Topic
Prison
About: Prison is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 25120 publications have been published within this topic receiving 470474 citations. The topic is also known as: jail & gaol.
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TL;DR: The high rates of substance use disorders among state prison inmates are consistent with previous findings from other studies conducted in correctional settings and reflect the need to expand treatment capacity in prisons.
Abstract: The study examined the 30-day and lifetime prevalence of DSM-IV alcohol and drug disorders among state prison inmates. A sample of 400 inmates consecutively admitted to a state prison reception cen...
141 citations
TL;DR: Current policy trends in British forensic psychiatry are reviewed to put them in an international context and show a high prevalence of mental disorder in prisons and jails.
Abstract: Background As the availability of mental hospital beds has fallen, so the number of people in prison has risen.
Aims To review current policy trends in British forensic psychiatry and put them in an international context.
Method Literature on the prevalence rates of psychiatric disorder in prisons and jails has been examined for the USA, England & Wales and New Zealand.
Results All studies show a high prevalence of mental disorder in prisons and jails. Authors in the USA suggest that prisons are replacing mental hospitals. In England & Wales rates of psychosis are reported as 4-10% for remanded prisoners and 2-7% for sentenced prisoners. Substance misuse among prisoners is a major problem. Prison is the preferred place of disposal for large numbers of mentally disordered people. Does this matter? Why should this be the case? Is this the cheapest option? Politicians are considering new powers to direct more people into institutions (presumably prisons) on the grounds of public protection.
Conclusions We need more information about attitudes and their formation. We need more inter-professional dialogue about the best arrangements for people with mental disorders, and inter-disciplinary education.
140 citations
TL;DR: This article applied macro-micro General Strain Theory (GST) to predict prisoner misconduct in a large southern state to examine how environmental strain measured at the prison level influenced inmates' violent misconduct.
140 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors conducted a survey of sexual behavior in male inmates in a Delaware prison and found that although sexual contact is not wide-spread, it nevertheless occurs; the preponderance of the activity is consensual rather than rape; and inmates themselves perceive the myth of pervasive sex in prison.
Abstract: Prison narratives, mass media, and conclusions drawn from institutional research have fostered a perception of widespread “homosexual rape” in male penitentiaries. However, studies of sexual contact in prison have shown inmate involvement to vary greatly. To explore the nature and frequency of sexual contact between male inmates in a Delaware prison, the authors administered a survey of sexual behavior. Respondents were questioned extensively about sexual activities that they engaged in, directly observed, and heard about “through the grapevine” prior to their entry into a prison treatment program. Findings indicate that (a) although sexual contact is not wide-spread, it nevertheless occurs; (b) the preponderance of the activity is consensual rather than rape; and (c) inmates themselves perceive the myth of pervasive sex in prison, contradicting their own realities.
140 citations
TL;DR: The authors examined the extent to which offenders prefer incarceration when presented with choices between paired prison and probation sentences and found that being African-American is the strongest predictor of a preference for prison.
Abstract: Recent correctional reforms have ameliorated the deprivations of prison and indirectly have caused states to toughen probation because many offenders must be diverted from incarceration to meet court-defined limits on prison crowding. These changes raise the possibility that offenders increasingly may view prison as easier or less punitive than probation. Using interview data from newly incarcerated Texas offenders, this analysis examines the extent to which offenders prefer incarceration when presented with choices between paired prison and probation sentences. Though a number of demographic and experiential variables are examined, multivariate analysis reveals that being African-American is the strongest predictor of a preference for prison. Implications of these results are discussed.
140 citations