Joy Ferdinand is a dedicated advocate for criminal justice reform and social reintegration. She will start her PhD in Criminal Justice at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in August 2024. With a robust academic and professional background, Joy’s work focuses on supporting formerly incarcerated individuals and advancing sustainable development goals. Joy holds an M.A. in Criminal Justice from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where her thesis explored gendered differences in the impact of social support on the reintegration of previously incarcerated men and women.

She also earned a B.Sc. in Criminology and Security Studies and a Diploma in Law from the University of Jos, Nigeria. As a Graduate Assistant at UA-Little Rock, Joy assists professors with administrative tasks, grading, and fieldwork research. She also co-authors research papers, contributing significantly to the academic community. Her research interests include the reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals, the imperative for correctional officers to wear body cameras, and the impact of rehabilitation centers on drug addicts.

Professionally, Joy has volunteered with the City of Little Rock Reentry Program, providing essential resources to justice-impacted individuals. She has also served as a Global Youth Ambassador for Their world, advocating for children’s education to reduce future incarceration risks. Her previous roles include internships with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, where she conducted correctional training surveys, and the Nigeria Correctional Service, where she studied prison congestion and its threats to national security.

Joy’s leadership skills were honed during her tenure as Vice President of the National Association of Criminology and Security Studies at the University of Jos. She has been recognized for her creativity and dedication with awards such as the Correctional Leadership Challenge Scholarship and the Rob Williams Memorial Scholarship. Joy participates in international forums, including the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development and the World Bank Group Youth Summit.

Her commitment to justice and reintegration aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and she strives to create a more inclusive and equitable society. Joy Ferdinand’s journey is marked by a blend of academic excellence, professional dedication, and a deep commitment to social justice, making her a formidable advocate for change in the criminal justice system.