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Showing papers in "International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology in 1995"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a sample of 82 correctional officers from two Canadian federal institutions rated their perceptions of three offender groups: Sex offenders against women, sex offenders against children, and non-sex offenders using a 19-item perceptions scale.
Abstract: A sample of 82 correctional officers from two Canadian federal institutions rated their perceptions of three offender groups: sex offenders against women, sex offenders against children, and non-sex offenders, using a 19-item perceptions scale. Sex offenders, in general, were perceived to be more dangerous, harmful, violent, tense, bad, unpredictable, mysterious, unchangeable, aggressive, weak, irrational, and afraid compared with non-sex offenders. Sex offenders against children were perceived as significantly more immoral and mentally ill than sex offenders against women, who, in turn, were perceived to be more immoral and mentally ill than non-sex offenders. Training and offender management implications are briefly discussed.

74 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, adolescent male sex offenders who sexually assaulted female children (n = 29) were compared to those who offended against female peers/adults(n = 27), and the internal consistencies of the variables were confirmed with a larger clinical sample.
Abstract: Adolescent male sex offenders who assaulted female children (n = 29) were compared to those who offended against female peers/adults (n = 27). Unlike previous studies, sexual offending/victimization histories were based on regular clinical interactions rather than intakefiles or initial interviews; groups were comparable with respect to age, socioeconomic status (SES), and social desirability; and the internal consistencies of the variables were confirmed with a larger clinical sample (n = 209). Participants completed the following questionnaires: Youth Self-Report, Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory, Tennessee Self-Concept Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, Rape-Myth Acceptance Scale, Adversarial Sexual Attitudes Scale, and the Assessing Environments (III) Scale. As predicted, adolescents who sexually assaulted female peers/adults were the recipients of significantly more physical parental discipline. Contrary to popular assumptions, however, the two groups were not significantly different with respect to hi...

68 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A review of research on serial murder revealed that the 10 definitions frequently cited failed to adequately represent the totality of serial murder as mentioned in this paper, and a more complete definition was proposed that encompasses all types of serial murders, not only those committed by roaming males who act out of lust.
Abstract: A review of research on serial murder revealed that the 10 definitions frequently cited failed to adequately represent the totality of serial murder. This article reviews the evolution of these definitions in the professional literature. A more complete definition is proposed that encompasses all types of serial murder, not only those committed by roaming males who act out of lust. By being more inclusive, this definition is broad enough to include acts of multiple destructiveness committed by men and women for both instrumental and expressive purposes.

50 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This paper investigated the long term community re-adjustment of adolescent sex offenders released from a state residential group treatment program between 1988-1990 and found that the post-release behavior of adolescents may not present the degree of personal risk assumed by the public, and the majority of adolescents who eventually entered the adult correctional system will be committed on property related charges.
Abstract: the purpose of this study was to investigate the long term community re-adjustment of adolescent sex offenders released from a state residential group treatment program between 1988-1990. The results suggest: (1) the post-release behavior of adolescent sex offenders may not present the degree of personal risk assumed by the public; (2) the majority of adolescent sex offenders who eventually enter the adult correctional system will be committed on property related charges; and (3) serving adolescent sex offenders within an agency's main campus peer group treatment program may produce long term recidivism rates comparable with those reported among specialized treatment models. The findings are discussed in relation to the current demand for specialized sex offender programs and the need for correctional practitioners to develop strategies for this population of youth offenders.

40 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Past history of a suicide attempt was found to predict a current mental illness with 70.6% accuracy and should be an obligatory item on a cursory medical review of all incoming offenders to support judgements concerning special mental health needs.
Abstract: As part of an ongoing epidemiological investigation into the prevalence of mental illness among remanded offenders, data were collected on the lifetime prevalence of suicide behaviours. Out of 1151 inmates interviewed, 20.7% of males and 34.0% of females reported a prior suicide attempt. Age and gender standardized comparisons to the general population revealed remandees to be 11.24 times more likely to have a history of suicidality. Also, a greater proportion of suicide attempters met the diagnostic criteria for a mental disorder (75.8I%), compared to non-attempters (56.1 %). The most frequently occurring diagnosis in both groups was psychoactive substance abuse, but suicide attempters were more likely to meet the criteria for a mood or personality disorder. Persons with multiple previous attempts had a higher prevalence of mental illness compared with single attempters. Lifetime history of a suicide attempt was found to predict a current mental illness with 70.6% accuracy. Therefore, when it is impossib...

39 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A multivariate analysis of 29 countries for the years 1975 through 1980 was conducted to test Durkheim's hypothesis that the greater a society's moral individualism the lower its murder rate as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The modernization and inequality explanations of crime were the two main theses describing the variations of murder rates across nations. Both theses assumed that adverse economic and demographic changes such as unequal distribution of income, urbanization, industrialization, maternal absence and population density correlated positively with national murder rates. However, these two theses failed to explain what forces restrain most people from killing each other. Durkheim believed that moral individualism, characterized by respect for personal dignity and individual rights, was a barrier to committing murder. A multivariate analysis of 29 countries for the years 1975 through 1980 was conducted to test Durkheim's hypothesis that the greater a society's moral individualism the lower its murder rate. Results of the analysis supported Durkheim's prediction concerning the inverse relationship between moral individualism and murder.

37 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In the past, the focus in studying the serial murderer has been on descriptions of the heinous crimes, profiling, and other law enforcement issues as mentioned in this paper, however, in the case of serial murderers the focus was not on the crimes themselves, but on the individuals involved in them.
Abstract: In the past the focus in studying the serial murderer has been on descriptions of the heinous crimes, profiling, and other law enforcement issues. Through analysis of childhood, adulthood experiences, and personality traits, some tentative factors emerge that set the process in motion for the later emergence of this remarkably antisocial behavior.

24 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a multisystemic treatment program was implemented for eight high-risk juvenile first offenders, including 6 black males, 1 white male, and 1 black female.
Abstract: A multisystemic treatment program was implemented for eight high-risk juvenile first offenders. Clients had a mean age of 13 years, and included 6 black males, 1 white male, and 1 black female. Research questions were tested in regard to measures of delinquency, family functioning, life skills development, self-esteem, school functioning, delinquent peer group associations, and attitudes toward parenting and child rearing. Treatment included: (1) Case Management; (2) Educational Programs; (3) Family Therapy; (4) Nurturing Program. Results showed significant improvements for adolescents with measures of family relations, life skills, school, delinquency, peers, and for parents in terms of family and parent-child relations.

20 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, three groups (incarcerated rapists, incarcerated non-rapists and non-criminals) were administered and completed Parry's (1983) Anglicized version of Spence, Helmreich and Stapp's (1973) Attitudes Towards Women Scale.
Abstract: Three groups (incarcerated rapists, incarcerated non-rapists and nonincarcerated controls) were administered and completed Parry's (1983) Anglicized version of Spence, Helmreich and Stapp's (1973) Attitudes Towards Women Scale. Results of the seventy-one subjects showed that the incarcerated non-rapist group held the most traditional/conservative attitudes towards women. The present findings are discussed in terms of feminist viewpoint, current sociopolitical issues and cross-Atlantic research differences in relation to rape.

16 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a preliminary attempt to examine whether the theory of information integration is applicable as aframework for the study of moral judgment by incarcerated offenders who underwent formal psychotherapy in prison (psychotherapeutic background).
Abstract: The present work is a preliminary attempt to examine whether the theory of information integration is applicable as aframework for the study of moral judgment by incarcerated offenders who underwent formal psychotherapy in prison (psychotherapeutic background). The hypothesis, derived from the theory, was that judgment would be based on more than a single source of information. This hypothesis was tested against an alternative, unidimensional prediction derived from the theory of object relations. Nineteen subjects, 14 of them hospitalized in the psychiatric ward of an Israeli prison, participated in a study based on a single subject experimental design, where every subject participated in all experimental conditions. Seven of them were diagnosed as borderline and seven as anti-social. Each subject responded to an experimental questionnaire which included hypothetical episodes about property crimes committed by two offenders. The subject was instructed to identify with one of the offenders. Three pieces o...

15 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present an investigation into the effects, positive and negative, of television programming on young viewers in today's violent social climate, and stress that it is the responsibility of parents or parent substitutes to supervise their children's TV viewing habits.
Abstract: Recent debate in the media have reawakened society's concern regarding the possible dangerous and/or negative effects of television violence on children. The author presents an investigation into the effects, positive and negative, of television programming on young viewers in today's violent social climate. He agrees with other authors that it is not the programming per se that creates violence, but that the violent programs may influence negatively those individuals who are already violence-prone, or children during vulnerable periods of their development. He stresses that it is the responsibility of parents or parent substitutes to supervise their children's TV viewing habits.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a severe variant of narcissistic personality disorder (namely malignant narcissism) and the motivation to murder is presented in the case of a British spree serial killer.
Abstract: The relationship between a severe variant of narcissistic personality disorder (namely malignant narcissism) and the motivation to murder is presented in the case of a British spree serial killer. The case illustrates the development of this form of psychopathology and its association with the underlying inner narrative generated in the murderer's mind. The relationship between the pathology of narcissism, psychopathic disorder, dissociation and the phenomena of serial murder is analyzed. The present case is considered with reference to Hickey's Trauma Control Model of serial murder (1991).

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, two different methodologies, Crumbaugh & Maholic's Purpose in Life Test and Anderson's Functional Measurement, were used to compare the way meaning of life is perceived by two groups of substance-abusing people: one group consisted of 10 people who successfully completed a six-month withdrawal program based on Frankl's Logotherapy; the other group included 15 people who dropped out at the beginning stages of the program.
Abstract: Two different methodologies, Crumbaugh & Maholic's Purpose in Life Test and Anderson's Functional Measurement, were used to compare the way meaning of life is perceived by two groups of substance-abusing people: one group consisted of 10 people who successfully completed a six-month withdrawal program based on Frankl's Logotherapy; the other group included 15 people who dropped out at the beginning stages of the program. Most of the comparisons between these groups pointed to a more positive existential orientation (in logotherapeutic terms) among those who accomplished successful withdrawal than among the subjects who failed to complete the program. Therapeutic and methodological implications of this study's approach to the measurement of the perceptions of substance-abusing people are discussed.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, five specialised programs within one probation agency were evaluated in terms of their short-term effects upon offender clients, including a psycho-educational training course for drink-driving offenders, a structured activity program for offenders with convictions for autocrime, a probation Day Centre, a cognitive training package, and a groupwork program for women offenders.
Abstract: Five specialised programs within one probation agency were evaluated in terms of their short-term effects upon offender clients. The programs were (1) a psychoeducational training course for drink-driving offenders; (2) a structured activity program for offenders with convictions for autocrime; (3) a probation Day Centre; (4) a cognitive training package; and (5) a groupwork program for women offenders. Evaluative material included (a) descriptive information on the aims and contents of programs; (b) criminological data on clients; (c) monitoring data on attendance and dropout rates; and (d) pre- and posttest performance on a range of knowledge, attitudinal, and skills-based measures. Clients on each program were compared with control samples in custody or on Community Service Orders in a quasi-experimental design. Results are interpreted in the light of meta-analytic reviews of offender treatment-outcome research.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Hair analysis appears to be a more efficacious method of identifying drug exposure than either urinalysis or self-reported use and provides several other advantages to program operations.
Abstract: This article discusses the findings and implications regarding the use of hair assays to detect illegal drug use in a novel pretrial diversion program. The program, which requires participants to be drug abstinent, relies upon urinalysis, hair analysis, and self-reported drug use to monitor compliance. Hair analysis appears to be a more efficacious method of identifying drug exposure than either urinalysis or self-reported use. Furthermore, hair analysis provides several other advantages to program operations. No notable problems are reported in implementing the hair analysis protocols.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This paper investigated the extent of sexual and non-sexual violence committed by incest offenders against members of their family, and found that a large percentage of both groups of offenders used physical, nonsexual violence directed towards both partners and children within their homes.
Abstract: A number of reports have emphasized the lack of physical aggression and violence used by incest offenders despite evidence to the contrary from victims. The current study investigated the extent of sexual and nonsexual violence committed by incest offenders against members of their family. Two groups of offenders (38 incest offenders and 52 non-sex offenders) were compared on ratings of threats, violence, and amounts of physical aggression used in their index offenses as well as outside of their index offenses within their homes. The results of the study revealed that a large percentage of both groups of offenders used physical, nonsexual violence directed towards both partners and children within their homes. The results of this study are discussed in terms of viewing incest in isolation from other behaviours and the protection of incest victims.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the assumption that early intervention may prevent male juvenile sex offenders from developing into sexually abusive men was made, and every juvenile sex offender is seen on the day of detention at the police station.
Abstract: Every juvenile sex offender is seen on the day of detention at the police station. This project is based on the assumption that early intervention may prevent male juvenile sex offenders from developing into sexually abusive men. Assessment of the offense, diagnosis, and treatment of the juvenile have proven to be helpful. The project occurred at Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors argue that fairy tales are compatible with criminological and correctional theory, and that the therapeutic potential of the tales is real and accessible, and they are an appropriate vehicle for such a therapeutic endeavor, in terms of offenders' levels of cognition, moral rea...
Abstract: During this century, correctional policy has swung dramatically from stark punitive control to rehabilitative "cure. " We have sought a 'just model"for corrections, and we have seen "experts" go on record that "nothing works. "In our search to find the approach that best facilitates adjustment by offendersthat engenders internalization of mainstream societal valueswe seem to have overlooked a medium that has proven itself over centuries of use: fairy tales. In Future Shock, Toffler asserted that "Education's prime objective must be to increase the individual's 'cope-ability'." To establish fairy tales as the missing "cope-ability" link, this article constructs three fundamental premises: (1) Fairy tales are compatible with criminological and correctional theory. (2) The therapeutic potential of the tales is real and accessible. (3) Fairy tales, which are often viewed as "children's stories, " are an appropriate vehicle for such a therapeutic endeavor, in terms of offenders'levels of cognition, moral reaso...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the use of individual cognitive-behavioral treatment with a long-term, incarcerated exhibitionist was presented, focusing on the development of insight through informed decision making, as well as improvement in communication style and social network enhancement.
Abstract: Successful approaches to the treatment of exhibitionism, an important paraphilic disorder with respect to offense frequency, are limited in the recent literature. The use of individual cognitive-behavioral treatment with a long-term, incarcerated exhibitionist is presented. Emphasis was placed on the development of insight through informed decision making, as well as improvement in communication style and social network enhancement. Deviant sexual fantasies were targeted for change and more appropriate fantasies encouraged. Phallometric data showed a decrease in deviant responses over therapy and an increase in appropriate arousal.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The author suggests a more humane approach to the dying patient, and warns against the possibility of falling onto the so-called slippery slope of active euthanasia in the eventuality of the legalization of the practice of physician assisted suicide.
Abstract: The author discusses the sociological, psychological and medical factors at the basis of physician-assisted suicide (PAS). The patient's intolerable pain and suffering are viewed as motives for PAS, together with the physician's possible loss of a sense of professional omnipotence. Both the patient and the assisting doctor are thought to be essentially victims of a technological era. A utilitarian approach to human despair is seen as a short-sighted solution to a tragic problem. The author suggests a more humane approach to the dying patient, and warns against the possibility of falling onto the so-called slippery slope of active euthanasia in the eventuality of the legalization of the practice of physician assisted suicide.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the Lifestyle Criminality Screening Form (LCSF) was subjected to a factor analysis with image extraction and direct oblimin (oblique) rotation and the results implied the presence of a four-factor solution -antisocial identity, intrusiveness of the confining offense, family/interpersonal conflict, and poor school/work adjustment.
Abstract: The Lifestyle Criminality Screening Form (LCSF) was subjected to a factor analysis with image extraction and direct oblimin (oblique) rotation. Four samples of male federal offenders with a total N of 400 served as subjects for this study. The results implied the presence of a four-factor solution -antisocial identity, intrusiveness of the confining offense, family/interpersonal conflict, and poor school/work adjustment. The implications and limitations of these findings are discussed.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, an evaluation regarding success for completing aftercare with juvenile delinquents assigned to a fast-track intensive program is reported, and the results indicate that a significant number of youths successfully completed aftercare programming.
Abstract: An evaluation regarding success for completing aftercare with juvenile delinquents assigned to a fast-track intensive program is reported. All subjects had been assigned to a short-term intensive program after having been committed to the custody of the State of Wisconsin Division of Youth Services. The results indicate that a significant number of youths successfully completed aftercare programming.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The authors describe the selection process for candidates, safeguards, follow-up, and a support group for Clozapine treatment for schizophrenic offenders incarcerated in a correctional mental health setting.
Abstract: Clozapine treatment for schizophrenic offenders incarcerated in a correctional mental health setting is a relatively new approach in forensic psychiatry. The authors describe the selection process for candidates, safeguards, follow-up, and a support group. The majority of the group experienced symptom relief within weeks of beginning Clozapine.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, it is suggested that in modern-day cultures rehabilitative counselors consider maternal uncles for supportive assistance with delinquent youth from single-parent families, where natural fathers have little actual authority over discipline of their children.
Abstract: In societies with matrilineal descent traditions, natural fathers have little actual authority over discipline of their children. These responsibilities rest on the mother's brothers. It is suggested that in modern-day cultures rehabilitative counselors consider maternal uncles for supportive assistance.Implications for nonmatrilineal descent cultures in the United States are considered, with the observation that the majority of delinquent children live in homes exclusively ruled by mothers. Maternal kin might be of significant assistance with delinquent youth from single-parent families.In situations where "primitive" culture families have immigrated or migrated, assistance from role models from the new receiving culture might be employed.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a multivariate analysis of covariance and a two group chi-square analysis were employed to determine if a selected set of variables from the MMPI-2 (Anger, Anxiety, and Depression content scales, and Psychasthenia, Social Introversion, Psychopathic Deviance, Schizophrenia, and Hypomania) could effectively discriminate between the two groups.
Abstract: Thirty identified self-mutilating patients in a large state mental hospital were compared with 30 patients at the same facility who were matched on the basis of gender, race, and diagnosis, but were not identified as self-mutilators. A Multivariate Analysis of Covariance and a two group chi-square analysis were employed to determine if a selected set of variables from the MMPI-2 (Anger, Anxiety, and Depression content scales, and Psychasthenia, Social Introversion, Psychopathic Deviance, Schizophrenia, and Hypomania) could effectively discriminate between the two groups. Neither procedure produced results of statistical significance. The results of the study are discussed in terms of individual differences and the difficulty of establishing a profile with the MMPI-2 predictive of self-mutilative behavior.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the effects of the criminal code on treatment of substance abusers in a maximum security prison are discussed. And some suggestions on how to counteract its influences are given. But they do not consider the treatment of mental health disorders.
Abstract: When attempting to provide psychological treatment to a population of substance abusers in a maximum security prison the therapist must consider the effects of the criminal code on treatment. The following article defines the code, delineates some of the obvious effects on treatment, and offers some suggestions on how to counteract its influences.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the extent and nature of gender difference in crime from 1979 to 1993 in Taiwan, and found that both male and female total crime rates have increased, however, the maleto-female crime ratio has declined in total arrests, as well as in four types of crimes: violent, property, drug, and gambling.
Abstract: Industrialized Taiwan is facing increasing crime rates. Despite concern from the government as well as the general public, crime has hardly been researched. Research regarding gender difference in crime is nonexistent in Taiwan. This article examines the extent and nature of gender difference in crime from 1979 to 1993 in Taiwan. Data are from official arrest records in Crime Statistics. Results of a longitudinal analysis reveal that both male and female total crime rates have increased. However, the male-to-female crime ratio has declined in total arrests, as well as in four types of crimes: violent, property, drug, and gambling. The sharpest decline in gender ratio has occurred in the category of drug offenses.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Gangbangs and Drive-bys as mentioned in this paper is an insightful and revealing monograph on gang behavior, which analyzes typical patterns and forms of gang behavior over the course of a decade.
Abstract: contrary, he suggests that the gang survives by accepting the experiences and situations it shares with the community. This study is an insightful and revealing monograph on gang behavior. Gangbangs and Drive-bys, a work recommended for practitioners, researchers, and scholars of the contemporary street gang culture, is sure to broaden one’s understanding of contemporary street gangs culture. The research itself is broad, analyzing typical patterns and forms of gang behavior over

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The authors examines the relatively scarce literature on psychosocial behavioral patterns of various genetic and cytogenetic anomalies (psudeohermaphrodites) arrayed on a continuum from the most feminine to the most masculine.
Abstract: Across time and national boundaries males have been shown to be far more sociolegally deviant than females Sociological criminology's faith in environmentalism has thwarted its efforts to provide theoretically meaningful explanations of this phenomenon Biocriminality begins with the assumption that the neurohormonal differences between men and women have a lot to tell us about behavioral differences between the sexes as they apply to crime and deviance This article examines the relatively scarce literature on psychosocial behavioral patterns of various genetic and cytogenetic anomalies (psudeohermaphrodites) arrayed on a continuum from the most "feminine" to the most "masculine" Behavioral pathologies of all kinds follow the general pattern: Turner's syndrome = androgen insensitivity syndrome normal female congenital adrenal hyperplasia females normal male Klinefelter's syndrome XYY syndrome As in other scientific fields, severe departures from the norm may go a long way in helping us to define what

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present an example of a complex etymology of the word daimon, which is used interchangeably with theos (god)&dquo; (p. 135).
Abstract: Etymologies are important. They have their own stories to tell. Sometimes the &dquo;story&dquo; is clear, revealing, and informative. At other times, the &dquo;story&dquo; is complex and even confusing. An instance of the former is the word telephone. Tele in the Greek language means far, and phone means sound. Hence, telephone is etymologically a sound from afar. The same holds for the word television-sight from a distance. An example of a complex etymology is that of daimon. May (1969) has written most clearly on this topic. He noted, &dquo;In archaic Greece, the term Daimon was used interchangeably with theos (god)&dquo; (p. 135). Daimon was described by May as &dquo;any natural function which has the power to take