CCJS Doctoral candidate Raquel Hernandez has been awarded the Ann G. Wylie Dissertation Fellowship by the UMD Graduate School for AY 2024-2025. The fellowship provides full-time support for a semester to University of Maryland doctoral candidates who are in the latter stages of writing their dissertations.

Raquel's dissertation, titled "Identifying the Impact of Neighborhood Characteristics on Racial Inequalities in Prosecution in Baltimore City Circuit Court," delves into the intricate dynamics of prosecutorial decision-making and its implications for racial disparities within the criminal justice system.

Drawing on data from the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office and measures of neighborhood conditions including racial composition, unemployment, education, and poverty from the American Community Survey (ACS), Hernandez aims to shed light on how contextual factors intersect with individual experiences to shape outcomes at various stages of case processing. Through meticulous analysis and the utilization of geographic information systems (GIS), her research promises to offer valuable insights for policy development and initiatives aimed at addressing racial disparities in the criminal justice system.

"It is an honor to receive the Ann G. Wylie Fellowship, an award that will provide generous support as I progress in my dissertation focused on prosecutorial decision-making and disparities in Baltimore, Maryland," stated Raquel Hernandez. "I am grateful to the Ann G. Wylie committee and fellowship benefactors for this recognition and their support of my work dedicated to conducting research that can help inform policy in courts and communities."

Read more about the Wylie dissertation fellowship and the UMD Graduate School awards.