The intent of this thesis is to create a new heuristic for processes of identification. Currently, Burke's identification theory only accounts for his definition of successful identification. This thesis explores how Burke's initial identification theory interacts with other theories that contribute to identity formation. Specifically, Fernheimer's identification half-steps, Reynold's ethos as location theory, and Kerschbaum's commodification of difference will be used to build on Burke's theory and develop a new heuristic. The new heuristic will be applied to the San Quentin State Prison's inmate-run newspaper, the San Quentin News, to explore how inmates are utilizing rhetorical identification strategies to change the dominant conversations surrounding their identity.

The United States is in the midst of an opioid crisis. Fortunately, effective treatments for opioid use disorder exist (OUD); however, they are underutilized. Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUDs) decrease death by 50 %. These MOUDs are particularly relevant in the criminal justice population given that this population has a higher OUD disease burden but is less likely than the general population to receive this life-saving treatment. Research has identified negative attitudes toward MOUDs among corrections staff as a barrier to utilizing MOUDs. This thesis examines the relationships between community correction staff familiarity with methadone, one type of MOUD, and their opinions toward methadone using extant data from the Criminal Justice Drug Abuse Treatment Studies 2 (CJ-DATS 2) series. These data were collected between 2010-2012. The study was guided by the Knowledge-Attitude Behavior (KAB) model. The data are described using descriptive statistics, and I estimate logistic regressions to examine the relationship between respondent familiarity with methadone and their attitude toward methadone while controlling for other covariates. With a sample of 167 corrections employees, I found that corrections staff who agreed or strongly agreed with the statement that they were familiar with methadone had more positive methadone attitudes. Future research should examine the relationship between familiarity/knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors in other criminal justice settings and for other MOUDs (i.e., buprenorphine and naltrexone).

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