Education

• Ph.D. 2007, University of Central Florida, Public affairs
• M.A. 2003, University of Central Florida, Criminal justice
• B.A. 1992, University of Wollongong, Education

Bio

Dr. Hayden P. Smith is a Professor of Criminology & Criminal Justice at the University of South Carolina. His principal focus of study is the intersection of the criminal justice and public health systems. Dr. Smith is a national and international expert on self-injurious and suicidal behaviors occurring in incarcerated populations. Other areas of study include mental health programs in jail and prison, officer wellness and resiliency, the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), reentry initiatives, and best practices in evaluating corrections-based programs. Dr. Smith has expertise in program evaluation and policy analysis and has worked with numerous correctional and health systems, including over one million dollars in research funding. Dr. Smith’s previous publications have appeared in top-tiered journals like Justice Quarterly, Crime & Delinquency, and Criminal Justice & Behavior. 

Specialization

• Mental illness and the criminal justice system
• Suicide and self-injurious behaviors in corrections
• Officer safety and well-being
• Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA)
• Standards of care
• Program evaluation

Publications

Smith, H. P. (2021). Introduction to the special edition on correctional officer wellness and resiliency. Criminal Justice Studies: A Critical Journal of Crime, Law, and Society, 34(4), 353-360. (Guest editor of special edition devoted to articles on correctional officer wellness and resiliency - Criminal Justice Studies: A Critical Journal of Crime, Law, and Society, 34(4), 353-497).

Smith, H. P., & Cipolli, W. (Forthcoming). The Instagram/Facebook ban on graphic self-harm imagery: A sentiment analysis and topic modeling approach. Policy & Internet.

Smith, H. P. (2020). Evaluating the implementation of the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA): A 'lesson learned' approach. Evaluation & Program Planning, 83, 1-8.