Gov. McKee Appoints RIC Prof. Jill Harrison to Serve on R.I. Ethics Commission

R.I. Gov. Dan McKee has appointed RIC Professor of Sociology and Director of the Justice Studies Program Jill Harrison to serve on the Rhode Island Ethics Commission.

“Jill’s extensive background in sociology and justice studies brings valuable perspective and insight to the Rhode Island Ethics Commission,” McKee said. “Her passion and knowledge in this field will help the commission continue its mission to uphold and ensure the highest standards of integrity in our state.”

Her extensive work in the criminal justice sector includes seven years of offering meditation and cognitive behavior training to Department of Corrections residents and leading correctional officer and cadet classes on Title VII, cultural competency and health and wellness. She recently served as a consultant and researcher with Maine State Prison’s Culture of Wellness Program, and earlier in her career served as an ad-hoc Spanish language interpreter for Maine’s Bureau of Intergovernmental Drug Enforcement. 

Harrison is a registered Court Appointed Special Advocate for children under state care, an active member of Jamestown’s Juvenile Hearing Board and served on the drug prevention coalition in Jamestown.

At Rhode Island College, Harrison teaches a variety of classes in criminology and sociology. Her research focuses on the intersection between mental health and crime. In her most recent work, she interviewed high-risk inmates to examine the relationship between trauma and recidivism.

She is the co-author of two books “Critical Thinking: Developing the Intellectual Tools for Social Justice” (Routledge 2020) and “Professional Writing for the Criminal Justice System” (NY: Springer Publishing Company, 2017). She is author of numerous articles and she peer reviews articles for the “Community Mental Health Journal” and the “Journal for Offender Rehabilitation.”
 
Upon formally receiving her appointment on Aug. 27, Jill said, “I am honored to serve on the Ethics Commission where I am committed to applying my background in sociology to uphold the highest of standards of integrity and transparency. As a social scientist, I bring to the commission an understanding of social behavior, institutional dynamics and the consequences of decisions that affect social groups and communities. These skills can enhance and ensure that the commission’s decisions are fair, equitable and aligned with the public interest.”

Rhode Island College congratulates Harrison on her new role.