McNair Scholar 2021 Patrick E. Nolan
Patrick E. Nolan is a senior undergraduate student at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, majoring in Sociology of Law, Criminology, and Deviance. His research interests include incarceration, penology, and recidivism. Mr. Nolan intends on pursuing his Ph.D. in Sociology or Criminology, focusing his research on investigating penal policies and their effect on incarcerated populations.
I want to be the professor that believed in me despite my past struggles. I want to be the researcher that dares to ask the questions others will not. I want to be an undeterred advocate for policy change, despite the resistance of a rigid system.
Research project
Correctional Officer (Un)Wellness – An International Analysis
Abstract: Correctional officers in the United States experience severe work-related stressors and are generally physically unwell compared to similar public employees. An innovative and new approach to improving American corrections that is starting to gain momentum stems from looking at the workplace dynamic in alternative international models, such as in Scandinavian prison systems, for models of workplace reform. This study examines the perspectives of staff and leaders from the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections who traveled to Scandinavia as part of a correctional exchange. Each day of the trip, correctional staff recorded their qualitative reflections and completed a survey about their observations and experiences. This article examines both forms of data to explore correctional officer wellness from the perspective of American correctional officers. Five key themes are discussed: morale, stress, danger, dynamic security, and communication. Survey results suggest that US correctional officers experienced lower stress and more positive interactions during their time in Norway. Key takeaways and implications for policy are discussed.
Faculty mentor
Dr. Christopher Uggen is Regents Professor and Martindale Chair in Sociology and Law at the University of Minnesota. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in Sociology. He studies crime, law, and inequality from a life course perspective, firm in the belief that sound research can help build a more just and peaceful world. He was the 2017-2018 Vice President of the American Sociological Association and a fellow of the American Society of Criminology. Beyond teaching and research, Dr. Uggen is a mentor to many graduate and undergraduate students including a recurring faculty mentor for the University of Minnesota’s TRIO McNair program.