Dacia Leslie, PhD

Senior Research Fellow

Focus:

Tertiary Crime Prevention to the Intersection of Monitoring & Evaluation

Email:

dacia.leslie@uwi.edu

Tel:

876) 927-1020

Fax:

876) 927-2409

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Bio

Dr. Leslie is Senior Research Fellow at the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies (SALISES), The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus. She joined the Institute in 2016 in the Research Fellow capacity, but has worked with SALISES Fellows, just over ten years in various capacities including Junior Consultant and Research Assistant. Dr. Leslie’s current duties encompass extending, changing and applying knowledge acquired from scholarship to research and appropriate external activities, participating in SALISES contracted consultancies, contributing to publications, disseminating research findings using media suitable for the discipline, supervising post-graduate students at the Mona and Cave Hill campuses of The UWI, providing academic advisement, chairing the SALISES Crime Prevention and Offender Management research cluster and coordinating the Monitoring & Evaluation postgraduate course. To date she has supervised two students to successful completion of their masters as main supervisor.

Since graduating in 2008 from SALISES, Mona with a MSc. in Governance and Public Policy, Dr. Leslie has served in various capacities on consultancy projects including as project coordinator and principal investigator. She currently serves on various boards/committees/panels and in, academic posts including: Research Associate, Institute of Island Studies, University of Prince Edward Island; Coordinator, Humber College Study Abroad Programme, School of Social & Community Services, Humber Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning; and, Appointed Member, Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the United Kingdom Alumni Advisory Panel.

Dr. Leslie’s research and publications continue to make their way into the international and regional spheres. Her personal research concentrates on the lived experiences of inmates, ex-prisoners, involuntary removed migrants and their child dependents to the intersection of her teaching focus, which is on Development Studies, with specialisation in Monitoring & Evaluation.

Twitter handle: @Dacia Leslie

Academic Profile

Position: Research Fellow
Profession: Criminologist & Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist
Research Areas: correctional reform, effective reintegration, evidence-based policy formulation, inclusive sustainable development

Education

Doctor of Philosophy (Social Sciences-Criminology pathway) (Cardiff University, UK). Thesis entitled: Criminal Recidivism in the Caribbean: Improving the Reintegration of Jamaican Ex-prisoners (2016).

Master of Science (Governance and Public Policy) (SALISES, The University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica) (2008).

Bachelor of Science (International Relations with minors in Criminology and Social Policy Administration) (Department of Government, The University of the West Indies, Mona) (2007).

Publications

Books

Leslie, Dacia. (2019). Recidivism in the Caribbean. Improving the reintegration of Jamaican ex-prisoners. London: Palgrave Macmillan (358 pages).

Benfield Warren, Claudia Chambers and Dacia Leslie. (2016). The Changing Nature of Poverty and Inequality in the Caribbean: New Issues, New Solutions. Barbados: Caribbean Development Bank, eBook ISBN 978-976-95931-3-8 (150 pages).

Chapters in Books

Leslie, Dacia., & Centifanti, L. (2020). Children of prisoners

have protection needs too -Insights from the lived experiences of offenders. In W. Wallace (Ed.) Caribbean Perspectives on Criminology and Criminal Justice: Volume II. Washington D.C.: Westphalia Press, pg. 201-236

Leslie, Dacia and Luna Centifanti. (2020). Child protection in Jamaica-Insights from the lived experiences of offenders. In W. Wallace (Ed.) Caribbean Perspectives on Criminology and Criminal Justice: Volume II. Washington D.C.: Westphalia Press, pp. 201-236.

Articles in Refereed Journals

Leslie, D. (2021). Preserving Researcher Safety while Investigating Recidivism in a Caribbean Context. SAGE Research Methods CASES in Sociology (Case Study).

Leslie, D. (2021). The Problem with Snowballing in a Small Island Context. SAGE Research Methods CASES in Sociology (Case Study).

Leslie, Dacia. (2020). Reassessing Conditions of "Prison" in Jamaica. International Criminal Justice Review. https://doi.org/10.1177/1057567720922283.

Leslie, Dacia. (2018). Transplanted bodies & ideas. Review of Janice A McLean-Farrell, West Indian Pentecostals: Living their faith in New York and London. International Sociology Reviews, 33 (5), 643-646 (Book Review).

Technical Reports

Leslie, Dacia, with Ramona Biholar, Heather Gallimore, Althea McBean, Claudette Wright (2020). Swift, Sure and Inclusive Justice through Effectively Caring for Witnesses: An Integrated Strategic Plan (73 pages). Kingston: Government of Canada and the United Nations Development Programme.

Leslie, Dacia. (2019). Operational Review of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security’s On the Job Training (Pilot) Project (80 pages). Kingston: Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

Leslie. Dacia. (2019). Report on the recommendations for the roll-out of the OJT Programme in the Operations of the Public Assistance Division of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, (68 pages). Kingston: Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

Leslie, Dacia. (2010).The beverage sub-sector’s position paper on the distribution of refined sugar. Kingston: Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association (47 pages).

Peer-reviewed Case Studies

Leslie, D. (2021, January 7)." A Global South CountryPerspective on Prison Overcrowding and COVID-19," FSS
Research Writer’s Conference, Golden Shore Beach Resort

Hotel, Lyssons, St. Thomas.

Leslie, Dacia. (2021). Preserving researcher safety while
investigating recidivism in a Caribbean context. In SAGE
Research Methods Cases in Sociology.

https://www.doi.org/10.4135/9781529759044

Leslie, D. (2021). The problem with snowballing in a
small island context. In SAGE Research Methods Cases in
Sociology. https://www.doi.org/10.4135/9781529759259

Leslie, D. (2020, November 4). Invited talk/Lecture- Guest
Speaker, ‘Exploring the Dynamics of Female Recidivism
in Jamaica’, Bournemouth University, United Kingdom.

Leslie, D. (2020, December 4). Virtual Seminar - Presenter,
Caribbean Perspectives on Criminology and Criminal
Justice, Volumes 1& 2.

Leslie, D. (2020, December 12). Virtual Seminar -
Presenter, Caribbean Child Development Centre (CCDC),
Open Campus UWI, Stakeholder Meeting.

Newspaper Article
Leslie, D. (2020, December 15). Correctional Reform
Beyond Coronavirus Pandemic. The Jamaica Gleaner.
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/commentary/20201215/
dacia-leslie-correctional-reform-beyond-coronaviruspandemic

Projects

December-2020-present: OECS Commission’s Development of a Social Inclusion and Social Protection Strategy for the OECS Region (Principal Investigator Prof. Aldrie Henry-Lee and team members Prof. Warren Benfield, Jennifer Jones, Samoya Smith). Project Role: M&E Specialist.

November 2020-present: Caribbean Development Bank’s Conduct of Disability Assessments in Borrowing Member Countries (Principal Investigators Prof. Aldrie Henry-Lee and Dr. Jacqueline Huggins). Project Role: M&E Specialist.

October 2020-present: Sub-Award of the Winrock International Jamaica-USA Child Protection Compact Project (Principal Investigators Prof. Aldrie Henry-Lee and Dr. Leith Dunn). Project Role: M&E Specialist.

June 2020-present: Rights of Children and Youth Partnership Project (RCYP), Judicial, Youth & Violence in Global Context (ECP 94, 19/20) (Dr Godfrey ST. Bernard- Co-Applicant & Team Lead, the University of the West Indies). Project Role: Local Researcher)

May 2020- present: Global Affairs Canada, JUST Programme and United Nations Development Programme, Witness Care Project-Phase 2 (with Dr Ramona Biholar, Heather Gallimore, Althea McBean, Caludette Wright, Petagaye McEwan-Lewis, Richard Leach, Orin Spence, Kara Harris, Sammara Reynolds). Project Role: Principal Investigator.

January 2020-present- Data-Driven Tertiary Crime Prevention, The Case of PEI. Project Role: Principal Investigator.

June 2019-present: MonaLaw & SALISES CPOM’s Gender Dimensions of Violence Prevention (Dr Ramona Biolar Lead Editor). Project Role: Co-Editor.

July 2017-present: Data-Driven Tertiary Crime Prevention in the Caribbean: The Case of Jamaica, the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis and Ghana (Richard Leach and Dr. Samuel Tweneboah-Kodua). Project Role: Principal Investigator.

Past Projects (2008-2020)
2019: Process Evaluation of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security’s On-the-Job Training Programme. (Principal Investigator: Dr Jimmy Tindigarakuyo with team members, Professor Warren Benfield and Nicole Thwaites). Project Role: Consultant

2019: Witness Care Conference funded by Global Affairs Canada, Justice Undertakings for Social Transformation (JUST) project and United Nations Development Project. Project Role: Lead Rapporteur and Conference Moderator, Day 2.

2018-2019: External evaluation of ‘A New Path’: promoting a healthy environment and productive alternatives for juvenile remandees and offenders in Jamaica. Funded by: General Secretariat of the Organisation of American States (Principal Investigator: Dr Jimmy Tindigarakuyo with team members Nicole Thwaites and Dr Kenisha Nelson). Project Role: Consultant.

2016: Caribbean Human Development Report-Multidimensional progress: Well-being Beyond Income, United Nations Development Programme. Project Role: Research Assistant.

2015-2016: The Changing Nature of Poverty and Inequality in the Caribbean’, funded by the Caribbean Development Bank (Principal Investigator: Dr Warren Benfield and team member Claudia Chambers). Project Role: Consultant.

2012: Health and Housing-Arbed Energy Efficiency Project, Welsh School of Architecture. Project Role: Field Researcher.

2011: Steps to- Work Pilot project funded by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Principal Investigator, Dr Philip Osei and team members, Dr David Tennant and Dr Warren Benfield). Project Role: Junior Consultant.

2011: Study on the Knowledge, Attitudes, Behaviour and Practices of Faith-Based Organisations towards Most at Risk Population Groups. Ministry of Health representing the Government of Jamaica and the United States Agency for International Development mission to Jamaica, Project, 532-HE-2010-AA Project (Research Consultant: Mrs Gillian Bernard. Role: Research Assistant-Focus Group Discussion.

2010-2011: Development of a Decentralisation Policy for Jamaica (Principal Investigator-Dr Philip Osei). Project Role: Junior Associate Consultant (Project Affiliate), The University of the West Indies Consulting.

2010: Development of a position paper on behalf of the Beverage Sub-Sector in Jamaica. Project Role: Research Consultant.

2010: Portmore Municipality Council Project, which was implemented by SALISES and commissioned by the Department of Local Government, Jamaica (Principal Investigators- Dr Philip Osei and Dr Jimmy Tindigarakuyo). Project Role: Coordinator.

2009: Community Profile Development Project, Social Development Commission. Project Role: Profile Writer.

2008-2009: Evaluation of Jamaica’s National Youth Service’s Summer Camp Programme SALISES, Mona. Project commissioned by the Inter-American Development Bank (Principal Investigator- Dr Jimmy Tindigarukayo). Project Role: Research Associate.

Graduate Studies

Current Supervision (Thesis Titles/Topics):

MPhil. Registered Students:

2020-present: Crime and Punishment in Barbados: The Impact of Colonialism on Contemporary Attitudes and Systems of Punishment in Barbados (UWI, Cave Hill). (panel member) (Dr Corin Bailey, Lead Supervisor).

2020-present: Deportation challenges: Exploring the interactive effects of coping strategies and gender on the reintegration of migrants deported to Jamaica (SALISES, UWI, Mona). (Co-Supervisor with Professor Aldrie Henry-Lee)

2020-present: The rehabilitation of “uncontrollable” children in Jamaica’s justice system (SALISES, UWI, Mona) (Supervisor).

2019-present: Reducing access to illegal guns: Understanding the murder nexus in Jamaica (SALISES, UWI, Mona) (Lead Supervisor with Dr Corin Bailey).

Courses Taught

Current: SALI6023- Monitoring & Evaluation (SALISES, UWI, Mona).

Research Cluster

Name of Cluster: Crime Prevention and Offender Management (CPOM)
Thematic Areas: data sharing and development, situational crime prevention, correctional reform, crime desistance, sentencing policy and practice, witness care etc.
Email: cpom.salisesresearchcluster@gmail.com

ABOUT
CPOM is a research cluster of the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social & Economic Studies (SALISES), The University of the West Indies. The group consists of academics and practitioners working on finding effective ways of preventing crime and recidivism, enforcing the law, and promoting criminal justice reform through research and collaboration.

AIMS
CPOM mainly seeks to:

Promote education and public awareness about crime and criminal justice issues that impact on inclusive sustainable development and cross-border relations;
Facilitate the sharing of expertise and, cross-pollination of ideas on crime prevention;
Develop a set of critical capabilities for national, regional and international leadership in the field;
Generate income and funding in support of the cluster’s research agenda;
Forge strategic partnerships to encourage active collaboration towards ensuring wider impact of the cluster’s research activities.

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Dacia Leslie, PhD

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