Deans’ Summer Research Fellowship (DSRF) Story: Samantha Richter

Author: Samantha Richter

What was your major research question for the DSRF project and where do you hope this project will go?

My project asked: what political and cultural barriers shape the implementation of small- scale detention houses across different European contexts? Over the summer I visited facilities in Belgium, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Ireland, and Portugal, and conducted dozens of interviews with policymakers, prison administrators, and advocates. I learned that while the model is effective in reducing violence and improving reentry outcomes, its adoption is often constrained by public attitudes, political will, and community resistance. I left with more questions about how evidence-based alternatives can be translated across diverse cultural and political landscapes. I will translate my findings into my public policy honors thesis, and potentially pursue further research in this area post-grad.

What challenges did you encounter during your research and how did you work through these difficulties?

One challenge was navigating cross-national differences in language, law, and culture. I often found myself comparing systems that weren’t directly comparable. I worked through this by leaning on local experts and RESCALED (the organization I worked with) colleagues, asking clarifying questions, and building flexibility into my analysis. Another challenge was balancing the emotional weight of site visits (listening to residents’ stories of homelessness, addiction, or family separation) and I coped by journaling and discussing reflections with my team.

What sparked your interest in this field?

My interest grew out of frustration with the U.S. prison system’s failures: high recidivism, inhumane conditions, and the generational harms of mass incarceration. Through direct service with impacted people (record clearance initiatives, tutoring children of incarcerated families, leading Duke Justice Project, etc), and prior research, I realized there were stark contrasts between what policymakers believe about the justice system and the reality on the ground. I wanted to see if there were alternatives that weren’t just reforms at the margins, but full reconstructions of how justice is imagined. That led me to Europe’s small-scale detention house movement, which focuses on dignity, rehabilitation, and community integration. 

Curious about DSRF?

This project was made possible through the Deans’ Summer Research Fellowship (DSRF)—a unique opportunity for rising juniors and seniors in the Trinity College of Arts & Sciences to pursue funded summer research full-time!