Joseph Kaberlein

Joseph Kaberlein is a doctoral student in the Department of Criminal Justice & Criminology at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. His research interests primarily focus on pretrial decision-making, sentencing disparities, reentry-related issues, and the impact of experiential learning on student outcomes. Joseph's research experience includes examining the impact of a reentry simulation on perceptions of formerly incarcerated individuals and examining Milwaukee County's Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) program, among others. He received the Best Presentation Award at the 2026 Community Empowerment and Justice Symposium for Experiencing Reentry: How Immersive Simulations Shape Empathy and Understanding of Post-Incarceration Barriers.

In addition to his research, Joseph teaches classes in research methods and criminological theory and policy.

Education:

• MS, Criminal Justice & Criminology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2024
• BA, Psychology, Certificate in Criminal Justice, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2022

Research Interests:

• Pretrial decision-making, bail, risk assessments
• Sentencing disparities and cumulative disadvantage in criminal court processing
• Reentry, post-incarceration barriers
• Pedagogical advancements in experiential learning

Publications:

• Varline, J., & Kaberlein, J. (2025). The Efficacy of Bystander Interventions on Prejudiced Attitudes and Perceptions Toward Intervening: A Meta-Analysis & Systematic Review. Journal of Victimology and Victim Justice.
• Freiburger, T. L., Konkel, R. H., & Kaberlein, J. (2025). The Impact of Participation in Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Machining Technical Education Certificate Programs on Rates of Recidivism. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 0(0). https://doi-org.ezproxy.lib.uwm.edu/10.1177/0306624X251327426
• Freiburger, T. L., Romain Dagenhardt, D.M., & Kaberlein, J. (2025). The Impact of Extralegal Variables on Pretrial Sentencing Decisions.
• Konkel, R., Trager, B., & Kaberlein, J. (2026). Impact of a Reentry Simulation on Fostered Knowledge and Attitudinal Shifts.
• Freiburger, T. L., Romain Dagenhardt, D.M., & Kaberlein, J. (2025). The Impact of COVID-19 on Pretrial Sentencing Decisions

Curriculum Vitae (PDF)