Bethany Jo Murray is a PhD candidate at UCLA whose research examines the interlockings of social movements, social work, and law enforcement in the U.S., past and present. Drawing on archival, oral history, and qualitative methods, she explores pathways toward anti-carceral social work. Bethany’s work is informed by her background in the gender-based violence field and movement-building spaces. She holds an MSW from the University of Minnesota, serves as a board member of Abolition Perspectives in Social Work, and is a fellow of the California Social Welfare Archive.
Recently Published Work:
Murray, B. (2025, February 19). Anti-Carceral Social Work. Encyclopedia of Social Work. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780199975839.013.1671
Bakko, M., Murray, B.J., & Jacobs, L.A. (2025). Abolition Compromised: How State-Nonprofit Funding Dynamics Undermine Anti-Carceral Reform. Punishment & Society. 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/14624745241309263
Murray, B. J., & Heilemann, M. (2024). ‘The need was f*cking endless’: A Case Study of the Minneapolis Sanctuary Movement. Journal of Community Practice, 1-21. https://doi.org/10.1080/10705422.2024.2429762
Murray, B. J., Erwin, J., Leotti, S., Allen, E., Bakko, M., Jacobs, L. A., Hostetter, C. R., Tomczak, S. M., & Fixler, A. (2024). ‘Compassionate’ Control: Social Work and the Rise of Carceral Feminism in Progressive Era Police Reform. Social Sciences, 13(9), 454. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13090454
Murray, B. J., Missouri, S., Miller, P., Anderson, M., & Turner, D. C. (2023). No Cops Needed in the Hallway: The LA Push Against School Police. Spark Magazine. Michigan State University National Center for Institutional Diversity. https://medium.com/national-center-for-institutional-diversity/no-cops-needed-in-the-hallway-the-la-push-against-school-police-2a39b999fca1
Murray, B. J., Copeland, V., & Dettlaff, A. J. (2023). Reflections on the Ethical Possibilities and Limitations of Abolitionist Praxis in Social Work. Affilia, 38(4), 742-758. https://doi.org/10.1177/08861099221146151