Showing papers in "The Prison Journal in 2014"
TL;DR: The authors evaluated the effectiveness of prison-based educational programming by examining the effects of obtaining secondary and post-secondary degrees on recidivism and post release employment in the US Prison System.
Abstract: This study evaluated the effectiveness of prison-based educational programming by examining the effects of obtaining secondary and post-secondary degrees on recidivism and post-release employment o...
102 citations
TL;DR: The authors found that little recidivism research focuses on in-prison social ties, despite evidence that social tie is correlated with criminal behavior, and that family relationships influence criminal behavior in general.
Abstract: Criminological theories have long suggested that family relationships influence criminal behavior. Yet, little recidivism research focuses on in-prison social ties. Despite evidence that social tie...
77 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the relationship between detention length, living group climate, coping, and treatment motivation among 59 juvenile delinquents in a Dutch youth correctional facility and found that a more open group climate was associated with both more active coping and greater treatment motivation.
Abstract: This study examined the relationship between detention length, living group climate, coping, and treatment motivation among 59 juvenile delinquents in a Dutch youth correctional facility. Longer detention was associated with the perception of a more open living group climate, but proved to be unrelated to coping and treatment motivation. A repressive group climate was positively associated with passive coping. A more open group climate was associated with both more active coping and greater treatment motivation. Finally, analyses showed that the relation between open group climate and treatment motivation was mediated by active coping. Thus, creating an open group climate to foster active coping and greater treatment motivation is probably one of the most important challenges for youth correctional facilities.
62 citations
TL;DR: This paper employed nationally representative prisoner survey data to assess gender-specific explanations of prison rule violations, including prior victimization, diagnosed mental disorders, and the amount of inmate contact with their families via visits and phone calls.
Abstract: This article addresses gender differences in the extent and explanation of inmate misconduct. The study employs nationally representative prisoner survey data to assess gender-specific explanations of prison rule violations. The gender-specific factors include prior victimization, diagnosed mental disorders, and the amount of inmate contact with their families via visits and phone calls. Logistic regression models support gender-specific explanations of inmate misconduct but also identify other factors of general importance. The policy implications of gendered pathways in prison misconduct are discussed.
62 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined perceived physical health, psychological distress, and social support among prison officers in the United Kingdom, and found that prison officers reported poor perception of physical health and a high level of psychological distress.
Abstract: This research examines perceived physical health, psychological distress, and social support among prison officers in the United Kingdom. The study found that prison officers reported poor perceived physical health and a high level of psychological distress. There were significant correlations between measures of perceived physical health and a measure of psychological distress (indicating that as perceived physical health decreased, psychological distress increased). There was some evidence that social support from within the prison moderated the relationship between perceived physical health and psychological distress, whereas social support from significant others did not. Future research and clinical implications of these findings are considered.
44 citations
TL;DR: Wang et al. as discussed by the authors conducted a literature review of Chinese language publications and face-to-face interviews with local community corrections leaders and officers in Hubei, China.
Abstract: China has long utilized community-based corrections for offenders. Before 2003, however, the practice lacked formalization and professionalization. Since 2003, prison overcrowding, a need for cost-effectiveness, and a move toward a more civilized method of reforming offenders have sped up China’s use of community corrections. Based on a literature review of Chinese language publications and face-to-face interviews with local community corrections leaders and officers in Hubei, China, this is an exploratory study of community corrections in mainland China. We briefly examine the practice’s developmental history and five types of sanctions—public surveillance, probation, parole, temporary execution of a sentence outside a confinement facility, and deprivation of political rights. China’s community corrections’ characteristics and implementation are investigated. Finally, the article discusses problems and challenges to China’s community corrections system.
40 citations
TL;DR: This article examined pre-prison experiences and environmental influences to determine the effects of institutional misconduct and symptoms of depression related to adjustment in Taiwan's women's prisons, and found that depression was associated with institutional misconduct.
Abstract: Pre-prison experiences and environmental influences were examined to determine the effects of institutional misconduct and symptoms of depression related to adjustment in Taiwan’s women’s prisons. ...
33 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, researchers have established that prisons are violent spaces where prisoners use aggressive or passive strategies to manage the threat of victimization, using in-depth semi-structured interviews.
Abstract: Researchers have established that prisons are violent spaces where prisoners use aggressive or passive strategies to manage the threat of victimization. Using in-depth semi-structured interviews, t...
32 citations
TL;DR: It is suggested that prison nursery co-residence with developmental support confers some resilience in children who experience early maternal incarceration, and co-Residence programs should be promoted as a best practice for incarcerated childbearing women.
Abstract: This study examined long-term outcomes of children who spent their first one to eighteen months in a US prison nursery. Behavioral development in 47 preschool children who lived in a prison nursery was compared with 64 children from a large national dataset who were separated from their mothers because of incarceration. Separation was associated with significantly worse anxious/depressed scores, even after controlling for risks in the caregiving environment. Findings suggest that prison nursery co-residence with developmental support confers some resilience in children who experience early maternal incarceration. Co-residence programs should be promoted as a best practice for incarcerated childbearing women.
31 citations
TL;DR: A growing body of research suggests that religion ameliorates many pains and problems of imprisonment as discussed by the authors, and the purpose of this study is to examine the effects of religion on male inmates.
Abstract: A growing body of research—much of which has focused on male inmates—suggests that religion ameliorates many pains and problems of imprisonment. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects ...
25 citations
TL;DR: This article examined the recidivism covariates of 610 released inmates who were confined in a supermax unit in 2004 and found that those who did recidivate were younger, more likely to be serving time for a drug offense, and had a history of prior incarcerations and disciplinary infractions while incarcerated.
Abstract: This study examines the recidivism covariates of 610 released inmates who were confined in a supermax unit in 2004. Follow-up data (an average of 66 months from prison release in 2004) were collected for each inmate to assess the recidivism covariates of those who re-engaged in crime after prison release. The findings show that when compared with ex-supermax inmates who did not recidivate, those who did were younger, more likely to be serving time for a drug offense, and had a history of prior incarcerations and disciplinary infractions while incarcerated. Time to recidivate, however, was significantly predicted by gang membership, length of sentence, and prior substance abuse history. The implications of this research are discussed.
TL;DR: In this paper, a qualitative study examined the perceived barriers to women's success on parole and found that women parolees identified economic variables as critical barriers to their parole adjustment, and that women are faced with daunting challenges that may impede their success.
Abstract: The number of women under community supervision has increased in recent years. However, empirical research on women parolees’ experiences is quite limited. Women parolees are faced with daunting challenges that may impede their success on parole. Using face-to-face interviews with 60 women parolees in a Southern state, this qualitative study examined the perceived barriers to women’s success on parole. Women parolees identified economic variables as critical barriers to their parole adjustment.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors address what many observers of Texas’ prison gangs perceive as significant changes in the hierarchical structure of various Latino groups, focusing on the state's central and eastern regions.
Abstract: This article addresses what many observers of Texas’ prison gangs perceive as significant changes in the hierarchical structure of various Latino groups. Focusing on the state’s central and eastern...
TL;DR: This article investigated the relationship between Chinese female offenders' prison adjustment and their perception of social support using both quantitative and qualitative methods and found that female offenders perceived social support as positive and negative.
Abstract: In this article, we investigate the relationship between Chinese female offenders’ prison adjustment and their perception of social support using both quantitative and qualitative methods. We find ...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors focus on self-injurious behavior (SIB) in incarcerated women, including the importance of identifying risk factors, understanding the psychological functions of SIB, addressing the influence of gender on treatment, and acknowledging challenges unique to the correctional environment.
Abstract: Treating self-injurious behavior (SIB) is a challenge in any environment. There is an increased level of complexity when this type of behavior occurs in a female correctional facility. This article focuses on SIB in incarcerated women, including the importance of identifying risk factors, understanding the psychological functions of SIB, addressing the influence of gender on treatment, and acknowledging challenges unique to the correctional environment. Treatment recommendations specific to incarcerated females, such as motivational interviewing and a cognitive behavioral approach, provide guidance to address the underlying causes of SIB and the development of healthier coping behaviors for female inmates. Effective management of SIB in a female correctional facility simultaneously reduces the burden on staff and increases the safety of staff and inmates.
TL;DR: The Serious and Violent Offender Reentry Initiative (SVORI) as discussed by the authors was used to develop and/or fill gaps in reentry strategies through the New Jersey SVORI intervention and evaluated its relative impacts on participants' rearrest rates.
Abstract: In 2003, the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, in collaboration with other federal partner agencies provided approximately US$110 million in funding to all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands to develop and/or fill gaps in reentry strategies through the Serious and Violent Offender Reentry Initiative (SVORI). This article describes the New Jersey SVORI intervention approach and evaluates its relative impacts on participants’ rearrest rates. SVORI participants are compared with randomly selected parolees (n = 100) and unconditional releases (n = 100) that did not receive services through SVORI but otherwise met the inclusion criteria of the New Jersey SVORI intervention. Results indicate that SVORI participants were rearrested at a significantly lower rate during the follow-up period when compared with both of the non-SVORI groups. Policy issues are discussed by the authors.
TL;DR: This paper examined the contextual reality of correctional excessive use of force claims and identified recurring themes in these claims, highlighting the common occurrence of retaliatory violence, negative attitudes, failure to listen to inmate concerns, inadequate training, and an inability to decipher reliable threat cues consistently present in correctional officer use of non-deadly force claims.
Abstract: Despite recent research demonstrating the impact of inmate perceptions of correctional legitimacy on order maintenance, the extant literature has failed to examine the contextual reality of correctional excessive use of force claims. Utilizing legal cases from the U.S. Court of Appeals and U.S. District Courts, this article examines correctional officer excessive use of non-deadly force and identifies recurring themes in these claims. Findings highlight the common occurrence of retaliatory violence, negative attitudes, failure to listen to inmate concerns, inadequate training, and an inability to decipher reliable threat cues consistently present in correctional officer use of non-deadly force claims. Suggestions for future research and policy implications are offered.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors focus on three aspects salient to the narratives of former prisoners in Hong Kong: their views regarding aging and aging out of crime, their felt sense of agency or willpower to "go straight", and challenges to expressions of agency related to employment and facing family members.
Abstract: Research on desistance from crime has focused largely on Western regions. While culture has been identified as an important factor to consider, desistance studies largely hold cultural context constant. In this exploratory article, we offer one of the first qualitative examinations of ex-convict resettlement in East Asia. We focus on three aspects salient to the narratives of former prisoners in Hong Kong: their views regarding aging and aging out of crime, their felt sense of agency or willpower to “go straight,” and challenges to expressions of agency related to employment and facing family members. The pivotal importance and mediating effects of social support is underscored. Implications for research on desistance focused outside of occidental regions are explored.
TL;DR: While mothers and non-mothers share some characteristics, they differ on several others, most notably demographic profile, mental health, and timing of contacts with the criminal justice system as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Research has consistently shown that most women under the control of the criminal justice system are mothers. The robustness of this finding has been accompanied by a failure to consider the characteristics and needs of women without children. In this study, we examine data on 1,334 formerly incarcerated women. Findings indicate that while mothers and non-mothers share some characteristics, they differ on several others, most notably demographic profile, mental health, and timing of contacts with the criminal justice system. These results suggest a need to recognize the diversity among women offender groups, particularly when developing policies and programs need.
TL;DR: Parole rejection/approval of inmates is subject to the decision-making of the parole board members of each prison as discussed by the authors, and previous studies have found that many factors influence the decision of the Parole Board.
Abstract: Parole rejection/approval of inmates is subject to the decision-making of the parole board members of each prison. Previous studies have found that many factors influence the decision of the parole...
TL;DR: Restorative justice (RJ) in the secure estate is widespread internationally, although piecemeal and inconsistent in its application as mentioned in this paper, and it exists in the form of many practices such as mediation, confe...
Abstract: Restorative justice (RJ) in the secure estate is widespread internationally, although piecemeal and inconsistent in its application. It exists in the form of many practices such as mediation, confe...
TL;DR: In this article, the validity of the Self-Appraisal Questionnaire (SAQ) has been questioned for use with females, using a random sample of 543 incarcerated women.
Abstract: The Self-Appraisal Questionnaire (SAQ) holds promise as a self-report measure that predicts the risk of recidivism and assesses treatment needs for incarcerated populations. However, its validity has been questioned for use with females. Using a random sample of 543 incarcerated women, we assessed the validity of the SAQ by examining differences in scale scores and Receiver Operating Characteristic curves using multiple measures of violent behavior among women. Self-reported violence, versus a violent conviction, was a strong predictor of SAQ scores, but many of those in the most violent group did not meet the published cut scores that indicate treatment need, suggesting the need for adjusting these thresholds for women.
TL;DR: This introduction briefly states the reasons for the issue and its manuscript reviewing process, and there are six papers in this issue, covering institutional corrections and community corrections in Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Japan.
Abstract: There is a lack of publications on corrections in Asia in English language journals. This special issue was taken to fill this void. This introduction briefly states the reasons for the issue and its manuscript reviewing process. There are six papers in this issue, covering institutional corrections and community corrections in Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Japan.
TL;DR: The authors examines the Sugamo Shimbun (the Sugamo Weekly News), written by Sugamo prisoners between 1948 and 1952 during the Allied occupation of Japan, in broader domestic and international political contexts.
Abstract: This article examines the Sugamo Shimbun (the Sugamo Weekly News), written by Sugamo prisoners between 1948 and 1952 during the Allied occupation of Japan, in broader domestic and international political contexts. The prisoners questioned the legitimacy of both Allied and Japanese authorities as the United States initiated its Cold War strategies with Japanese government support. The newspaper demonstrates that the concept of “democracy” as promoted by the Allies during their occupation of Japan came into question around the time of the Korean War in 1950. Nonetheless, the prisoners’ sense of responsibility in World War II was not impartial. By examining the prisoners’ voices in the Sugamo Shimbun and the power dynamics inside the prison, this article focuses on where the prisoners’ sense of guilt originated—as a result of the prison’s correctional programs—and how the voices of the prisoners more or less reflected national and international politics of that time.