. This online, open-access, publication, designed to reach a wider audience of readers interested in criminal justice, is a natural outgrowth of the annual printed journal titled, The West Virginia Criminal Justice Educators’ Association Conference Journal. The online journal is initially to be enjoyed by the members of The West Virginia Criminal Justice Educators’ Association (WVCJEA) although an expanded readership of criminal justice faculty, scholars, and students from neighboring states and beyond may likely develop as the journal evolves. The move to an online journal also falls within the scope of the association’s mission. This journal continues to facilitate the goal to “to promote the communication between members and dissemination of information among members, professional organizations, and agencies of the criminal justice system within the state of West Virginia.” In collegial fashion, the new online journal of the WVCJEA welcomes information about the criminal justice realm from members, scholars, educators, and students. In closing, The Mid-Southern Journal of Criminal Justice strives to be a venue for the sharing of groundbreaking criminal justice research as we continue to expand our scholarly, educational, and professional footprint across West Virginia and the mid-southern region. This new online version of the journal will begin by sharing samples of written work submitted by students recognized for their efforts at last autumn’s 2019-2020 WVCJEA annual conference. Again, scholars from criminal justice, criminology, and related disciplines are invited to submit manuscripts for consideration of publication. We hope that you enjoy this inaugural version of The Mid-Southern Journal of Criminal Justice of The West Virginia Criminal Justice Educators’ Association and we hope for your submissions in this growing and open scholarly outlet.