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ENGL 1102 Showcase Department of English
Spring 4-28-2024
Out of Sight, Out of Mind: The Hidden Issues and Entertainment Out of Sight, Out of Mind: The Hidden Issues and Entertainment
Within the World of Crime and Punishment Within the World of Crime and Punishment
John Charlton
jcharlton2733@gmail.com
Christian Sorrells
csorrel5@students.kennesaw.edu
Aaron Burney
aburney5@students.kennesaw.edu
Jonathan Yi
jyi21@students.kennesaw.edu
Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/engl1102
Part of the Criminal Law Commons, Mental and Social Health Commons, and the Rehabilitation and
Therapy Commons
Recommended Citation Recommended Citation
Charlton, John; Sorrells, Christian; Burney, Aaron; and Yi, Jonathan, "Out of Sight, Out of Mind: The Hidden
Issues and Entertainment Within the World of Crime and Punishment" (2024).
ENGL 1102 Showcase
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Out of Sight, Out of Mind: The Hidden Issues and Entertainment Within
the World of Crime and Punishment
John Charlton
Jonathan Yi
Christian Sorrells
Aaron Burney
2
There are many hidden sides to crime and entertainment around us. Such themes include
the hidden world of crime and the criminal minds behind such horrific crimes, the unspoken
illnesses leading to school violence, as well as how entertainment is linked to criminal activity,
and how entertainment is different for people who are incarcerated. There are many factors
related to crime, punishment, and entertainment that people generally do not think about such as
how inmates spend their time or what causes people to commit heinous acts of violence. There
are aspects to common, well-spoken topics that need to be investigated and studied to have a
complete understanding of crime, punishment, and the entertainment around these topics.
The following topics were chosen for multiple different reasons. The essay regarding the
impact of childhood trauma and the relationships with violence on college campuses was chosen
because children are easily impressionable and if children are raised in an unhealthy home, one
might suspect that the child might behave worse or may even grow up to do something
unforgivable. The true effect of violence on an adolescent and how it can lead to more violence
later in life needs to be studied.
The topic about Jeffrey Dahmer was chosen to analyze his crimes and how the internet
and media have shifted what the collective consciousness thinks about this person. The
significance of such a topic is that many other, much broader subjects have been the subject of
such influence from the collective world that it is sometimes difficult to understand the truth
unless you search deeper.
The topic of True Crime Documentaries and how they capture their audience, was chosen
based on how they bring awareness to things like the morality of our laws, and the violent
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challenges victims face and how the audience can use the story of the victims to make sure the
same thing never happens to them.
Lastly, the topic of what prisoners do for their entertainment is something that most
people do not think about, and yet it offers a glimpse into the minds of human beings for
creativity and adaptation while being in an environment so restrictive.
These ideas contribute to the crime and punishment conversation by diving into multiple
obscure subjects and looking at how they relate to crime, entertainment, or punishment. These
specific ideas have a direct relationship with the greater picture of crime and punishment and
provide a different perspective on problems such as school violence or questions why people are
so interested in true crime documentaries.
These topics must be addressed as this information is necessary to understand and
develop a complete understanding of how crime is created, how crime turns into entertainment,
and how criminals spend their time after being incarcerated. Each topic opens a new vein related
to crime and having information on the small details of crime and punishment improves the
understanding of crime in general and might answer some deep questions related to criminal
activity and crime. Even the simplest questions related to crime and punishment can have
complex answers.
4
John Charlton
Bradley
English 1102
4/28/24
The Impact of Childhood Trauma on Behavior and PTSD and the Relationships with Mass
Shooters on College Campuses
The problem of mass shootings on college campuses has started intense discussions and
raised questions about the factors contributing to such awful acts of violence. While
conversations often revolve around gun control, mental health, and campus security,
psychological trauma and PTSD have an equally important yet less explored role in college
campus shootings. Childhood trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can have a
legitimate correlation with the emergence of mass shooters in college campus settings.
Any number of traumatic events, including physical abuse, emotional mistreatment, and
neglect, can be classified as childhood trauma. Severe mistreatment such as physical abuse and
neglect strongly impacts behavior and PTSD. Most people, however, still encounter frequent
forms of abuse during their childhood, such as being yelled at nonstop by strict parents or
receiving harsh punishments at school. Although it may not seem significant at the time, simple
acts of mistreatment happen daily for some children, and it can still have damaging impacts on
the child. According to Amy Morin from Very Well Mind, “Childhood trauma disrupts a child's
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sense of safety and security, often leading to harmful and lasting effects on their psychological
well-being.” (Morin 3) A child must develop a way to protect themselves from what they think is
unsafe and how they protect themselves shapes their personality and behavior. Post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD) is a common trauma response that develops in people after being exposed
to horrible trauma such as abuse, neglect or emotional maltreatment.
Specifically, abuse and neglect during childhood leave lasting scars that frequently show
up as severe trauma. In the words of Hana Ames, "Children who experience neglect may develop
feelings of worthlessness, low self-esteem, and a lack of trust in others," (Ames 4) which
highlights how vital aspects of a child's identity, and social connections are compromised. The
ideology formed from these feelings can be detrimental to the child’s social skills and ability to
communicate with peers and adults. The lack of basic safety and care provided sets the stage for
trauma, which molds the children’s behavior and emotions toward themselves and others.
Childhood trauma affects the behavior, emotions, and productivity of adolescents.
Parents and teachers always observe and analyze children's behavior to determine what they
need, want, dislike, or find enjoyable. Some behavior, however, is confusing and out of character
for the child. Some behavioral patterns can indicate the presence of childhood trauma. The
National Child Traumatic Stress Network states that different behavioral patterns can be
indicative of childhood trauma. These may include aggression, impulsivity, self-destructive
behaviors, and difficulty forming and maintaining healthy relationships (NCTSN 2). Children's
behavior and emotions are affected differently by these changes in behavior and can also be an
indication of the development of PTSD.
Developing post-traumatic stress disorder is one long-lasting effect of trauma. When
children are exposed to extreme stress and trauma, they start to develop defense mechanisms to
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protect themselves from the perceived dangers around them. Being antisocial, avoiding stressors,
and timidity are caused by cognitive processes that affect the child’s behavior. The
Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin reports on research by Watts, Justin, and outlines the link
between emotional abuse as a child and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study
investigated the links between childhood emotional maltreatment and cognitive processes that
may directly explain the development of PTSD in victims. (Watts110) PTSD is proven to be a
common and direct symptom and effect of being exposed to trauma such as emotional
maltreatment as a child. This exposure harms the child in the short term and has long-term
consequences for the child.
The study also emphasizes the role that persistent, upsetting thoughts about traumatic
experiences play in the development of PTSD symptoms. Some apparent signs of PTSD include
repeatedly having negative thoughts about oneself, feeling guilty or responsible for the trauma,
and losing interest in activities that used to be enjoyable. (Watts111) These behavior changes
must be noticed for change to take place, but parents and teachers often fail to notice them,
leading the child to continue protecting themselves in unhealthy ways, which can result in PTSD.
Even though teens and young adults are less susceptible to trauma than children are, trauma can
still affect people at that age and beyond.
Trauma from childhood also affects young adults, including college students. College
students who have experienced childhood trauma may struggle with intrusive thoughts, trauma
flashbacks, and emotional distress. These difficulties frequently result in the diagnosis of certain
mental health conditions. Additionally, the National Child Traumatic Stress Network highlights
various symptoms and behaviors in young adults with a history of trauma. "Such symptoms can
include hypervigilance, avoidance of trauma-related stimuli, emotional dysregulation, and
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difficulties in forming and maintaining relationships." (NCTSN 2) Stressful settings, such as
colleges and universities, increase the pressure and effect of PTSD on a person and can cause
them to behave in unusual ways, affecting their social interactions, academic achievements, and
general health. The battle against these daily struggles and PTSD can be constant and drive some
people to commit unforgivable crimes.
Childhood trauma and PTSD can serve as a catalyst for violent behavior. This violent
behavior can lead to committing crimes and hurting themselves or others. The study "Offending
Behavior: The Role of Trauma and PTSD" explains that violent behavior can be sparked by
childhood trauma and PTSD. "Exposure to violence in childhood is associated with later violent
offending." (Eur 6) This emphasizes how aggressive cycles can be sustained by traumatic
experiences. These results highlight the link between prior trauma and current behavior, and the
complex processes by which early life trauma can resurface as violent behaviors in adulthood.
The behavior and decisions of people suffering from PTSD is proven to possibly lead them to
traumatize others in terrible ways.
There is an increased risk of post-traumatic stress disorder in individuals who
experienced trauma as children compared to later in life however extreme trauma such as
witnessing a terrible crime or being horribly injured can traumatize young adults in similar ways.
One of the worst tragedies that young adults like college students could experience is a school
shooting. The perpetrators of these attacks often have a history of mental health issues and
trauma, and they pass that pain and trauma to the victims of these terrible attacks.
It can be difficult to understand the motivations behind school shootings when there can
be a variety of factors. Some people may feel excluded and frustrated in a university setting,
which can make them want to exact revenge. According to Hester, students may turn to violence
8
to assert control in a chaotic setting and make their voices heard if they feel their concerns are
not being sufficiently heard or addressed. (Hester 151) Some students might experience
alienation or hate on campus, which can fuel resentment that turns violent. Whatever the case
may be, these acts of violence are unjustified and unforgivable. The people committing these
crimes are often not mentally well and have a history of trauma.
Individuals with untreated mental health conditions can be at higher risk of perpetrating
acts of violence, particularly if they have access to firearms. Mental health issues are usually a
direct result of trauma and when untreated can spiral into dangerous and violent situations such
as shootings. College campuses have increasingly become targets of mass shootings in recent
years. These tragic events not only result in the loss of life and physical injuries but also inflict
psychological trauma on survivors, witnesses, and the whole college community. The article
regarding mass shootings in the United States by Yelderman, Logan A, describes the importance
of understanding the mental health aspect in the context of mass shootings. They argue that
addressing mental health concerns is crucial for preventing such incidents and mitigating their
impact. (Yelderman 214) While trauma and mental health issues can be the root of these terrible
events, the shootings themselves create widespread trauma for hundreds of students, therefore
passing down the trauma to other victims.
Survivors of college campus shootings often endure profound psychological distress. One
of the most significant repercussions of a school shooting is the development of post-traumatic
stress disorder among survivors. In the aftermath of a shooting incident, survivors may
constantly feel on edge and fear for their safety even in secure environments. According to an
article by Siebert, Erin, exposure to such graphic traumatic events can lead to long-lasting
9
psychological distress, manifesting through symptoms such as intrusive memories, hyperarousal,
and avoidance behavior. (Siebert 182) College students who experience PTSD may then struggle
with academic performance, personal relationships, and overall well-being. These side effects
amplify the impact of the initial trauma and lead to long-term damage to a person’s life.
While survivors endure most of the trauma, friends, family members, and even
acquaintances of survivors may have trauma and develop PTSD symptoms called secondary
trauma. Mancini, Anthony states that psychological distance from the event plays a crucial role
in determining the extent of trauma transmission. (Mancini 1349) Even individuals distant from
the incident can experience distress if they have a strong emotional connection to the survivors
or the campus community.
The study by Mancini also provides insights into the PTSD symptoms in the aftermath of
college campus shootings. Their study, "Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Near and Far: Symptom
Networks from 2 to 12 Months after the Virginia Tech Campus Shootings," provides an example
of how PTSD symptoms evolve over time. From the immediate aftermath to months and years
later, survivors continued to struggle with the psychological aftermath of the shooting. A long-
lasting state of distress can significantly impair academic functioning and mental health,
potentially culminating in future acts of violence or self-harm in extreme cases. (Mancini 1353)
This is a real school shooting that caused trauma for hundreds of students and made national
headlines. The pain and PTSD it causes are all too real and parents and students around the
country were affected whether directly or indirectly because of the fear and suffering one person
caused.
The effects were watched closely and studied to cage the true scale of this one act of
violence. Some students never returned to school, some parents did not want their children to go
10
back, and security was increased significantly to ease this problem back the trauma and pain
remained. These effects are difficult to cope with, and the fight against them is a long one but
these effects can be lessened with help from loved ones, therapy, and even psychological
services.
On a more positive note, trauma and PTSD can build strength in a person as they grow
older. With proper treatment and support, people who have experienced traumatic events from
childhood mistreatment to witnessing a campus shooting can live a normal life afterward. While
childhood trauma can have harmful effects, research by Li says psychiatry describes the
resilience inherent in individuals. “Despite adversity, many survivors of childhood trauma
demonstrate remarkable resilience, finding strength in their experiences and overcoming
challenges.” (Li 637) Understanding the impact of childhood trauma can empower college
students to get support, practice resilience, and attempt to heal themselves from their past
traumas. Campuses also provide aid and professional help after traumatic campus events to help
students cope with the pain and trauma and to help them live normal lives.
There is a profound and often devastating impact of childhood trauma on behavior and
the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), particularly within the context of
mass shootings on college campuses. Through the exploration of psychological factors and
research studies, it has become evident that individuals who have experienced childhood trauma
are at a higher risk of developing PTSD and violent behaviors.
Understanding the complex nature of mass shootings on college campuses requires an
understanding of the influence of childhood trauma on behavior and the development of post-
traumatic stress disorder. There is a defined connection that exists between PTSD, childhood
trauma, and the alarming increase in mass shootings. It has become apparent that people who
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develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), can lead to severe acts of violence like mass
shootings when left unattended.
Furthermore, this research has drawn attention to the significance of early intervention
and the importance of mental health support networks in reducing the risk factors linked to
PTSD and childhood trauma. Educational facilities can play a crucial role in preventing tragedies
on college campuses by providing enough resources for trauma- related health care and
developing an environment of openness and support.
Works Cited
Amy Morin “Understanding the Effects of Childhood Trauma.” verywell mind, 20, Nov 2023,
Understanding the Affects of Childhood Trauma
Eur J Psychotraumatol “Offending behavior: the role of trauma and PTSD” PubMed Central
Jul 20, 2012 Offending Behavior and the role of Trauma and PTSD
Hana Ames “Childhood neglect: Signs, effects, and how to heal” Medical News Today
November 14, 2023, Childhood Neglect: Signs, Effects, and how to Heal.
Hester, Erin B., et al. “Inoculating Against Disillusionment: Protecting Student Confidence in
Universities Before a Campus Shooting Crisis.” Journal of School Violence, vol. 21, no. 2, Apr.
2022, pp. 147–160. EBSCOhost, https://doi.org/10.1080/15388220.2022.2032115.
Li, Chao, et al. “Impact of Childhood Maltreatment on Adult Resilience.” BMC Psychiatry, vol.
23, no. 1, Aug. 2023, p. 637. EBSCOhost, https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-023-05124-w
Mancini, Anthony D., et al. “Posttraumatic Stress Disorder near and Far: Symptom Networks
from 2 to 12 Months after the Virginia Tech Campus Shootings.” Clinical Psychological
12
Science, vol. 7, no. 6, Nov. 2019, pp. 1340–1354. EBSCOhost,
https://doi.org/10.1177/2167702619859333.
Siebert, Erin C., et al. “Post-Traumatic Stress and Alcohol-Related Problems Following a
College Shooting: Effect of Help-Seeking.” Journal of School Violence, vol. 17, no. 2, Jan. 2018,
pp. 180–193. EBSCOhost, https://doi.org/10.1080/15388220.2017.1292918.
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network “Symptoms and Behavior” Symptoms and
Behaviors of Children who Experienced Trauma
Watts, Justin, et al. “Childhood Emotional Maltreatment and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in
the Context of Centrality of the Event and Intrusive Rumination.” Rehabilitation Counseling
Bulletin, vol. 64, no. 2, Jan. 2021, pp. 108–17. EBSCOhost,
https://doi.org/10.1177/0034355220925889.
Yelderman, Logan A., et al. “Mass Shootings in the United States: Understanding the
Importance of Mental Health and Firearm Considerations.” Psychology, Public Policy, and Law,
vol. 25, no. 3, Aug. 2019, pp. 212–223. EBSCOhost, https://doi.org/10.1037/law0000200
13
Aaron Burney
Brandi Bradley
English 1102
4/28/24
What Prisoners do for fun
Within a correctional facility, passing the time seems to echo within the prison's ordain
and blandness. The question of how prisoners spend their time behind bars isn’t a question of
curiosity for most, but it is a very important topic to discuss. The incarcerated face different
challenges due to them being incarcerated, having a very limited source of entertainment.
The reason a prisoner should have entertainment is vital to keeping the peace in a prison.
It can make the prisoner show more empathy, allowing for a more peaceful prison. With this it
keeps prisoners more empathetic with other prisoners and the prison staff. (pg.857) “Increased
empathy for both dogs and humans are another documented benefit of participating in DTPs
(Currie, 2008; Davis, 2007; Ormerod, 2008). In her general discussion of DTP effects, Ormerod
(2008) wrote, “neither group [(dogs and offenders)] was wanted by society . . . In witnessing
14
improvements in the dogs’ behavior prisoners were motivated to effect change in themselves.”
With that, prison entertainment can also reduce tension with prisoners and staff.
With recreational activities in prison, these activities can reduce violence between
prisoners and prison guards. With the dog training program, prisoners can relate to other
prisoners and the staff at the prison easier, reducing violence inside the prison. (pg.857) “Her
participants also reported that they found it easier to bond and relate to other people now that
they had created a bond with their dog, peers, and prison staff (Currie, 2008). Davis (2007) found
that participants had better relationships with authority figures because of their work with the
DTP as well as improved bonding, teamwork, and trust.” This gives a clear depiction of why the
prison gives the prisoners recreational activities while behind bars. With these sources of
entertainment, they are very diverse. One of these sources of entertainment includes prison
programs.
Prison programs play a vital role for supporting the well-being and mental health of
incarcerated individuals, giving them opportunities to reflect, to grow personally, develop a skill,
and engage with others meaningfully. With all the diverse prison programs available in all
correctional facilities, dog training is one of the most impactful and enjoyable prison programs.
The dog training program is just as it sounds, where a prisoner trains a dog from a young
age to learn the basics such as potty training, fetching, etc. This program is not only a wholesome
program but a very great example of a prison program keeping entertained. In the documentary,
“Allowing Inmates to Train and Care for Puppies” by Perri Peltz the prisoners were given
interviews about their experience with this program, and all the prisoners gave astounding
reviews. At the time mark 12:37 in the documentary you can see how all the prisoners smile and
are happily being interviewed as they call for their dogs in different ways. This proves how the
15
prisoners find this program not only entertaining but also a sense of joy. Another one of these
prison programs is called Project BUILD.
Project BUILD is used to help the youth in detention centers turn their lives around and
help them overcome the obstacles in their area, such as gang violence and crime. With this
program, it keeps the prisoners entertained and lets them learn something about life. his means
they can be entertained with the prison program while being rehabilitated by it. “Lurigio and
colleagues (2000) found that treatment group youth who participated in Project BUILD (Broader
Urban Involvement and Leadership Development) had lower rates of recidivism, compared with
non-Project BUILD control group youth, at the 1-year follow-up (33 percent versus 57 percent,
respectively). This difference was statistically significant.” This evidence shows how the
prisoners are entertained by this program, and it has a long-lasting effect on the prisoners.
Another prison program is the re-entry program.
The prison program, “Allegheny County (Pa.) Jail-Based Reentry Specialist Program”
this program is used to help prepare prisoners for release and to give them with a source of
people who are in the same predicament as they are. “This was a two-phase reentry program with
an overall goal of reducing recidivism and improving inmates’ transition into the community.
Phase 1 provided inmates with in-jail programming and services to prepare them for release.
Phase 2 provided inmates with up to 12 months of supportive services in the community. The
program was rated Effective. Program participants had a 10 percent chance of rearrest, compared
with a 34 percent chance for the comparison group.” With all these programs that keep prisoners
entertained there are some other activities besides prison programs that prisoners can do for their
recreation and entertainment, that being the libraries.
16
Libraries do indeed serve a vital role in the confines of correctional facilities for the
incarcerated. These libraries offer a lifeline to the outside world by means of an imaginative
escape from the harsh reality of prison. That means immersing oneself in a book will transport
the reader into different worlds allowing a prisoner to pass the time while incarcerated. “The
broader study (Garner, 2017) also found that prison libraries and reading in prison provided a
means of a cognitive escape from a harsh reality, a capacity to find a community of like-minded
people within the prison and to maintain a pathway back to life and loved ones “outside the
fence”. This gives a clear description of what the prisoners who use reading books from the
library did for their free time while incarcerated. With sample reports coming from a male
prison,” This example from the article shows how the older inmates use their time. Another
example is the benefits the library has on prisoners.
With the prisoners being in a stressful place, devoid of their loved ones, the prisoners
who use the library have found that their mental health and overall well-being have improved a
lot. This means that prisoners can stay entertained and must keep their mental health in check.
“In this model, Finlay states that prison libraries can have a positive impact on prisoner
wellbeing and mental health, identity transformation and personal development, social capital
and social bonds, hope and motivation along with providing support for the gaining of
knowledge, skills and understanding.” Libraries also have a means of making them less violent.
Books in prisons offer entertainment and stimulation for the mind and serve as a tool for
reducing violence among inmates. By providing access to books and literature, correctional
facilities can make a safe environment for prisoners and prison staff alike. “Coupled with the
findings that providing prisoners with access to books, reading, and libraries will have a positive
influence on the prisoners’ experience of time, the value of prison libraries and reading in prison
17
becomes obvious. Managers of correctional institutions who recognize the positive influence of
books, libraries and reading in the lives of prisoners an impact prisoner wellbeing, behavior, and
their experience of incarceration.” With this showing of the libraries the outdoor activities are
also a way for prisoners to stay entertained while incarcerated. One of these activities is jogging.
Jogging is one of the cornerstones of physical activities within the confined spaces of a
prison environment. In the absence of a traditional recreational ways of exercise, such as a gym
or an outdoor field, jogging can offer a practical and accessible way for a prisoner to stay in
shape and maintain their physical health and to soothe the itch of feeling trapped while
incarcerated. “Just under one-third (N=21; 31%) of respondents devoted part of the day to
exercise which ranged from walking around the block and the yard to more robust solitary
pursuits like running the track or lifting weights in the gym to team-organized sports.” Another
one of these outdoor activities is employment.
With the prisoners being stuck within the confines of a correctional facility the prisoners
seek employment within the facility to make some quick cash. This means that prisoners are
entertained with their jobs or even with the thought of getting paid, “Employment in older age
has been linked with maintaining well-being (Hinterlong, Morrow-Howell, & Rozario,
Citation2007) by providing structured time, regular activity, social contact, collective purpose,
and social identity (Harnois & Gabriel, Citation2000) as well as being key to the financial
security of the older worker (Munnell, Webb, Delorme, & Golub-Sass, Citation2012). Lifelong
learning for older adults has been deemed beneficial for reducing depression and improving
mental fitness (Jenkins, Citation2012; Thompson & Foth, Citation2005).” There are also plenty
of other ways that prisoners stay entertained while behind bars.
18
In the article “Experiencing time in prison: the influence of books, libraries and reading”
by Jane Garner, it talks about some brief examples of what prisoners do for fun “In addition to
using the library and reading, the leisure activities available to prisoners may include walking or
jogging around an oval, playing basketball, lifting weights, sewing, piecing together jigsaws and
watching television in a communal area.” These activities give a brief look into the things that
incarcerated individuals do while behind bars. Also, in the article it talks about how the prisoners
use the library, “Many people choose to read for leisure and recreation. This activity is distinct
from reading to educate or reading as an activity associated with paid employment. Although
many people choose reading as a form of recreation, choosing to read to pass time is
Experiencing time in prison 1035 not a commonly stated motivator for readers (Rainie et al.,
2012). Rainie et al. (2012) found that the greatest motivation to read is to experience pleasure.”
This gives a clear description of what the prisoners who used to read books from the library did
for their free time while incarcerated. Some other examples are with the older inmates, and how
they spend their time behind bars.
Some more examples of how older prisoners should stay entertained is in the article “A
Day in the Life: How Time Is Spent Doing Time among Older Inmates.” with sample reports
coming from a male prison, “The data presented are part of a larger study on prison life for the
elderly(referred to as the “parent” study) carried out in a (male), medium security, northeastern
state prison.” These reports show that this source can be relied on. With that, these older
prisoners have been reported for what they do for fun, while behind bars, “The three most
common activities to predominate among reports (apart from mundane tasks of eating, personal
hygiene, and prison head counts) were exercise, employment, and program participation.” The
article on page 11, also go into these activates of these older inmates such as exercise, “Just
19
under one-third (N=21; 31%) of respondents devoted part of the day to exercise which ranged
from walking around the block and the yard to more robust solitary pursuits like running the
track or lifting weights in the gym to team-organized sports.” This example from the article
shows how the older inmates use their time
In conclusion, with my findings these examples of how prisoners stay entertained provide
an understanding of the ways in which prisoners stay entertained. This not only shows how the
prisoners stay entertained but also how the prison keeps the prisoners entertained.
Work Cited
Amtmann, John. “Strength Training in Prisons.” Strength & Conditioning Journal (Lippincott
Williams & Wilkins), vol. 25, no. 1, Feb. 2003, pp. 44–46. EBSCOhost,
search.ebscohost.com/login.aspxdirect=true&AuthType=shib&db=edb&AN=115289830&site=e
ds-live&scope=site.
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Anderson, Maya. “The Constitutionality of Faith-Based Prison Programs: A Real-World
Analysis Based in New Mexico.” New Mexico Law Review, vol. 37, no. 3, July 2007, pp. 487–
532. EBSCOhost,
search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=shib&db=lgs&AN=502569449&site=
eds-live&scope=site.
Cooke, Barbara J., and David P. Farrington. “The Effectiveness of Dog-Training Programs in
Prison: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Literature.” Prison Journal, vol. 96, no.
6, Dec. 2016, pp. 854–76. EBSCOhost,
search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=shib&db=edshol&AN=edshol.hein.jo
urnals.prsjrnl96.47&site=eds-live&scope=site.
Filinson, R. “A Day in the Life: How Time Is Spent Doing Time among Older Inmates.”
Activities, Adaptation and Aging, vol. 40, no. 2, Apr. 2016, pp. 125-149–149. EBSCOhost,
https://doi.org/10.1080/01924788.2016.1161339.
Garner, Jane. “Experiencing Time in Prison: The Influence of Books, Libraries and Reading.”
Journal of Documentation, vol. 76, no. 5, Aug. 2020, pp. 1033–50. EBSCOhost,
https://doi.org/10.1108/JD-07-2019-0128.
National Institue of Justice “Programs for Incarcerated Persons – Rated Programs and practices”
https://crimesolutions.ojp.gov/topics/corrections reentry/subtopic/Inmate%20programs
Peltz Perri, “Allowing Inmates to Train and Care for Puppies” Only Human, Jul 31, 2022,
“Prison Dogs Programme: Allowing Inmates To Train and Care for Puppies | Only Human”
Prison Fellowship “Typical Prison Day” Prison Fellowship 2024
https://www.prisonfellowship.org/resources/training-resources/in-prison/faq-typical-day-prison/
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Rodriguez-Menes, Jorge. “Implementation and Effectiveness of In-Prison Programs for Intimate
Partner Violence Perpetrators: Evidence from Spain.” Criminal Justice and Behavior, vol. 50,
no. 6, June 2023, pp. 806–29. EBSCOhost,
search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=shib&db=edshol&AN=edshol.hein.jou
rnals.crmjusbhv50.50&site=eds-live&scope=site.
Velez, Gullia “Things to do in prison,” Quartz Mountain, May 27, 2023
https://quartzmountain.org/article/things-to-do-in-prison
Jonathan Yi
Professor Brandi Bradley
English 1102
22
21 April 2024
The Impact of Biases on the Perception of Jeffrey Dahmer
Social media and news outlets are responsible for influencing how people think about
many different things in life, which also includes opinions about criminals and justice. Jeffrey
Dahmer’s case is one such that people began to have differing opinions about an objectively
horrible man due to selective reporting, biases on social media, and passing trends which led to
such opinions.
Jeffrey Dahmer was a serial killer convicted to 15 life sentences in the year 1992 for 15
confessed killings. He was proved to have killed multiple people, which led to such a conviction.
While he had passed only two days later, many different media have been created about his
being, such as Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story on Netflix created in 2022, or the
book My Friend Dahmer: A Graphic Novel by John “Derf” Backderf in 2012. The implications
of Jeffrey Dahmer’s characters and actions have been well documented after his life, and such
characterizations of him are not all negative. These characterizations are also partly due to
human nature, more specifically the human concept of gross fascination
Gross fascination or Morbid curiosity is a concept which states that people find
disgusting, gross, or even scary things more fascinating than normal scenarios. It doesn’t
necessarily mean getting enjoyment out of such situations, but more being curious about such
things like death, where people want to find out and research more. Common examples of such
phenomena are true crime documentaries. People find the acts of serial killers and details
fascinating, and naturally want to learn more, through their own research, or even through
happenstance, like from overhearing conversations or through the world of media. Learning of
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these things through media is more common than not, but it also comes with a problematic
occurrence of media bias.
Media bias is not an uncommon or new occurrence, but with the transition to the digital
age, it has become more relevant than ever before. Media bias is when there is selection
reporting within news. The saying that “completely unbiased news doesn’t exist” is accurate to a
certain degree, but news needs context and scope to be at least partially unbiased. Bias was more
limited before the advent of digital media, as the only way to present these biases were through
the newspapers, radio, or televised broadcasts. The introduction of commonplace digital context
and viewer interaction, the line between bias and unbiased gets murky.
The relationship between media quality and biases can also be explained through the
graph made by Sangwoo Yang, where there exists a relationship between quality and profit, bias
here is a non-relationship between bias and quality, meaning that it does not matter how extreme
the bias is, it does not necessarily mean the quality of the news being reported is bad. However,
the introduction of online news media and journalism has led to an even greater disparity
between bias and unbiased. Online news media and journalism has led to an even greater
disparity between bias and unbiased, however.
The ascent of more commonplace access to news through things like the internet and
social networking sites (SNS) had led to the advent of more bias and disinformation spreading
throughout the world. The internet gave people a mostly anonymous place where they are free to
post whatever they want anybody to see. Everything that gets posted on the internet is forever on
the internet, which leads to misinformation spreading and the Mandela effect, where many
people remember the wrong thing to be correct, becoming more prominent. Thus, people believe
misinformation to be truths in their own minds, as that ‘truth’ is what they are being fed.
24
People also tend to take information online as the truth more so than in real life. Since the
information online is easy to access, people tend not to factually take most information given to
them online. People use websites like WebMD and google for quick and easy facts, which causes
people to not fully understand what information they are getting, leading to misinformation, as is
the case with Jeffrey Dahmer’s character.
Minor facts about Dahmer are different from how they are presented in the multitudes of
formats shown about him, from books to documentaries. Some minor information such as
Dahmer’s neighbor were misaligned from reality, and while that does not matter as much as the
other important evidence that was correct and factually proven, it does not take away from the
fact that not every bit of information is absolute, and such things in the form of entertainment
should be taken with discretion.
Another form of bias comes from the way that information is handled and regurgitated.
Some information is often omitted to create more interesting stories. People view these stories as
fact, without taking proper procedures to research or confirm information. For example, Jeffrey
Dahmer’s 1993 interview was shown by the channel Inside Edition. The video of the interview is
cut to strangely show more human characteristics than what otherwise would have been. They
use context like Dahmer had “became warped by evil impulses” (Inside the Mind of Jeffrey
Dahmer: Serial Killer’s Chilling Jailhouse Interview 13:02-13:07) and “what was the turning
point for you…realize you had done something terribly wrong” (14:30-14:37) to try and frame
the perspective that he was not evil beforehand. This shows more humanity than if he had said
what he did without editing, or just with the facts themselves.
This kind of subjective showing tries to paint the narrative of Jeffrey Dahmer being more
of a tragic figure than a villain. A narrative is being created as such to show Dahmer, a serial
25
killer, in a more positive and tragic light, which is then being shown to an audience who might
not know the full extent of his actions. This then leads to uninformed and positive opinions being
created about him and then spreading even more. This phenomenon is happening all online,
where information can spread quickly without much of a chance to change or be checked.
One such opinion of Jeffrey Dahmer was that he was simply a man who was lonely. The
narrative that he was dejected and abandoned was what led to his actions of killing over a dozen
people and that it was a sad occurrence for a good man. This all culminates in the greater
unknowing audience garnering sympathy for such a man. Sympathy in cases like this is negative,
instead of its normally positive connotation. This form of sympathy detracts from both the
relatives of the victims of Dahmer, and the many people who helped to bring him to justice.
The victims in this situation have the worst outcome. Due to the fame of the serial killer
himself, the victims themselves mostly get forgotten. It is known that there were 17 victims in
his murders, but unless extra research is performed, the names, genders, and professions of those
said victims are mostly forgotten. The outcome of the narrative and following empathy is that the
actual people who suffered are forgotten in place of the person who committed these evil acts.
Separately, there also exists a bias in the form of the people’s own opinions. People form
thoughts about matters independently, through separate rumors they have heard, or they have just
their ideas, like what happened with another convict, Debra Lafave. Lafave was a teacher
arrested with two charges of sexual battery on her student between twelve and fifteen (Angelides
72). One outspoken opinion of her was not that she was a horrible person, but that she was “too
pretty for prison,” as stated by The Daily Express. Though what she did and acted upon was a
crime that she was convicted of, people instead focused on physical characteristics, such as being
pretty, or looking good. This can similarly be said for Jeffrey Dahmer.
26
People focus on aspects of Jeffrey Dahmer that were about his violent acts, but the things
that did not matter as much in the context of his actions. Such things as him looking sad or
feeling sorry for what he did because he was lonely. Such factors were not supposed to detract
from his actions of killing people, but they did because it was what news and online media
decided to emphasize to create a character.
These characteristics trying to be depicted from news and media has also spread to other
intellectual works made by separate creators. For instance, the book made by Derf Backderf and
the 2017 film directed by Marc Meyers used the name My Friend Dahmer. The use of the word
friend implies a positive connotation. People who see the title with no indication of knowledge of
Jeffrey Dahmer might initially view him as a good man without any knowledge of who he is and
without looking for further research on him. This language is also in stark contrast to other works
such as the Netflix documentary titled "Dahmer – Monster: the Jeffrey Dahmer Story” which has
a negative context. This shows there is an audience that can view Jeffrey Dahmer positively.
This dichotomy of Jeffrey Dahmer’s character contrasts with that of many other famous
people. Killers such as “Jack the Ripper,” John Wayne Gacy, Ted Bundy, and the Zodiac Killer
are not looked at as positively or as fascinated as is with Jeffrey Dahmer. This is because of the
several different depictions of Jeffrey Dahmer as a killer, humanizing him in ways that other
killers are not, all for either profit or because of many different biases.
Another reason for Jeffrey Dahmer being looked at with different scrutiny than others is
the sheer amount of different entertainment media being made of Jeffrey Dahmer. The online
exposure of Jeffrey Dahmer has now extended beyond simple news shows or books but has then
become something else entirely. One such instance is the previously stated Netflix show about
Dahmer. The problem then becomes the portrayal of such characters who were then made to be
27
entertaining to the masses, instead of the probable likeness of the actual person; therefore, the
character on screen being shown is not indicative of the real person. This becomes an issue when
the changes are made to make the character more likable.
For instance, many politeness principles, as studied in the Journal of Applied Linguistics
and Literacy, are intertwined with Jeffrey Dahmer in the documentary, therefore changing some
of the perspectives of his character (Firdaus and Zuraida 12). Characteristics of tact, modesty,
generosity, and other positive traits are shown in the positive light of Dahmer’s character,
signifying him as a moral character in some respects. This is the change of opinionating the
uninformed viewer that Dahmer had good characteristics, even as a killer.
The storytelling of such a documentary can also implicate many different emotions
depending on the portrayal of such a character. The documentary was shown to have triggered
many different emotions within the audience, not all of which were necessarily negative, but
instead positive. Helge Ridderstrom introduced a term called kama pida, which means “moved
by pain” in Sanskrit (3). The documentary uses emotions of disgust and horror to show the
effects of the killer on the victims and their families, but also has somewhat of an unintended
consequence. This consequence is the fascination of people towards the grotesque. Some people
tend to become fascinated by the disgusting which is an effect of such a documentary with wild
imagery that people would abhor. There needs to be careful consideration with shows depicting
criminals and killers so as not to project them in a way that makes them more fascinating than
possible.
News outlets, media, and even entertainment industries need to be careful in what they
announce or release to the public to see, so that cases such as this are less likely to repeat. The
increased fascination and spotlight put on the killer Jeffrey Dahmer has the unintended
28
consequences of erasing the names of those implicated in his actions and more fame towards
someone that has negatively impacted the lives of many.
Work Cited
Angelides, Steven. “Hot for Teacher: The Cultural Erotics and Anxieties of Adolescent
Sexuality.” Media International Australia (8/1/07-Current), no. 135, May 2010, pp. 71–81.
EBSCOhost, https://doi.org/10.1177/1329878X1013500110.
Conversations with a Killer: The Jeffrey Dahmer Tapes. Directed by Joe Berlinger, Buffalo 8
Productions, 2022. Netflix, https://netflix.com/title/81173345
Hughes, Gary. “Jeffrey Dahmer Newspaper Headlines.” Historic Newspapers, 24 Jan. 2022,
www.historic-newspapers.co.uk/blog/jeffrey-dahmer-newspaper-analysis/#17-killed.
29
Lankford, Adam, and Jenna K. Hayes. “Could Serial Killing Actually Be Addictive? A Close
Examination of Compulsion and Escalation in the Jeffrey Dahmer Case.” Sexual Health &
Compulsivity, vol. 29, no. 3/4, July 2022, pp. 198–224. EBSCOhost,
https://doi.org/10.1080/26929953.2022.2126416.
“Inside the Mind of Jeffrey Dahmer: Serial Killer’s Chilling Jailhouse Interview.” YouTube,
Uploaded by Inside Edition, 27 Nov. 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWjYsxaBjBI.
My Friend Dahmer. Directed by Marc Meyers, written by Marc Meyers and John Backderf,
performances by Ross Lynch, Alex Wolff, Anne Heche, and Vincent Kartheiser, FilmRise, 2017
“Never-before-Seen Footage of 1993 Jeffrey Dahmer Interview.” YouTube, Uploaded by Inside
Edition, 6 Oct. 2022, www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QTTDmqc_3E.
Şahinoğlu, Belkıs, et al. “Implications of Media Reports of Crime for Public Trust and Social
Support: A Conceptual Analysis of Individuals’ Psychological Wellbeing.” Humanities & Social
Sciences Communications, Feb. 2024, pp. 1–9. EBSCOhost, https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-
02848-2.
Spinde, Timo, et al. “How Do We Raise Media Bias Awareness Effectively? Effects of
Visualizations to Communicate Bias.” PloS One, vol. 17, no. 4, Apr. 2022, p. e0266204.
EBSCOhost, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0266204.
Yang, Sangwoo. “Media Bias with Asymmetric Media Quality.” Applied Economics Letters, vol.
29, no. 19, Nov. 2022, pp. 1810–14. EBSCOhost,
https://doi.org/10.1080/13504851.2021.1963401.
30
Christian Sorrells
Prof. Bradley
English 1102
April 24, 2024
What is it about True Crime Documentaries that Captivate their Audience?
True Crime Documentaries, with their focus on captivating the audience with gripping
narratives and investigation of real-life cases, often target specific demographic groups,
including women and members of the LGBTIQQ community. Through the focus of their
31
storytelling and the depiction of harrowing true events, these documentaries offer the audience a
window into the darker side of humanity, while shedding light on the legal principles we have in
place.
True Crime Documentaries, with their focus on engaging storytelling and compelling
narratives, are intended to captivate women as their primary audience. The victims of True
Crime Documentaries are usually women and “is often tragically familiar and human, with
situations that all of us could easily fall into (Kim Jean). For example, And So I Stayed, a
documentary filmed by Natalie Pattillo and Daniel A. Nelson, “makes the realities of domestic
violence much harder to ignore, by focusing on the lived experiences of three survivors who
were incarcerated for killing their partners” (Cogan, Marin). Nikki Addimando, one of the
survivors in the documentary, was a mother of two who was put on trial for the second-degree
murder of her husband. The True Crime Documentary focused on the heartbreaking moments
that Addimando had gone through, trying not to cry as she spoke to her children. Therefore, by
bringing more awareness to domestic violence, it gives the audience a better idea of when
someone is being abused and how they could prevent a worse outcome. Meaning that although
the victim could have been beaten, raped, or kidnapped, they might have been living a similar
life as you, just before.
True Crime Documentaries do not only target the women audience though, in some
cases, they may target the LGBTIQQ community. For example, in the True Crime Documentary
about Jeffrey Dahmer, he “sought out his victims, mostly black gay men, at gay bars, malls, and
bus stops and lured them home with promises of money or sex and gave them alcohol laced with
drugs before strangling them to death” (McEvoy, Colin, pg.2). Dahmer would then dismember
his victims and commit acts of cannibalism, keeping some body parts as souvenirs. This created
32
an outbreak of fear in the LGBTIQQ community, many believed they were now targets for being
drugged and later murdered. In an article by Jo Yurcaba, “Black queer Milwaukeeans on
Netflix’s Jeffrey Dahmers series: ‘How dare you?’”. Eric Wynn who was a local at the time of
Dahmer’s killings was interviewed, and he stated that he was a regular at one of the gay bars
Dahmer got his victims from. This shows that although Wynn was not the victim, he could have
become one.
In fear of becoming the victim, True Crime Documentaries offer the audience stories of
how the victim escaped their attacker. Understanding what the victim did to get away provides
the audience with a way of protecting themselves if a comparable situation were to happen. For
example, Jennifer Asbenson, a 19-year-old woman, who had missed the bus to her job, was
offered a ride by Andrew Uridales. She was hesitant at first but ended up accepting his offer,
believing that she could take him if he tried anything. After dropping off Asbenson, Uridales
offered to take her out but was given a fake number. Infuriated, Urdiales's response was to wait
for her and offer another ride. Abenson accepted the ride from Uridales and after driving for a
bit, Uridales exploded into a rage and began beating Abenson before stuffing her in his trunk.
Luckily, Abenson was able to escape Urdiales by popping open his truck from the inside, saving
her from a horrible fate, By discerning the shared variable among the victims' circumstances, we
can better understand how it “may lead the audience to incorporate a system that allows them to
“detect sociopathic “red flags” in the personalities and demeanor of single men they encounter”
(Bonn, Scott). It should also prevent the audience from putting themselves in bad situations,
where it would be more suitable to become a victim, like walking down the street alone.
In addition, True Crime Documentaries allow the audience to exhibit morbid fascination
with the idea of how someone could commit such heinous crimes and continue with life, living
33
behind a facade. Like how "Serial killers tantalize people much like traffic accidents, train
wrecks or natural disasters. The public’s fascination with them can be seen as a specific
manifestation of its more general fixation on violence and calamity” (Bonn, Scott). (example)
This means, that just as people may find themselves unable to look away from an accident, the
same thing can be said with serial killers. The allure lies in the idea of how someone can kill
without any remorse for the victim because society has made significant attempts to prevent
senseless killings worldwide. Understanding the concept of what drives people to inflict harm,
suffering, or destruction on others, leads to the exploration of patterns, triggers, and contributing
factors that might have shaped them to be that way. For example, in the True Crime
Documentary about Ted Bundy he looks like a charming white male, but he was convicted for
the murder of dozens of women. Theories speculated that Bundy’s motive was the ending of his
relationship. The victims were all like his ex in some way. Bundy would gain the trust of the
women, abduct them, rape them, and finally kill them. Afterwards, he would go on back to
society like nothing had happened. Bundy did this repeatedly, and as the missing people started
to pile up, they noticed a similarity between the women, and that all led back to Bundy. On the
run from the police, it seemed as though he enjoyed the chase, teasing the police upon his
capture. This goes to show the audience how they usually see the “sheep’s skin” of people and
not the wolf hiding underneath.
Along with the fascination that the audience feels, True Crime Documentaries provide an
opportunity for viewers to become emotionally invested. By immersing themselves in the
victim's story and journey, the audience is transported to the very scenes in the documentary. The
audience witnesses firsthand the challenges the victim went through, and that fosters a deeper
connection to the narrative.
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Like in Lover Stalker Killer, a documentary about a love triangle gone wrong. Dave
Kroupa and his longtime girlfriend had broken up, but Kroupa had moved to Nebraska also so
that he could still be near his children. Starting his life over, he began to investigate online
dating, until he stumbled upon Liz. Kroupa and Liz went on a date and had fun, but Kroupa says
he made it known that he was not going to be tied down. Then one day, Cari Farver was brought
into his life, she was having car problems and stopped by where Kroupa was working when she
caught his eye. A few weeks later he saw her profile while surfing the online dating world, and
he invited her out, where she told him a little about her life, and afterward, he invited her back to
his place. Right as they stepped foot inside, Liz buzzed his apartment saying she needed to get
something from inside. Kroupa explained everything to Cari, and she left. After Liz left, Kroupa
had called Cari in hopes of making amends, but Cari had invited him over to her place. After
around 2 weeks of messing with each other, Cari asked Kroupa to move in together. Kroupa had
told her that they had talked about things and said they were not anything serious, but Cari’s
personality did a complete flip. Cari’s personality became vile, she started stalking Kroupa and
making threats at Liz, saying that if she could not have him no one could. It was not until after
Cari burned Liz’s house down and disappeared that the investigation became bizarre. That is
when Investigators started to think about the case from a different angle, the possibility that Cari
was dead.
In other cases, True Crime Documentaries serve as a means of coping, offering the
audience a way to process their own experience and emotions by relating to the victim. Because,
in the article, “Here’s How Your True Crime Obsession Affects Your Brain, According to
Experts,” Christie Tcharkhoutian, a counselor who works with trauma patients, says that
“watching similar events unfold” in a “safe environment can help to rewire our brains from
35
having automatic responses.” By witnessing the victim’s journey and the challenges they faced,
some may find solace or validation in their own experiences. Seeing how the victims faced the
adversity trailing them could inspire hope and empowerment in the audience. It also may lead to
a deeper understanding of what happened and come to terms with a resolution that can explain
their experience. This means that instead of going into a fight or flight mode, the audience can
recognize that they are not in that situation anymore.
Furthermore, True Crime Documentaries bring awareness to the morality of the laws we
have in place. It forces the audience to think about how individuals receive harsher or more
lenient sentences and explore the factors that contribute to them like remorse, criminal history,
and severity of the crime. The presentation of raw footage shown in True Crime Documentaries
evokes those same feelings of remorse the judge has when determining a fair sentence. Looking
at the depictions of the gruesome images shown in the case that would normally be censored,
shows the audience how it has a major influence on the sentencing of the offender in a
courtroom. Understanding the severity of the crime and the suffering endured by the victim can
sometimes create a bias in the judgment of a judge, highlighting issues of individuals receiving
fair sentencing. The judge, much like the audience, witnesses the horrifying images firsthand,
visualizing the sequence of events while having to think of a reasonable sentence.
True Crime Documentaries also show how an individual's criminal record is often used
against them when deciding on future sentences. In the article “Use of Criminal Records in
Charging and Sentencing,” Stacy Barret, an Attorney from UC Law San Fransico, says that
Lawmakers came up with two reasons behind using prior conflicts in future sentences because;
“First, priors can be a proxy for a defendant’s risk of future offending-past conduct predicts
future behavior,” and “Second, many people believe that recidivists are more culpable than first
36
offenders because they didn’t learn their lessons from prior sentences and now deserve additional
punishment” (Barret, Stacy). Prosecutors will use that to introduce an individual's past
convictions, suggesting that there is a pattern of criminal behavior and that the individual poses a
threat to the public. For example, “a defendant’s first driving on a suspended license charge
might be an infraction, but second and subsequent charges will likely be charged be
misdemeanors” (Barrett, Stacy). In other cases, it gives the audience appreciation for some of the
laws that we do have in place, such as enacting the Fifth Amendment, which allows individuals
to exercise their right to refuse to answer questions to avoid incriminating themselves and
introduces loopholes like plea bargains, where the defendant pleads guilty in exchange for a
more lenient sentence or an agreement to drop other charges.
Serving as a way of offering the audience a window into the tragic lives of the victims,
and experiencing the challenges they faced firsthand, True Crime Documentaries prompt the
audience to question uncomfortable truths and prevailing norms. Through their immersive
storytelling and exploration of real-life cases, True Crime Documentaries spark up important
ideas about Justice and how several factors contribute to the sentencing of an individual. In doing
so, they play a crucial role in shaping public discourse and promoting awareness of the
complexities of the legal system and the human experience.
37
Works Cited
Barrett, Stacy. “Use of Criminal Records Sentencing” All Law. Use of Criminal Records in
Charging and Sentencing | All Law
Becoming A Serial Killer.” Women’s Health, May 8, 2019, Ted Bundy's Motives, Explained -
Why Did Ted Bundy Murder Women? (womenshealthmag.com)
Bonn, Scott A. “Why the True Crime Audience is Predominantly Female.” Psychology Today,
November 7, 2023, Sussex Publisher
Bonn, Scott. “Why We Are Drawn to True Crime Shows.” Time, 8, Jan. 2016, Why We Are
Drawn to True Crime Shows | TIME
38
Canning, Kristin. “Here Are All The Different Theories On Ted Bundy’s Motives For Becoming
A Serial Killer” Women’s Health. May 8, 2019, Ted Bundy's Motives, Explained - Why Did Ted
Bundy Murder Women? (womenshealthmag.com)
Cogan, Marin “And So I Stayed challenges the dominant narratives about abuse.” Vox. April 6,
2022,And So I Stayed is a new documentary that challenges how we think about domestic
violence - Vox
Gajanan, Mahita “What to Know About the Six Sensationalized Court Cases Examined in
Netflix’s Trial By Media” Time. May 11, 2020, The Sensationalized Court Cases in Netflix’s
Trial By Media | TIME
Kim, Jean (M.D.). “Why Do We Watch True Crime Shows?” Psychology Today, 20, Feb. 2023,
Why Do We Watch True Crime Shows? | Psychology Today
Pelisek, Christine “I Survived a Serial Killer: How a Woman Escaped After being beaten, Bound
and Stuffed in a Trunk” People. January 30, 2019, Woman Miraculously Escaped Serial Killer
Andrew Urdiales (people.com)
Stinson, Annakeara. “Here’s How Your True Crime Obsession Actually Affects You Brain,
According to Experts.” Elite Daily, 6, April 2018, How True Crime Shows Affect Your Brain,
According To Trauma Therapists (elitedaily.com)
Yurcaba, Jo “Black queer Milwaukeeans on Netflix’s Jeffrey Dahmer series: ‘How Dare You?’”
NBC NEWS. October 5, 2022,Black queer Milwaukeeans on Netflix's Jeffrey Dahmer series:
'How dare you?' (yahoo.com)
39
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Why Did Ted Bundy Murder Women? (womenshealthmag.com)
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November 7, 2023, Sussex Publisher, Why We Are Drawn to True Crime Shows | TIME
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Drawn to True Crime Shows | TIME
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Bundy Murder Women? (womenshealthmag.com)
41
Cogan, Marin “And So I Stayed challenges the dominant narratives about abuse.” Vox. April 6,
2022, And So I Stayed is a new documentary that challenges how we think about domestic
violence - Vox
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