Employee Directory

Karen Lischinsky Professor, Sociology and Criminal Justice
Criminal Justice and Sociology

Dr. Lischinsky brings years of experience in restorative justice practices. She has facilitated healing groups with incarcerated men and women, correctional officers as well as survivors of violent crime. Dr. Lischinsky is the Executive Producer of the film Behind the Wall. The 21 - minute film addresses a major problem in our nation’s jails and prisons that few are talking about: how the trauma-rich correctional system impacts the lives of so many, including correctional officers, staff and the incarcerated. In order to create meaningful and transformative systemic change in our nation’s criminal justice system, we need to start with a conversation in which we hear from all those impacted, both the incarcerated and correctional staff. Behind the Wall explores the daily human cost of the difficult environment of prisons and jails in the United States. Behind the Wall has been screened at the Coolidge Corner Theater in Brookline, Massachusetts as well as in other parts of the country. Dr. Lischinsky also founded the Ring Resiliency Boxing Program (RRBP). The RRBP is a trauma informed non-contact boxing program for correctional officers as well as other community members who have been affected by the devastating impact of trauma. This boxing program utilizes boxing as a modality for reducing trauma-related stress. The classes provide boxing skills instruction and creates a nonthreatening environment that reduces stress, improves resiliency, and provides a sense of community, safety and belonging.

Dr. Lischinsky received her Ph.D in Sociology from Northeastern University and her MSW from Boston University.

See the trailer for the film, Behind the Wall