Problem Solving Courts explores a relatively new approach to criminal justice one that can have a powerful impact on how convicts connect with their communities. Problem solving courts, born out of the drug court movement in the 1980s, are run by judges who, with the assistance of law enforcement agents and mental health workers, meet with convicts on a weekly basis to talk about their treatment. Treatment programs often include therapy, in addition to the possibility of incarceration or early "parole" in which an offender can complete his or her sentence under the jurisdiction of the court. In this unique collaboration, scholar JoAnn Miller and judge Donald C. Johnson, creators of three successful problem solving courts themselves, address the compelling needs for alternatives to prisons, analyze problem solving courts in depth, and assess the impact problem solving courts can have on convicts and their communities. Problem solving courts can include: community courts that seek to improve the quality of life in neighborhoods struggling with crime and disorder; drug treatment courts that link addicted offenders to drug treatment instead of incarceration; family treatment courts that seek to stop the cycle of drugs, child neglect, and foster care; and domestic violence courts that emphasize victim safety and defendant accountability."

Family Abuse and Violence presents a new perspective for studying inter- and intragenerational forms of family abuse and violence. The framework integrates existing theories and guides an interpretation of empirical data to study socially deviant or criminal problems that occur within families. It is a text for: undergraduate students in a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year course in social problems, family abuse and violence, family and gender, or community problems; or for graduate students in MS or PhD programs in sociology, psychology, child and family studies.

Family Abuse and Violence presents a new perspective for studying inter- and intragenerational forms of family abuse and violence. The framework integrates existing theories and guides an interpretation of empirical data to study socially deviant or criminal problems that occur within families. It is a text for: undergraduate students in a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year course in social problems, family abuse and violence, family and gender, or community problems; or for graduate students in MS or PhD programs in sociology, psychology, child and family studies.

Problem Solving Courts explores a relatively new approach to criminal justice-one that can have a powerful impact on how convicts connect with their communities. Problem solving courts, born out of the drug court movement in the 1980s, are run by judges who, with the assistance of law enforcement agents and mental health workers, meet with convicts on a weekly basis to talk about their treatment. Treatment programs often include therapy, in addition to the possibility of incarceration or early 'parole' in which an offender can complete his or her sentence under the jurisdiction of the court. In this unique collaboration, scholar JoAnn Miller and judge Donald C. Johnson, creators of three successful problem solving courts themselves, address the compelling needs for alternatives to prisons, analyze problem solving courts in depth, and assess the impact problem solving courts can have on convicts and their communities. Problem solving courts can include: community courts that seek to improve the quality of life in neighborhoods struggling with crime and disorder; drug treatment courts that link addicted offenders to drug treatment instead of incarceration; family treatment courts that seek to stop the cycle of drugs, child neglect, and foster care; and domestic violence courts that emphasize victim safety and defendant accountability.

Hasn't everyone dreamed of changing their life? Well Jo Ann Miller did it and writes of it candidly and openly in her "A Marathon of Change: A Radical Transformation of a Baby Boomer." The daughter of famed fighter pilot Thomas H. Miller and goddaughter of astronaut John Glenn (who writes the Foreword for the book), Miller grew up in the midst of constant change and under the shadow of the United States Marine Corps. After emerging as a beautiful young career woman, the stress of work and life took its toll on her personality as well as her body. Faced with an embarrassing obesity, draining work demands and some horrid tragic events in her past, Ms. Miller decided to change her life. The culmination of this change is the Marine Corps Marathon in 2006 and the book follows her every stride through each mile as she reflects on the demands of the race as well as the remembrances to her past. The book deals with the loneliness of obesity, the challenge of gastric bypass surgery, the tragedy of life and death, the intimate anger of rape and finally, the joy of financial freedom and new found love. This book is a must read for anyone seeking to change their life