Showing papers in "International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology in 2019"
TL;DR: Evidence of Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) in County Lines activity is found, often as a result of debt bondage; but also, cases of young people working the lines of their own volition to obtain financial and status rewards.
Abstract: This article explores recent developments within the U.K. drug market: that is, the commuting of gang members from major cities to small rural urban areas for the purpose of enhancing their profit from drug distribution. Such practice has come to be known as working “County Lines.” We present findings drawn from qualitative research with practitioners working to address serious and organized crime and participants involved in street gangs and illicit drug supply in both Glasgow and Merseyside, United Kingdom. We find evidence of Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) in County Lines activity, often as a result of debt bondage; but also, cases of young people working the lines of their own volition to obtain financial and status rewards. In conclusion, we put forward a series of recommendations which are aimed at informing police strategy, practitioner intervention, and wider governmental policy to effectively address this growing, and highly problematic, phenomenon.
63 citations
TL;DR: Using life span developmental psychology as a guiding framework, this study traces the developmental mechanisms that come together to shape the psychopathology that drives the motivations of sexual serial killers.
Abstract: Since the 1970s, scholars have produced a large body of research attempting to establish the mechanisms by which sexual serial killers come to arrive at a life of repeat fatal violence. From the standpoint of developmental psychology, however, the explanations offered are far too limited in scope. Human development is the product of complex reciprocal transactions that occur between an individual and their environment throughout their life span. This present study is meant to encourage a critical reconsideration of past knowledge (mainly static traits) in favor of the recognition of the complexity of human development. Using life span developmental psychology as a guiding framework, this study traces the developmental mechanisms that come together to shape the psychopathology that drives the motivations of sexual serial killers.
34 citations
TL;DR: An exploration of how medical family therapy and structural family therapy can be integrated to inform the treatment of incarcerated individuals and their families who are experiencing a physical health illness.
Abstract: The incarcerated population is considered an underserved population, specifically in regard to their ability to access and receive mental health services. There is a gap in existing literature addressing the mental health needs of incarcerated individuals who also suffer from chronic illnesses. The purpose of this case study is to provide an exploration of how medical family therapy and structural family therapy can be integrated to inform the treatment of incarcerated individuals and their families who are experiencing a physical health illness. A case application will be provided to highlight how the integrated approach can be utilized to conceptualize and treat those incarcerated and their families. Treatment was shown to be effective as evidenced by the outcomes of an incarcerated mother with HIV and her daughter.
33 citations
TL;DR: The implications of incorporating multicultural family therapy into incarcerated settings can serve to improve relationships, leading to better outcomes at reentry and reductions in recidivism rates.
Abstract: Incarceration rates have increased significantly since the 1990s, with more than two million adults in federal, state, and local facilities. More than half of the offenders report a history of mental health issues, highlighting the importance of offenders having access to effective therapeutic approaches, including individual, couples, and family counseling. Traditionally, the focus of mental health services has been individual treatment; however, family members are also significantly impacted by the offender's absence during incarceration. Incorporating family members into treatment can serve to improve relationships, leading to better outcomes at reentry and reductions in recidivism rates. Given the preponderance of persons of color in the incarcerated population, diversity issues in counseling must also be addressed. The purpose of the underlined article is to explore the implications of incorporating multicultural family therapy into incarcerated settings.
31 citations
TL;DR: Investigating the question of the specificity of sexual homicide offenders by comparing three types of crimes suggests that the sexual murderer and his crime should be analyzed through the lens of a unique type of crime.
Abstract: The current study investigates the question of the specificity of sexual homicide offenders by comparing three types of crimes: sexual homicide, nonsexual homicide, and violent sexual assault. The comparison is based on victim, offender and modus operandi characteristics throughout 102 variables. The sample has been taken from a French national police database including 1,736 cases. Among these cases, there are 463 nonsexual homicides, 173 sexual homicides and 1,100 violent sexual assaults. Bivariate and multivariate analyses are performed to highlight the differences. Major differences are observed between, on one hand, sexual homicides and, on the other hand, nonsexual homicides and violent sexual assaults. These differences focus mainly on the offender and modus operandi characteristics. By analyzing specifically the type of observed differences, this research suggests that the sexual murderer and his crime should be analyzed through the lens of a unique type of crime. Findings present implications in terms of correctional practices, offender treatment, and rehabilitation.
30 citations
TL;DR: Findings showed that sexual homicide of children is a heterogeneous phenomenon, largely influenced by the actual age of the victim and the type of violence used.
Abstract: The sexual homicide of a child is an unusual event, and very few studies have been conducted on the topic. Previous studies have mainly focused on the differences between sexual homicide of child and adult victims. The current study aims to identify a typology of sexual homicide of children based on modus operandi, offenders' and victims' characteristics. Using two-step cluster analysis on a sample of 72 cases of extra familial sexual homicide of children (aged 16 years or below) from France, six clusters have been identified on the basis of eight modus operandi variables: intentional/prepubescent, inadvertent/prepubescent, intentional/preteen, inadvertent/preteen, indiscriminate/teen, and intentional/teen. External validity of the classification was tested using 51 additional variables related to victims, offenders, and other modus operandi characteristics. Findings showed that sexual homicide of children is a heterogeneous phenomenon, largely influenced by the actual age of the victim and the type of violence used. Implications of the findings are discussed considering prevention, criminal investigation, and correctional practices.
26 citations
TL;DR: Results suggest that peers’ lived experiences were useful in building rapport with clients, and future research should examine the effectiveness of peer assistance on client-level health outcomes, including recidivism.
Abstract: The aim of this article was to describe the implementation and qualitative outcomes of peer reentry specialists ("peers") on housing attainment, mental health, and substance use problems, and increased life domain functioning. One-on-one interviews were conducted with peers and clients to understand the program implementation, peer experiences, and progress toward target outcomes. Data were iteratively coded using inductive thematic identification and data reduction. Results suggest that peers' lived experiences were useful in building rapport with clients. Peers applied their lived experiences to assist clients in seeking treatment for substance use and mental health conditions, in addition to helping them locate housing and employment. Several structural barriers prevented peers from addressing client needs. Peer time was routinely consumed by assisting clients in seeking identification, requisite for treatment or use of health care services, housing or securing employment. Findings suggested peers were working to address many client needs. Future research should examine the effectiveness of peer assistance on client-level health outcomes, including recidivism.
19 citations
TL;DR: It is concluded that different service responses may be required to meet the diverse needs of these groups of young people under youth justice supervision according to the level of exposure to the child protection system in an Australian jurisdiction.
Abstract: There is now convincing evidence that childhood maltreatment is associated with youth offending; however, relatively little is known about the characteristics and needs of those who are involved in both the child protection and youth justice systems, and the extent to which these might differ according to level of child protection involvement. This study reports the characteristics and needs of 2,045 young people who were under supervision in secure custody or detention in South Australia between 1995 and 2012 according to the level of exposure to the child protection system in an Australian jurisdiction. Five groups of young offenders were compared: (a) no known child protection notifications or substantiated experience of abuse and/or neglect, (b) notifications only, (c) substantiated notifications, (d) notifications or substantiations and subsequent placement in out-of-home care (OHC), and (e) placement in OHC only. The results indicate that young people who have a history of child protection system involvement have significantly greater and more complex needs than those who have no child protection experience. It is concluded that different service responses may be required to meet the diverse needs of these groups of young people under youth justice supervision.
17 citations
TL;DR: The results show that smaller groups of inmates have persistent criminal careers and continually engaged in high level of misconduct relative to other identified clusters, which could provide vital information to prison officials in developing and designing alternative prison services, assistance, and rehabilitation programs based on the misconduct trajectories.
Abstract: Recent prison scholarship has employed an integrated model of the developmental/life-course perspectives and importation model to examine prison misconduct. Using longitudinal data from a large sam...
17 citations
TL;DR: Officers who had higher perceptions of distributive fairness and interaction in the organization had lower odds of receiving misconduct-related complaints and greater interaction was found to be associated with reduced job stress among prison officers.
Abstract: Primarily, this article examines the role of organizational justice in understanding prison officers’ behavior. The authors surveyed 169 correctional officers across five correctional facilities in...
16 citations
TL;DR: Using survey data collected from a sample of police officers in India, the relationship between four dimensions of WFC and two dimensions of organizational commitment was examined and family-based WFC was found to reduce continuance commitment, while strain- based WFC reduced affective commitment.
Abstract: Policing is a stressful occupation that may give rise to work-family conflict (WFC). WFC arises when the work domain encroaches into the family domain, or vice versa, causing officers to become less attached to their job and the police organization. Using survey data collected from a sample of police officers in India, we examined the relationship between four dimensions of WFC (time-based, strain-based, behavior-based, and family-based WFC) and two dimensions of organizational commitment (continuance and affective). Family-based WFC was found to reduce continuance commitment, while strain-based WFC reduced affective commitment. Time-based, strain-based, and behavior-based WFC increased continuance commitment. We examined the implications of these findings for police policy makers and administrators. In addition, we also discussed our findings in the context of cross-cultural comparisons.
TL;DR: It is found that psychopathy was a significant risk factor for suicidal ideation and lifetime suicide attempts, but the latter relationship was attenuated by lifetime depression diagnosis and certain affective psychopathic features conferred protection against suicidality.
Abstract: Suicide is the leading cause of death for incarcerated youth, and up to half of all juveniles in confinement experience suicidal ideation in addition to other psychopathology, including psychopathic personality features. Unfortunately, limited research has investigated the psychopathy–suicidality link among juvenile delinquents and using newer psychopathy measures. Based upon a statewide population of incarcerated juvenile offenders, we found that psychopathy was a significant risk factor for suicidal ideation and lifetime suicide attempts, but the latter relationship was attenuated by lifetime depression diagnosis. In addition, certain affective psychopathic features such as Stress Immunity conferred protection against suicidality, whereas behavioral and lifestyle components including Carefree Nonplanfulness, Blame Externalization, and Rebellious Nonconformity were positively linked to suicidal thoughts among the youth offenders. As these risk factors are routinely screened for in juvenile justice settings, this study’s findings have considerable implications to applied practice and prevention among juvenile justice involved youth.
TL;DR: This revised SADSEX-SH scale may prove useful for investigators, clinicians, and institutional professionals in helping to identify and address sexual sadism in sexual homicide offenders.
Abstract: The Sexual Homicide Crime Scene Rating Scale for Sexual Sadism (SADSEX-SH) is a rating scale which dimensionally measures the degree of offender sexual sadism in suspected sexual homicide cases. Scoring is accomplished using crime scene and related investigative information. Preliminary norms for the SADSEX-SH prototype indicate that it correctly classified offenders with and without sexual sadism. This study further assessed SADSEX-SH sensitivity, specificity, and inter-rater reliability by comparing a larger sample of male sexual homicide offenders with (n = 20) and without (n = 20) sexual sadism. Two items generally undetectable at crime scenes were removed from the originally proposed 10-item scale, resulting in a final 8-item version. SADSEX-SH total scores for the two groups significantly differed (7.7 ± 3.5, range = 2-14 vs. 2.6 ± 2.0, range = 0-7, t = 5.58, p < .001). Inter-rater reliability was excellent (intraclass correlation coefficients [ICCs] = 0.6-1.0). Using a revised cutoff score of 6, sensitivity was 70.0% and specificity was 90%. This revised scale may prove useful for investigators, clinicians, and institutional professionals in helping to identify and address sexual sadism in sexual homicide offenders.
TL;DR: Associate measures of sexual sadism and PCL-R measures were moderately associated and played key roles in sexual homicide, interact with each other, and determine different aspects of offences and offenders.
Abstract: Sexual sadism and psychopathy are often considered synonymous with sexual homicide, but there is limited research on their associates in sexual homicide offenders. Associates of dimensional measures of sexual sadism (Sexual Sadism Scale; SeSaS) and psychopathy (Psychopathy Check List-Revised [PCL-R] total, Factor 1, and Factor 2) were examined in 51 male Scottish cases. Over a third were DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV) sexual sadists, just under a third screened in with the SeSaS, and a quarter were "Hare psychopaths." Sexual sadism and PCL-R measures were moderately associated. Sexual sadism predicted control, sexual deviance, and unusual behaviour at crime scenes; attempted homicide and having a co-accused; and multiple sexual homicides and previous sexual offending. PCL-R Factor 1 predicted violent, exploitative, and evading detection behaviours at crime scenes; completed homicide; and previous violent offending. PCL-R Factor 2 predicted impulsive behaviours at crime scenes, substance misuse, and previous general offending. Psychopathy and sexual sadism play key roles in sexual homicide, interact with each other, and determine different aspects of offences and offenders.
TL;DR: It is suggested that both Korean and Canadian sexual homicide cases present not only similar patterns but also some specific differences, mainly related to their criminal history, the offender’s age, forensic awareness, and some modus operandi characteristics such as the type of violence and the use of a weapon.
Abstract: Sexual homicide is a crime of rare occurrence. However, crime severity surveys ranked this form of sexual violence as the second most serious crime. Despite an increase in recent years in the publication of empirical studies on sexual homicide, most of these studies originate from Western countries. Therefore, to our knowledge, no studies to date have tested whether the country where sexual homicides are committed influences the way these crimes are executed by the offenders. The current study attempts to shed additional light on the sexual homicide offender (SHO) by comparing Korean and Canadian SHOs as well as comparing both groups of SHOs with a group of nonsexual homicide offenders (NSHOs). Findings suggest that both Korean and Canadian sexual homicide cases present not only similar patterns but also some specific differences, mainly related to their criminal history, the offender's age, forensic awareness, and some modus operandi characteristics such as the type of violence and the use of a weapon. Findings are discussed in light of cultural differences between the two countries.
TL;DR: In formulating a desistance theory of crime and delinquency, criminologists need to revise and evaluate traditional labeling theory with life histories of offenders in the desistance process to inform the coping mechanism of more offenders, as well as the appropriate techniques and strategies to reduce recidivism.
Abstract: Labeling theory contends that an acquisition of a criminal status can be very problematic for offenders navigating into adulthood. This article examines this assertion with the life story of 23 juvenile delinquents. The objective of the study was to gain insight into how the negative reactions of friends, families, and society worked to change and reinforced their offending behavior. The qualitative data which resulted from the use of semi-structured interview guide revealed that self-motivation of offenders to move into "new" neighborhoods and the lack of labeling triggered a turning point among those who desisted than the persistent offenders. The theoretical implication of this finding is that labeling per se may not necessarily explain persistence in crime considering how those who desisted from crime maneuvered their labeling status in the face of discrimination. In formulating a desistance theory of crime and delinquency, criminologists need to revise and evaluate traditional labeling theory with life histories of offenders in the desistance process. This shift in paradigm will inform the coping mechanism of more offenders, as well as the appropriate techniques and strategies to reduce recidivism. Strengthening prison aftercare programs, provision of institutional and social support, and the integration of residential change into post offenders' treatment therapy will be in the right direction for policy makers.
TL;DR: A quantitative analysis was utilized to understand the factors associated with rejection for individuals who sought membership in the organized and sophisticated closed forum run by and for cybercriminals called Darkode, and demonstrated that individuals whose perceived engagement with the hacker community and cybercrime marketplace were considered too risky for membership.
Abstract: Research examining the illicit online market for cybercrime services operating via web forums, such as malicious software, personal information, and hacking tools, has greatly improved our understa...
TL;DR: Both participants and instructors/prison staff reported improvements in all of the addressed domains and expressed satisfaction with the intervention, and challenges were mainly identified in practical issues regarding the organization of the intervention sessions.
Abstract: Mindfulness intervention aims to reduce stress and to improve physical and mental health. The present study investigated feasibility and effectiveness of mindfulness intervention in a prison context, in both a qualitative and quantitative fashion. Specifically, the mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) intervention was investigated, in a retrospective pre-post design, in five Dutch prisons. Twenty-two inmates (out of 25 approached, mean age: 40.1 years (SD = 11.1), convicted of murder, manslaughter, sexual offenses, drug offenses, robbery with violence, and/or illegal restraint/kidnap, and sentenced to incarceration between 15 and 209 months (M = 5.5 years; SD = 3.8) took part in a semistructured interview after completion of the MBSR intervention. The interviews addressed level of satisfaction and challenges regarding the MBSR intervention as well as potential effects on stress responsivity, coping style, impulse control, aggression, and self-esteem. Ten staff members and four MBSR instructors were interviewed about their own practical issues experienced while providing or facilitating the MBSR intervention, and about the effects or changes they observed in the inmates who underwent the intervention. Both participants and instructors/prison staff reported improvements in all of the addressed domains and expressed satisfaction with the intervention. Challenges were mainly identified in practical issues regarding the organization of the intervention sessions. Future studies should investigate mindfulness in longitudinal randomly controlled designs, should strive for a multi-method approach, and distinguish inmates according to personality characteristics.
TL;DR: Examination of how Chinese prisoners’ participation in vocational and academic programs is associated with a range of push and pull factors shows that some factors found to affect inmate participation in the West failed to demonstrate significant relationships with participation among Chinese prisoners.
Abstract: Although the idea of criminal rehabilitation in China has a long history, research on offender rehabilitation in contemporary China is limited. Although Chinese scholars generally agree that rehabi...
TL;DR: It is suggested that halfway houses are an effective correctional strategy for successful reentry (log odds ratio [LOR] = 0.236, z = 9.27, p < .001) and further work is needed to determine best practices for programming and meeting the needs of different participants.
Abstract: Halfway houses are a form of community supervision and correctional programming that have become a staple intervention in recent years. Despite the ingrained belief in their benefits with respect to successful reintegration, this assumption may not be justified based on the existing literature. The current study provides a systematic review and meta-analysis of nine studies examining the effects of halfway houses on recidivism. Overall, the findings suggest that halfway houses are an effective correctional strategy for successful reentry (log odds ratio [LOR] = 0.236, z = 9.27, p < .001). Further work is needed to determine best practices for programming and meeting the needs of different participants.
TL;DR: The findings indicate that greater social, community, and spiritual support were correlated with lower mental health scores, and the strongest predictor was perceived social support.
Abstract: The incarcerated population has been substantially burdened by syndemic productions involving mental health illness and substance abuse problems. The present analysis describes the mental health sy...
TL;DR: The present study adds to a small body of literature regarding the impact of media on criminal justiceStudents’ decisions, and seeks to identify the factors that influence students’ choices, regarding their major/career goals.
Abstract: The media tends to influence public perceptions of the criminal justice system. The media's impact, known as the CSI Effect, is not well documented in criminal justice majors. The present study adds to a small body of literature regarding the impact of media on criminal justice students' decisions, and seeks to identify the factors that influence students' choices, regarding their major/career goals. Based on the results from surveys administered at an urban university in the United States, most criminal justice students reported that they were not influenced by the media, yet the vast majority believed this to be true of their fellow majors. These students chose criminal justice because they found the subject matter interesting and relevant to the real world, and they wanted to work in a field in which they could be a problem solver. Upon graduation, these students overwhelmingly reported an interest in pursuing a career in federal law enforcement. Unfortunately, corrections, a field dedicated to working with offenders, was the lowest preferred profession among criminal justice students.
TL;DR: Results show that family, friend, and intimate partner support had no effects on recidivism, however participants reporting a positive relationship with their parole officer were more likely to return to prison.
Abstract: Social support is important for individual's successful reentry; however, little is known about how it operates or is influenced by individual and structural factors. Understanding how social support matters for individuals convicted of a sex offense is especially important as they may have a different reentry experience due to the nature of their crime and post-conviction restrictions. This study examines the nature and effects of instrumental and expressive social support from family, friends, intimate partners, and parole officers on recidivism for a sample of men convicted of sex offenses using mixed methods. Results show that family, friend, and intimate partner support had no effects on recidivism, however participants reporting a positive relationship with their parole officer were more likely to return to prison. Qualitative analysis of in-depth interviews sheds light on how the nature of these relationships might explain the social support-recidivism link in a high stakes population.
TL;DR: Based on an ethnographic study with 58 participants released from a Romanian prison, this study revisits the pains of release and illustrates the complexity of the reentry process.
Abstract: Based on an ethnographic study with 58 participants released from a Romanian prison, this study revisits the pains of release and illustrates the complexity of the reentry process. Some of the pains of reentry seem universal while others seem to be context dependent. In the same time, some pains of release are personal, others social, while others are structural. Concepts of intersectionality and the multi-level model of reentry are discussed, and further suggestions for research are advanced.
TL;DR: Female sex worker must weigh possible outcomes in terms of the resulting benefits or consequences, and needs to be extended to individualization in the Chinese context.
Abstract: Academic discussions of the sex industry need to consider sex worker's experience within the conceptual framework of "edgework." Edgework is voluntary risky activity that combines danger with excitement and emotional pleasure. This article argues female sex worker must weigh possible outcomes in terms of the resulting benefits or consequences. The notion of edgework articulated by Stephen Lyng proposed there is a fine line for risky behavior going from pleasurable and manageable to turning dangerous and chaotic. This description of edgework applies to female sex workers, and needs to be extended to individualization in the Chinese context. Research data collected from two distinct ethnographies in Dongguan (195 sex workers) and Hong Kong (39 sex workers). The research findings provide insights into the experiences and motivations of an underexamined niche segment of sex workers. A significant number of sex workers embody the perspective of edgework to maintain self-esteem in difficult circumstances. For example, edgework explains several aspects of sex work including notions of excitement and personal pleasure, developing skills within the craft, developing interpersonal networks with peers, and gaining personal happiness through fulfilling sexual desire.
TL;DR: Findings show that the only rehabilitation program that promised significant and positive outcomes for its completers was the more comprehensive one operating at Hermon Prison.
Abstract: This study examines whether there is variability between the effects of three different drug rehabilitation programs operating in the Israeli Prison Service (IPS) on completers' recidivism. By performing comparative analysis, this study attempts to address the problem of assessing the role of participants' motivation. The study uses a rich administrative data obtained from the IPS system to develop a propensity score matching (PSM) approach where the treatment groups consist of only those who completed the programs, and the comparison groups consist of drug-addicted prisoners who have not taken part in any drug rehabilitation program. After matching, prisoners in the treatment and comparison groups are found to be similar on all known characteristics. Findings show that the only rehabilitation program that promised significant and positive outcomes for its completers was the more comprehensive one operating at Hermon Prison. Prisoners who completed the treatment were incarcerated and arrested less than their comparison group. The "golden strategy" for rehabilitating drug-using prisoners, then, will be twofold. The program should be based on the promising components of rehabilitation, that is, cognitive behavioral therapy, therapeutic community, long duration, intensity, and positive social climate. The program should also succeed in retaining its participants through completion.
TL;DR: Using three time points, the findings indicated that MAT did not play a significant role in the reduction of substance use, risky behaviors, or mental health symptoms or increasing the odds of successful court graduation, but there was an overall improvement from intake to termination in reduction of Substance use, Risky behaviors, and mental health symptomatology.
Abstract: Adults presenting with substance use and mental health disorders in the criminal justice system is well documented. While studies have examined drug courts and medication-assisted treatment (MAT), few have examined social and behavioral health indicators, and even fewer have multiple study periods. This study employed a comprehensive approach to studying the MAT contribution to drug court success; reduce substance use, mental health symptoms, and risky behaviors; and the role that violence or trauma plays in mental health symptomatology. Using three time points, our findings indicated that MAT did not play a significant role in the reduction of substance use, risky behaviors, or mental health symptoms or increasing the odds of successful court graduation. However, there was an overall improvement from intake to termination in reduction of substance use, risky behaviors, and mental health symptomatology. Other factors, including social support, may play a role in drug court graduation. Policy implications are discussed.
TL;DR: Examining legislation in 27 countries utilizing the Second International Self-Report Delinquency Study through hierarchical linear modeling models with both individual- and country-level controls with little support for hypotheses that policies on the more punitive end of McDonald and colleagues’ classification will be most effective.
Abstract: Prior research that assesses the relationship between cannabis policy and prevalence rates has yielded mixed results, perhaps due to the varying rigor of these investigations. Addressing some of these issues in rigor and informed by a rational choice theory (RCT), we hypothesize that those policies on the more punitive end of McDonald and colleagues' classification will be most effective. Examining legislation in 27 countries utilizing the Second International Self-Report Delinquency Study (ISRD-2) through hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) models with both individual- and country-level controls, we find little support for these hypotheses. Instead, results from our analysis largely indicate that the variation in country prevalence rates from 2005 to 2007 was not significantly related to cannabis control policy. We comment on possible policy implications for these preliminary results.
TL;DR: The findings indicate that among prisoners who had participated in the supervision program, there is better integration into employment, a higher wage level, and lower rate of reincarceration.
Abstract: The present research examines the integration into employment of prisoners on parole who had been under the supervision of the Prisoner Rehabilitation Authority during the period 2007-2010. The supervision program included rehabilitation in the community, with the emphasis on employment. The research compares integration in employment and rates of reincarceration for the supervised group with prisoners who had been released from prison after serving their full sentences. The findings indicate that among prisoners who had participated in the supervision program, there is better integration into employment, a higher wage level, and lower rate of reincarceration. Based on these results, it may be tentatively inferred that the supervision program possesses a high potential for reintegrating released prisoners into the community.
TL;DR: A content analysis of international peer-reviewed research studies was conducted to fill a current gap in the literature on aging, mental health, and the criminal justice system and provides a comprehensive assessment of the methods used in prior studies to help improve future studies.
Abstract: To fill a current gap in the literature on aging, mental health, and the criminal justice system, a content analysis of international peer-reviewed research studies was conducted. A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify English language research studies published in 2018-19. Forty-four articles were located using keyword search terms, such as aging, mental health, and criminal justice. The methods and major findings were analyzed using deductive and inductive approaches. It was found that the majority of the research studies were conducted in the United States and England. The results of the inductive analyses revealed major themes related to mental health detection and access to services, comorbid conditions, and the relationship of age, mental health, criminal behavior, and the social determinants of mental health. Findings from this review have significant implications for advancing epidemiological research, practice, and policy, especially as it relates to the influence of the social determinants of health of aging on life course mental health and criminal justice involvement. Research findings about the correlates and consequences of the social determinants of health, especially as it relates to aging, mental health, and criminal justice involvement, can be used to inform prevention and intervention efforts that target the social determinants of life course health and criminal justice involvement. It also provides a comprehensive assessment of the m methods used in prior studies to help improve future studies in this important area of investigation.