A Safe Place to Land – Bridging the Gap Between Custody and Secure Housing – 2019-11-05
This presentation explores the efficacy and advantages of maintaining and sustaining housing for Indigenous individuals being released from custody. Together, the Canadian Mental Health Association – Sudbury/Manitoulin and the N’Swakamok Native Friendship Centre manage an eight month transitional housing unit
Accuracy and predictive value of incarcerated adults’ accounts of their self-harm histories: findings from an Australian prospective data linkage study [2017]
Background: Self-harm is prevalent in prison populations and is a well-established risk factor for suicide. Researchers typically rely on self-report to measure self-harm, yet the accuracy and predictive value of self-report in prison populations is unclear. Using a large, representative
Addressing excess risk of overdose among recently incarcerated people in the USA: harm reduction interventions in correctional settings [2017]
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss overdose among those with criminal justice experience and recommend harm reduction strategies to lessen overdose risk among this vulnerable population. Design/methodology/approach Strategies are needed to reduce overdose deaths among those with
Addressing Serious Violent Misconduct in Prison: Examining an Alternative Form of Restrictive Housing [2018]
A number of scholars, civil, and human rights activists have expressed concern about the negative impact restrictive housing may have on the physical and mental well-being of inmates. Rigorous, theoretically informed outcome evaluations, however, are virtually nonexistent. Guided by theory
Addressing Women’s Unmet Health Care Needs in a Canadian Remand Center: Catalyst for Improved Health? [2018]
Incarcerated women have a disproportionate burden of infectious and chronic disease, substance disorders, and mental illness. This study explored incarcerated women’s health and whether a Women’s Health Clinic improved care within this vulnerable population. Retrospective chart reviews and focus groups
Addressing Women’s Unmet Health Care Needs in a Canadian Remand Center: Catalyst for Improved Health? [2018]
Incarcerated women have a disproportionate burden of infectious and chronic disease, substance disorders, and mental illness. This study explored incarcerated women’s health and whether a Women’s Health Clinic improved care within this vulnerable population. Retrospective chart reviews and focus groups
An Analysis of the Deterrent Effects of Disciplinary Segregation on Institutional Rule Violation Rates [2017]
In light of the limited resources available in the criminal justice system, and given the financial costs and inmate mental health risks associated with disciplinary segregation, the practice warrants testing and evaluation. Limited research exists on the effect disciplinary segregation
An evaluation of Take Home Naloxone program implementation in British Columbian correctional facilities [2019]
Purpose To understand how the Take Home Naloxone (THN) program is implemented in two pilot correctional facilities in British Columbia (BC), Canada, in order to identify areas for program improvement and inform the expansion of the program to other Canadian
An Evaluation of the Community Recovery Program: A Case Management Approach to Assisting Individuals Recover from Substance Use and Incarceration [2020]
Successful community reintegration is an integral part of the recovery journey for individuals with a history of substance use and/or incarceration. However, many of these individuals face numerous difficulties when reintegrating into their community. The Community Recovery Program (CRP), based
An Exploratory Analysis of Violent Offending and the Acquired Capability for Suicide in Male Prisoners – 2018
Recently, the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide has offered some understanding as to why inmates are at a disproportionately high risk to die by suicide. The present study was designed to investigate how one aspect of the theory, the acquired capability
An Exploratory Analysis of Violent Offending and the Acquired Capability for Suicide in Male Prisoners [2018]
Recently, the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide has offered some understanding as to why inmates are at a disproportionately high risk to die by suicide. The present study was designed to investigate how one aspect of the theory, the acquired capability
An Integrative Theoretical Model of Public Support for Ex-Offender Reentry [2017]
Prior research suggests that public and ex-offender characteristics are associated with attitudes toward ex-offenders and support for their reentry; however, research examining reasons for these associations is limited. Research also is limited on the association between attitudes toward ex-offenders generally,
An open trial of an anger management treatment in a correctional facility: preliminary effectiveness and predictors of response [2018]
Despite the prevalence of anger management programs in correctional settings, there is mixed support for their effectiveness, and little is known about who benefits most. This preliminary study aimed to (1) evaluate the effectiveness of anger management for inmates, and
Analyzing the Heterogeneous Nature of Inmate Behavior: Trajectories of Prison Misconduct [2017]
Researchers have long been interested in stability and changes in offending patterns between and within individuals during the life-course. Using data from the Oregon Department of Corrections and the Oregon State Police, the current study explores misconduct trajectories and also
Anger and Emotion Regulation Associated With Borderline and Antisocial Personality Features Within a Correctional Sample [2020]
Although diagnostically distinct, research indicates that antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) and borderline personality disorder (BPD) share common features, including anger impulses and emotion dysregulation. It is unclear, however, how these variables are expressed and experienced differentially. The current study sought
Anger parameters in parolees undergoing psychoeducation: Temporal stability, social desirability bias, and comparison with non‐offenders – 2018
Background Anger is commonly measured as if it were a single, simple construct. This may be particularly unhelpful if the main purpose of a measure is to determine change and responsiveness to interventions. Aims Our primary aim was to assess
Animal-assisted therapy in a Canadian psychiatric prison [2019]
Purpose Prison-based animal programs are becoming increasingly common in North America. The majority focus on community and animal well-being, with less explicit therapeutic goals for human participants. The purpose of this paper is to measure the objectives of a canine
Approved and Off-Label Use of Prescribed Psychotropic Medications among Federal Canadian Inmates – 2018
Objective: To examine psychotropic medication prescription practices in federal Canadian penitentiaries. Method: 468 files were drawn from a purposive sample of thirteen Canadian federal institutions representing the five regions, different security levels, and male and female designated facilities. Information on
Are We Acute-Care or Recovery-Oriented? Exploring Ideals and Practices Expressed Within the Substance Use Treatment and Correctional Systems [2020]
Aim: The aim of this study was to explore whether treatment and probation professionals describe ideals and practices more aligned with the recovery-oriented systems of care (ROSC) model or the acute-care model. Methods: Semi-structured individual interviews were used to gather
Assessing the impact of care farms on quality of life and offending: a pilot study among probation service users in England [2017]
Objectives To assess the feasibility of conducting a cost-effectiveness study of using care farms (CFs) to improve quality of life and reduce reoffending among offenders undertaking community orders (COs). To pilot questionnaires to assess quality of life, connection to nature,
Assessing the Impact of Time Spent in Restrictive Housing Confinement on Subsequent Measures of Institutional Adjustment Among Men in Prison [2019]
Proponents of restrictive housing argue that its use is an effective deterrent of antisocial behavior, while its critics maintain that the setting causes serious psychological damage and increases noncompliance with institutional rules and expectations. Unfortunately, few studies exist that examine
Assessing the influence of risk/need domains on probation completion among a sample of offenders with mental illness [2019]
A significant body of research has illustrated that the Risk/Need/Responsivity (RNR) paradigm is predictive of recidivism for a variety of offenders, including those with mental illness. This paper builds upon the extant literature in this area by examining how RNR
Assessing the Link Between Exposure to a Violent Prison Context and Inmate Maladjustment [2016]
The importance of prison safety has generated a number of studies of the correlates to inmate maladjustment, and researchers have found that both individual and environmental characteristics impact the level of maladjustment across prisons. However, no studies have examined the
Assessing the Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Cognitive Functioning, and Social/Emotional Well-Being Needs of Aboriginal Prisoners in Australia [2017]
This study sought to identify the incidence of mental illness, substance misuse, and cognitive impairment among a representative cohort of 123 Aboriginal people in custody in Australia. In addition, the study measured levels of social and emotional well-being (SEWB) and
Assessing the predictability of self-harm in a high-risk adult prisoner population: a prospective cohort study [2018]
Background Prisoners are at increased risk of self-harm and when either intent is expressed, or an act of self-harm carried out, prisoners in the UK are subject to self-harm/suicide monitoring (referred to as “open ACCT” monitoring). However, there is a
Assessing the Relationship Between Physical Health and Inmate Misconduct
Research reveals inmate misconduct results from various factors including age, gang membership, program participation, and mental illness. However, no research has examined the influence of physical illness on misconduct. Per general strain theory, we argue that poor physical health is
Assessing the Relationship Between Physical Health and Inmate Misconduct [2018]
Research reveals inmate misconduct results from various factors including age, gang membership, program participation, and mental illness. However, no research has examined the influence of physical illness on misconduct. Per general strain theory, we argue that poor physical health is
Assessment of need for inpatient treatment for mental disorder among female prisoners: a cross-sectional study of provincially detained women in Ontario [2019]
BackgroundInternational studies show a consistent finding of women in prisons as having a high prevalence of mental disorder. Most will be treated within the prison however the most severely ill require transfer to a hospital facility. The primary aim of
Assessments often miss mental health issues for youth on probation – 2018
An assessment tool used by many jurisdictions within the juvenile justice system that is intended to help recognize the effects of adversity and trauma in children’s lives is not the best means of evaluating mental health problems faced by at-risk
Association of Restrictive Housing During Incarceration With Mortality After Release [2019]
Question Is restrictive housing, otherwise known as solitary confinement, during incarceration associated with an increased risk of mortality after release into the community? Findings This cohort study included 229 274 people who were released from incarceration in North Carolina from 2000
Association of Schizoid and Schizotypal Personality disorder with violent crimes and homicides in Greek prisons [2018]
Background Personality disorders (PDs) have been associated with both violent crimes and homicides in many studies. The proportion of PDs among prisoners reaches up to 80%. For male prisoners, the most common PD in the literature is antisocial PD. The
Associations between childhood abuse, mental health problems, and suicide risk among male prison populations in Spain [2018]
Background There are few studies exploring associations between different types of childhood abuse and mental health problems among adult prisoners. Aims To explore associations between history of childhood abuse, depression or anxiety, and near‐lethal suicide attempts among adult prisoners, and
Associations Between Parole Outcomes and Characteristics of People Under Supervision, Supervising Officer, and Supervising Office [2020]
Community-based supervision is a key feature of contemporary correctional practice, and while it is often assumed that the supervising officer is the agent of change, few previous studies have considered the relative importance of the characteristics of either those under
Associations between substance use and type of crime in prisoners with substance use problems – a focus on violence and fatal violence – 2018-01-15
Aim: The present study aimed to study the associations between substance use patterns and types of crimes in prisoners with substance use problems, and specifically whether substance use patterns were different in violent offenders. Methods: Interview data of prisoners with
Attachment, Coping, and Suicidal Behavior in Male Prisoners [2016]
The present study explored the differences between adult male prisoners with and without a history of suicidal behavior on adult attachment dimensions, coping styles, and hopelessness. The role of adult attachment and coping styles as predictors of hopelessness was also
Australian prison vocational education and training and returns to custody among male and female ex-prisoners: A cross-jurisdictional study [2018]
The current study examined the impact of vocational education and training in the custody setting on returns to custody among Australian adult prisoners from selected jurisdictions. Vocational education and training, education, and behavioural change programme participation in custody and demographic
Avoiding the Runaround: The Link Between Cultural Health Capital and Health Management Among Older Prisoners [2018]
The link between incarceration and health is of emerging empirical interest to criminological scholars. Yet, we still know little about the needs of the rising population of older prisoners and the health issues they face. By drawing on qualitative data
Back to the future: A retrospective cost benefit analysis of an education dropout program as an intervention to prevent reincarceration [2019]
This article carries out a cost benefit analysis of early childhood education for preventing reincarceration. It estimates the external benefits that accrue to society as a whole, in terms of the savings from specific crimes no longer taking place and
Barriers and Facilitators to Effective Mental Health Care in Correctional Settings [2018]
It is estimated that one third to one half of the 2.3 million individuals inside U.S. jails and prisons have a mental illness in contrast to 18.3% of the general population. The implications of this on training mental health professionals
Barriers and Facilitators to Effective Mental Health Care in Correctional Settings [2018]
It is estimated that one third to one half of the 2.3 million individuals inside U.S. jails and prisons have a mental illness in contrast to 18.3% of the general population. The implications of this on training mental health professionals
Being “on Point”: Exploring the Stress-related Experiences of Incarceration [2018]
Prior studies establish a link between incarceration and stress-related health, but relatively little is known about perceived stressors among current and former prisoners. To better understand the stress-related experiences of this population, in-depth interviews were conducted with 25 former inmates
Berkeley Study Shines Light on the Pressures of Being a Corrections Officer [2019-01-31]
It’s widely known that jails and prisons can be violent and stressful places to work. But the well-being of corrections officers, while a priority for corrections departments across the country, has rarely been the subject of formal study. This is
Better to Stay Home: Evaluating the Impact of Day Reporting Centers on Offending [2017]
This article reports the findings of a quasi-experimental evaluation of community resource centers (CRCs)—nonresidential, day reporting centers employed for recent parolees. CRC participants (n = 2,789), drawn from release cohorts in 2008, 2009, and 2010, were matched using propensity scores
Better to Stay Home: Evaluating the Impact of Day Reporting Centers on Offending [2018]
This article reports the findings of a quasi-experimental evaluation of community resource centers (CRCs)—nonresidential, day reporting centers employed for recent parolees. CRC participants (n = 2,789), drawn from release cohorts in 2008, 2009, and 2010, were matched using propensity scores
Beyond Recidivism: Exploring the Predictive Validity of a Correctional Risk Assessment Tool on Offender Victimization [2017]
A vast body of past research on correctional risk assessment instruments supports their validity in predicting measures of recidivism across diverse offender population samples. Despite similarities in the risk factors for victimization and offending, little is known about whether the
Beyond Responsivity: Client Service Engagement in a Reentry Demonstration Program [2018]
The specific responsivity principle advises us to provide offenders with treatment that takes into account their responsiveness to treatment, tied for example to their learning style, motivation, and gender. We examine challenges to service engagement and attendance in a community-based
Beyond the dichotomy: Incarceration dosage and mental health [2018]
The findings from a growing body of research reveal that incarceration is detrimental for both physical and mental health. Incarceration, however, is typically conceptualized and operationalized as a dichotomy; individuals either have, or have not, been incarcerated. Considering that incarceration
Beyond the dichotomy: Incarceration dosage and mental health [2018]
The findings from a growing body of research reveal that incarceration is detrimental for both physical and mental health. Incarceration, however, is typically conceptualized and operationalized as a dichotomy; individuals either have, or have not, been incarcerated. Considering that incarceration
Beyond the Walls: An Evaluation of a Pre-Release Planning (PReP) Programme for Sentenced Mentally Disordered Offenders [2018]
Background: Prison mental health services have tended to focus on improving the quality of care provided to mentally disordered offenders at the initial point of contact with the prison system and within the prison environment itself. When these individuals reach
Body cameras behind bars: Exploring correctional officers’ feelings of safety with body-worn cameras [2020]
Amid rising rates of prison violence, corrective service agencies worldwide are increasingly championing body-worn cameras as a tool with the potential of making the prison environment safer. Little is known, however, whether this technology makes correctional officers feel safer while