
Ronit Peled-Laskov (PhD). Clinical criminologist, senior lecturer. The head of the Criminal Justice M.A. Program, in the Faculty of Criminology at Ashkelon Academic College, Israel. My research employs a comprehensive mixed-methods approach to examine topics related to justice-involved individuals, rehabilitation, and community reintegration.
One of the main topics is rehabilitation and community reintegration, with a particular focus on employment programs for individuals transitioning from incarceration in Israel. Through quantitative analyses, I have led collaborative studies with the Israeli Rehabilitation Authority, the Israel Prison Service, and the Central Bureau of Statistics that evaluated the impact of employment support programs on different measures such as recidivism rates and job placement outcomes (Bialer & Peled-Laskov, 2010; Peled-Laskov et al., 2018; 2019). These studies have consistently demonstrated significantly positive measures such as lower recidivism and higher employment rates for program participants.
A key aspect of my work involves exploring the psychological factors that influence successful reintegration. I have conducted studies on changes in locus of control, self-esteem, and normative perceptions among individuals participating in employment support programs. This research has revealed important differential impacts for Jewish and Arab participants, providing valuable insights into the cultural nuances of rehabilitation programs (Peled-Laskov, Shoham & Cojocaro, 2023; Shoham, Peled-Laskov & Cojocaro, 2024).
Through qualitative research on the experiences of Israeli individuals completing community supervision terms, I have led a study that identified critical pathways to successful reintegration and highlighted the vital role of employment and psychological support (Peled-Laskov et al., 2023). Additionally, I examined how employment counselors and therapists perceive support programs for justice-involved individuals, uncovering tensions between rehabilitation and supervision goals. This work has contributed to a more nuanced understanding of the challenges in implementing effective reentry programs.
Partnerships have been formed with research studies addressing the impact of various correctional programs, such as the effects of employment and mentoring on rehabilitation (e.g., Timor, Peled-Laskov & Etty Golan, 2023).
In recent years, I have expanded my research focus to include financial crimes (Peled-Laskov et al., 2024). I am currently conducting a study on circumstantial and personality factors in decision-making among individuals who have committed financial offenses. I am working on outlining a profile of individuals involved in financial crimes using functional measurement, derived from the Functional Theory of Cognition. This research incorporates both quantitative methods and qualitative interviews with therapists and individuals under community supervision. The findings from this study have the potential to inform policy decisions and improve rehabilitation strategies for individuals involved in financial offenses.
Currently, I am an affiliate faculty at the Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence (ACE!) within the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University. This opportunity arose from an invitation to serve as a visiting research scholar, supported by a grant from the Israel Institute as part of a visiting faculty program.
I co-authored a chapter titled "Community corrections in Israel-A humanistic approach" in the Routledge Handbook on Community Corrections, exploring the unique aspects of community-based corrections in Israel. Additionally, I collaborated on another chapter in the handbook, "International perspective on treatment as part of probation/parole," which provides a global view on the integration of treatment in community supervision programs.
My practical experience includes working in therapy-based totalitarian boarding schools for at-risk youth. For the last years, I have served as a public representative on parole committees and as an official correctional facility monitor for the Ministry of Internal Security, providing real-world context to my academic work.
Throughout my career, I have strived to bridge the gap between academic research and practical application in the field of criminal justice and rehabilitation. My work aims to contribute to the development of more effective, evidence-based strategies for community reintegration and crime prevention, with a focus on addressing the unique cultural and social contexts of different populations.