Staff

Andrew Krebs received his PhD in Sociology from the University of Texas at Austin (2020). Andrew’s research interests include the structural connections between criminal justice and mental health systems. His dissertation research explored the occupational role and experience of mental health professionals working in various justice-oriented settings (e.g. pre-arrest diversion, corrections, and re-entry). Prior to receiving his PhD, Andrew graduated with a MA in Sociology from DePaul University (2012) and a BA in Sociology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (2010). He is also a proud graduate of Walnut Hills High School in Cincinnati, OH.

Ashleigh is a PhD candidate at Michigan State University. She previously received her MS in criminal justice from UNC Charlotte (2016), her MEd in mental health counseling from Winthrop University (2015), and her BA in justice and law from American University (2013). Her primary research interests include the impact and experience of higher education in prison, prison programming, and individuals’ experiences with incarceration and reentry. Her work can be found in Criminology & Public Policy, Crime & Delinquency, and Justice Evaluation Journal.

Chris D'Amato is a doctoral candidate at the University of Cincinnati School of Criminal Justice. He has worked with UCCI for over five years and is currently a research associate with the institute. Chris’ research focuses on examining the validity and reliability of criminogenic risk assessments, the effects of criminal justice involvement on various life outcomes, effective correctional policy, and criminal sentencing. His professional goals center around using research to help the correctional field continue to make advancements around the treatment, rehabilitation, and reintegration of justice-involved individuals. Chris previously graduated with a MS in criminal justice from the University of Cincinnati (2017) and a BS in criminal justice from Xavier University (2016). 

Eric Willoughby received his M.S. in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati in 2008.  He currently serves as a Junior Research Associate for the University of Cincinnati Corrections Institute.  Eric has over eight years of clinical experience while working at River City Correctional Center (RCCC) in Hamilton County, Ohio.  During his tenure at RCCC, Eric provided several treatment services while working individually with inmates applying the Principles of Effective Intervention through individual sessions and group facilitation.  Eric has years of experience facilitating various treatment groups which includes Thinking for a Change and Cognitive Behavioral Interventions in Substance Abuse.  In his last two years at RCCC, Eric served as the Quality Assurance Coordinator and completed multiple audits through group and individual session observations and file reviews ensuring the staff upheld various ACA and ODRC standards.  Eric also served as RCCC’s liaison to the Sex Offender program, a PREA SART team member and as the lead training coordinator for the entire facility.

Jaime Bonecutter is a Research Associate with UCCI. She earned a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice in 2017 from UC after receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from UC in 1999. She has worked in the field of Corrections for over 23 years. At UCCI, she is a trainer in the ORAS, OYAS, LS/CMI and the YLS/CMI risk assessments, various Cognitive Behavioral Interventions curricula, and the Correctional Program Checklist. During her time at UC, she has assisted with the development of the CBI-IFR and CBI-IPV curricula and has served as a project manager.

Jennifer joined the staff of the UC Corrections Institute (UCCI) in July of 2012,  and currently serves as Production Coordinator, overseeing development and production of UCCI products and services, as well as communication and marketing initiatives. A member of UCCI leadership team, Jennifer supports vision and mission of UCCI to be a world class technical assistance povider who researches, develops, disseminates and implements evidence-based practices in corrections. As Principle Investigator of training and technical assistance awards as well as Project Director of new product development, Jennifer supports collaborative opportunities with criminal and juvenile justice agencies at local, state and national levels. Within the University setting, Jennifer serves as liasion to the University’s Office of Innovation in the dissemination of UC intellectual property and UC's Information Technology Solution Center (ITSC) for product automation partnerships.

Lauren Kenney is a Research Associate with the University of Cincinnati Corrections Institute (UCCI), joining the team in March of 2022. Lauren holds a Bachelor's Degree and Master's Degree in Criminal Justice and Public Safety from Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). Prior to joining UCCI, Lauren worked for the Wyoming Department of Corrections, overseeing case management practices at the state prisons. During her tenure in Wyoming, Lauren oversaw and trained on evidence-based programs and practices offered to incarcerated individuals and led the state’s implementation of the Ohio Risk Assessment System (ORAS). At UCCI, Lauren specializes in risk assessments (particularly in the realms of continuous quality improvement and agency implementation) and Motivational Interviewing. Lauren is passionate about working closely with partners in the field in the shared commitment of client rehabilitation and community safety through the implementation and sustainable use of evidence-based practices.

Leslie is the Research Manager at UCCI. She works with both the research and implementation teams to measure success within the Institute and with external partners. She leads a project with the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention focused on hiring, staffing, and improving retention.

Her background is in Experimental Psychology/Physiology with performance in extreme environmental conditions (e.g., hypoxia, spatial disorientation, fatigue) and she has worked with academic, industry, and military collaborators in support of vulnerable and under-served populations.

Maggie Schweitzer has been working for UCCI since 2014.  First as a contract employee in the role of Training Coordinator for 3 years before becoming a staff member in January, 2017 as a Program Manager.  In 2019, Maggie transitioned into her current role as Business Manager.  Maggie now handles the financial aspects of the Corrections Institute, mainly by helping to create and manage the budgets on all of our projects.  As part of a special project, she served as the Project Manager on our Criminogenic Need and Violent Behavior Program curriculum development project for the Administrative Office of the United States Courts (AO). Maggie earned her Bachelors of Business in Supply Chain Management from Miami University and, prior to working at UCCI, worked as a Material Coordinator in the automotive manufacturing industry.

Myrinda Schweitzer Smith received her Ph.D. from the University of Cincinnati School of Criminal Justice and is the Executive Director of the University of Cincinnati Corrections Institute. Dr. Schweitzer Smith has co-authored publications, presented nationally and internationally on effective interventions, and served as a project director for over 300 projects involving program evaluation, the development and implementation of cognitive-behavioral programs for delinquency, criminality, substance abuse, employment, and sexual offending, and effective practices for community supervision and support. She serves and participates on a multitude of advisory boards and professional organizations supporting the health and wellbeing of those working in and those impacted by the justice system. Most recently, she is actively engaged in several projects that aim to transform juvenile justice and reentry practices to positively shape lives and create safer communities. 

Natasha is a post doc fellow at UCCI. Her research interests include desistence from crime, reentry and rehabilitation of justice involved individuals, and cross-cultural application of criminal justice research. She is focused on using data driven solutions to support agencies and practitioners in efforts to reduce crime, recidivism, and unnecessary confinement. She is interested in working with agencies to design and evaluate correctional interventions, practices, and policies. By doing so, she hopes to contribute to the development of a more effective, equitable and humane criminal justice system. She is currently working on an evaluation study to test the effectiveness of a CBI curriculum for reentry. Natasha earned a Ph.D. in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Arizona State University. Her research has been published in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence and Journal of Developmental and Life-Course Criminology.  

Tammy Dean is the Practice and Implementation Coordinator and a Research Associate with the University of Cincinnati’s Corrections Institute. Mrs. Dean has a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Massachusetts – Lowell and has worked in the field of corrections since 2006.