Faye S. Taxman, (born 1955) is an American legal scholar who is a criminology professor at George Mason University (2009–present) in Northern Virginia, United States as well as a director at the Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence Her work is better known for its influence on the redesign of aspects of the behavioural corrections system, specifically pertaining to the reduction of recidivism and mechanisms to achieve this such as offender rehabilitation. She is known to the general public for her novel, Implementing Evidence-Based Practices in Community Corrections and Addiction Treatment (Springer, 2011). Taxman received the 2017 Joan McCord Award for her work concerning Experimental Criminology and the 2015 Caron Foundation Award for Research of the Year. Within her present day line of employment, she is also an Affiliate Professor at the College of Medicine at Howard University, based in Washington, D.C. (2012–present) as well as Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia (2013–present).
Educational background
Taxman's interest in Criminal Justice can be seen throughout the timeline of her various studies. In 1977, Taxman graduated from the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma with Bachelor of Arts (with Honours). Shortly after, she continued her studies within the field of Arts, graduating Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey from a Master of Arts (with Honours) in 1981. In 1982, Taxman attended the Rutgers University again to complete her Doctor of Philosophy and earn her Ph.D. title.
Career
Taxman commenced work in 1977 as a research analyst for the Police Foundation, a non-profit organisation in many cities and states around the United States. However, her work within the field of criminology began as she commenced her role as research assistant at Rutgers University (1978-1981).
This led to her role as acting director for the CJCC, otherwise referred to as the Criminal Justice Coordinating Commission. In this role, she monitored the administration of justice and the standard of law enforcement within the Montgomery County. From 1980 to 1981, she was employed by Rutgers University as an adjunct instructor, and soon after, as a staff associate within the field of applied management sciences in 1983–1986. Between 1988 and 1991, Taxman worked her way upwards within the CJCC organisation, moving into her role formally referred to as deputy director. Onwards between 1991 and 1994, she was employed by the Institute for Law and Justice as principal associate. Between 1999 and 2004, Taxman was employed at BGR, more commonly referred to as the Bureau of Governmental Research at the University of Maryland as director. Between 2004 and 2007, she was employed by the Virginia Commonwealth University within the position of full professor.
Present day, among other employment, within her main role as university professor at George Mason University, Taxman teaches a number of criminology-related courses such as: Drugs and Crime, Justice Organisations and Administration, Corrections and Sentencing.
Research
Taxman has published in excess of 190 articles, among these is Tools of the Trade: A Guide to Incorporating Science into Practice (National Institute of Corrections, 2004). The guide outlines primarily the factors that contribute to criminal behaviour and the mechanism employed by correctional behaviour facilities for the prevention of offender recidivism. Of her most reputable works, Tools of the Trade: A Guide to Incorporating Science into Practice, Taxman outlines the process by which rehabilitation facilities can affect a decline in criminal behaviour.
Attitude corrections
The publication advises offender correction facilities employ various techniques to redress criminal behaviour. Such techniques shall be evidenced through the actions of employees to accomplish the goals of the organisation and decrease the prominence of criminal-related issues. This section defines behavioural management as a construct affected by a number of factors: society, corrections, psychology and law. The chapter details a humanistic approach towards offenders, so as not to ostracise criminals and treat them as incapable of making meaningful contributions to society. In this, offenders must take an active role in the construction of their rehabilitation guidelines.