Search

The goals of this cross-sectional study were to determine associations between Big Five personality traits and the fear of COVID-19 infection among male prisoners and to assess whether anxiety and depression helped explain any of these associations. The sample comprised 168 Caucasian male prisoners aged 20 to 69. We measured personality traits using the Polish version of the Ten Item Personality Inventory and fear of COVID-19 infection using an 11-point rating scale. We evaluated participants' mental health status using the General Anxiety Disorder-7 and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 scales. Fear of COVID-19 infection was negatively correlated with extraversion, openness, and agreeableness, and positively correlated with anxiety and depression. No correlations were observed between COVID-19 infection fear and emotional stability or conscientiousness. Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that only low openness to experience significantly predicted COVID-19 infection fear. Anxiety and depression mediated the association between openness and COVID-19 infection fear. The importance of openness, anxiety, and depression may be considered in psychotherapy focused on reducing fear of COVID-19 infection among prisoners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why does interpersonal violence erupt? A key source is conflict over resources and a little-studied mechanism for solving such cases concerns the availability of credible information about individuals' abilities and willingness to use force. Its core prediction is that when such credible information abounds, the outcome of a potential struggle can be anticipated and thus there is no need to fight. I test this prediction using a nationally representative survey of male prisoners (N inmates = 10,768, N facilities = 207) incarcerated in US state correctional facilities. I also make two methodologically orientated contributions. First, recent research highlights the important consequences that data analysis choices can have in determining quantitative findings. To overcome this, I draw on multiverse analysis and specification curve analysis to map out the key analytical decisions I make and run 262,144 plausible regression models. By doing so, I classify associations that are robust, mixed, or entirely frail according to analytic decisions and find partial support for the informational mechanism of interpersonal violence. Second, in contrast to much quantitative prison research, which uses only official or institutionally punished assaults data, I compare self-recognized fights to self-reported institutionally punished fights and highlight key differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A systematic review examined the effectiveness of violence reduction therapy in detained forensic populations, capturing 23 papers. This demonstrated several themes and a failure to consider individual change alongside group effects. Consequently, the review was followed by evaluation of an aggression therapy program (Life Minus Violence-Enhanced: LMV-E) among adult male forensic patients (n = 26), which considered group and individual treatment change. Collectively, the research demonstrated a positive effect on emotional regulation (anger), with the ability to control and experience this particularly evidenced following therapy. The paper highlights the importance of accounting for individual change and developing theory informed evaluations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current article is part of a unique comparative study of the experiences and adjustment of 190 incarcerated young men in both Scotland and Canada. In collecting data on the participants' lives, the authors learned of the multiple traumas and losses many of them had suffered. Many participants however seemed to adhere to a prison masculinity that may constrain help-seeking behavior. Ultimately, this article analyses the levels of trauma that exists in a population of incarcerated young men within the context and alongside of the masculine ideals they appeared to adhere to. This article advocates for gender-responsive trauma-informed care for incarcerated young men that incorporates an exploration and understanding of masculine identity and how it interacts with help-seeking and trauma recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A literary criticism of the book "Arturo, la estrella mas brillante," by Reinaldo Arenas is presented. Topics discussed include depiction of the experiences of a gay man sent to the forced labour camps Unidad Militar de Ayuda a la Produccion (UMAP) in the book, the book's emphasis on the status of escapism, and incorporation of prison-writing studies in the work. It also focuses on the status of male prisoners in the book.

Before 1975, prisoners in France could only marry if they successfully petitioned the state for permission. This article examines how local, regional and national officials dealt with marriage requests submitted by male inmates of the Camps de Mauzac in the Dordogne between 1946 and 1959. It reveals that they consistently adjudicated the petitions according to a standard of sexual morality focused on female behaviour: prisoners were permitted to wed only if police investigations could confirm the virtuous private lives of their un‐incarcerated fiancées. State actors justified this mode of judgment by invoking the rehabilitative power of good wives to heal male degeneracy. Through the Mauzac cases, this article illustrates that traditionalist ideals of heterosexual matrimony and anxieties over female promiscuity remained central to negotiations of state power over the lives of marginalised people in post‐1945 France. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social Support has multiple benefits for health and mental wellbeing. Its existence, and the extent to which it can be beneficial, is dependent upon the context in which it is provided, and the recipients' view of it. Social support has long been established as a 'buffer' to the negative impact of stressful life experiences. Trauma can negatively impact upon social support, reducing the extent of social networks and ability of some trauma experienced individuals to sustain extensive social support networks. However, some trauma experiences can also strengthen social relationships. Imprisoned men are disproportionately likely to have experienced a traumatic event when compared with the general population. Past research has found that traumatic events can lead to a decrease in social support among imprisoned men but more research is needed to understand the variations in perceived social support experienced by imprisoned men and to determine how different types of trauma may be related to perceived social support. A cross-sectional survey of 384 adult men detained in the Northern Ireland Prison Service was conducted between November 2022 and January 2023. The survey collected data on the men's demographics, mental health, substance use, and criminal history. Respondents were also asked to complete a Trauma History Questionnaire (THQ) and the Multi-dimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Regression analysis was then used to investigate the possible associations between individual characteristics, different types of trauma experiences and perceived social support. Most types of trauma experiences were not associated with lower levels of perceived social support. Only those who had experienced crime related trauma were more likely to report lower levels of social support. Older imprisoned men and those using substances were more likely to report lower levels of perceived social support, while those who had served a sentence of less than one year reported higher levels of perceived social support. Crime related trauma experiences were found to be associated with lower levels of perceived social support. There were no significant findings around perceived social support and any of the other trauma types i.e. physical, sexual and general disaster experiences. Trauma informed policy responses should be cognisant of this, as those with experiences of crime related victimisation are less likely to have the social support needed to buffer against future trauma experiences. The findings demonstrate that some individuals experience lower levels of perceived social support and several factors are associated with this including age, time served and substance use history. This will potentially impact upon them during release and affect their reintegration into society. Specific policies aimed at these groups should be considered to prevent them from experiencing a lack of support and any accompanying adversity upon release. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of the prisoner subject is an element of local practices, including how health is governed. Yet, disciplinary practices have been overlooked in research on health in post-Soviet prisons. Drawing on qualitative interviews with 40 male prisoners in Kyrgyzstan, this article performs a genealogical analysis by applying models of subjectivity from Christian monasticism to understand how a healthy body emerges through the contingent governing relations of the post-Soviet prison. An apparatus of "collective self-governance" produces bodies that extend the self to the collective and blur the boundaries between physical and moral health. Here, unlike in the West, the idealization of an autonomous subject is inimical to agency and, by extension, health. Rather, a healthy body is produced through a healing process that rests on submission to the collective, with the threat of exile imminent. In such settings, health interventions aimed at the individual are unlikely to succeed without a consideration of collective healing practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This chapter explores the role of cultural activity within prison libraries for not only the general wellbeing of prisoners, but also as a form of indirect intervention for addressing unrecognised and/or unaddressed information needs amongst prisoners; particularly important needs of a more sensitive nature often repressed (e.g. remorse, mental health, relationships). Drawing on research to date, the authors discuss the information needs of prisoners, the associated benefits of cultural activity for information need recognition and understanding, and the support role of the prison library; and in relation, identify opportunities for further development of the library as a key change agent in the progressive rehabilitation of prisoners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Snitching refers to conveying inside and potentially incriminating information about others to authorities. In contrast to prior criminological accounts of snitching, which rely on small and purposive samples, we used a probability sample of 802 male prisoners in Texas to study the status, prevalence, acceptability and correlates of snitching. We arrive at several key quantitative findings. First, snitches are positioned at the bottom of the inmate hierarchy. Second, snitching is a rare behaviour (7.6 per cent) and even rarer identity (1.8 per cent), consistent with a snitching paradox. Third, about three-fourths of respondents endorsed contingencies where snitching was permissible, primarily those involving personal ties, self-protection, or violence prevention. Finally, characteristics such as age, civic engagement, education, gang status, and arrest and imprisonment history were associated with either snitching identity, behaviour, or contingencies. Snitching is a persistent feature of social life, yet violates a sacred norm central to many criminological theories, necessitating continued inquiry into its content, enforcement and consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Victimization—physical, sexual, and emotional—is part of prison life for a sizable proportion of incarcerated people. Research has primarily focused on the prevalence and predictors of physical or sexual victimization inside prisons located in the United States. Very little prison-based victimization research has been conducted in other countries, and even less has examined the clustering patterns of victimization (referred to as polyvictimization), and whether different demographic, behavioral health, and criminal risk factors are associated with polyvictimization. This article explores variation in victimization patterns during incarceration in Spain, and whether there is variation in the demographic, behavioral, and criminal risk factors predicting one type (physical, sexual, or emotional); two types (physical and sexual, physical and emotional, or sexual and emotional); or three types (physical, sexual, and emotional), as well as the number of different types of victimization distinguished by type of perpetrator. Self-report data were collected from 2,484 male inmates housed in eight adult prisons in Spain. More than half the sample reported at least one type of victimization, and one quarter reported two or more types of victimization. Polyvictimization was found to be strongly associated with prior childhood and adulthood victimization experienced in the community. These findings have significant policy and practice implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the operation and impact of a specialist wing in a male prison, which aims to repair and enhance family relationships. It outlines the damaging effects of parental imprisonment on children and on paternal identity, and explores whether, and how, residence on the wing and prisoners' joint participation with children and families in extended visits and family‐focused activities and interventions, mitigate such damage. The findings are overwhelmingly positive, demonstrating improvements in well‐being among children and family members, enhanced family relationships, and a stronger sense of paternal identity among prisoners. It is argued that these activities set in motion processes akin to those postulated by Burke (1991) as necessary for maintenance and renewal of identity: namely, the 'verification' of 'identity standards' through 'reflective appraisal' by key referent groups (here, families and children). There is also evidence that positive changes in prisoners quite frequently persist after release. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The relation between psychopathic traits and suicide ideation (SI) is frequently discussed but little research has examined potential mechanisms underlying this association. The interpersonal theory of suicide (ITS) proposes two mechanisms in the pathogenesis of suicidal desire: thwarted belongingness (TB) and perceived burdensomeness (PB). This study cross-sectionally tested TB and PB as possible explanatory links in the relation between psychopathic traits and SI.Method: Archival data from 784 male U.K. prisoners (Mage  = 37.21, SD = 9.97) were analyzed using structural equation modeling.Results: Psychopathic traits were indirectly associated with SI through more specific suicide-promoting processes - namely TB and PB. More specifically, results indicated that Egocentricity and Stimulus Seeking were indirectly associated with SI through PB and TB in combination. However, results indicated specific indirect effects of TB in the relations between the Antisocial Behavior, Egocentricity, and Stimulus Seeking facets, and SI, whereas specific indirect effects for PB were only significant in the relations between Egocentricity and Stimulus Seeking facets and SI.Conclusion: Preliminary results are consistent with the ITS and suggest that psychopathic traits may be distal risk markers for SI and provide direction for future research that could inform suicide prevention efforts among male prisoners high in such traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What do race relations among Canadian prisoners tell us about national mythology, liberal multiculturalism, and racial colour-blindness? Drawing from almost 500 semi-structured interviews conducted with male prisoners inside four provincial institutions in Western Canada as part of the University of Alberta Prison Project, we analyse prisoners' perceptions of race and detail how their beliefs in Canada's national mythology – particularly multiculturalism – foster racial colour-blindness in daily prison life. Our data speak to both support for, and critiques of, liberal multiculturalism as a lived political philosophy. For instance, racial colour-blindness helps reduce ethnic conflict and encourages inter-group relations among racially diverse prisoners. As critics of liberal multiculturalism suggest, however, our participants individualized racism, focusing on what is often called 'overt racism' (such as white supremacy). Few participants acknowledged 'structural racism' or dwelled on the overrepresentation of people of colour in the prison system (even when housed on a unit that could contain over 60 per cent Indigenous prisoners). Some prisoners expressed a belief that Canada had overcome racism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Social health, as one of the key components of health, plays an important role in ensuring the dynamism and efficacy of each society. It is considered as one of the health assessment criteria of various communities and prisoners have many health needs. The aim of this study was to assess social health and its related factors among male prisoners. Methods: This descriptive-analytic study was conducted on 200 male prisoners in the central prison of Urmia using simple random sampling method in 2016. The instruments included Keyes Social Health Questionnaire to measure social health and a demographic questionnaire containing demographic information on type of crime. The data analysis was performed using chi-square, one-way ANOVA and Scheffe tests in SPSS16. Results: Mean score of social health of male prisoners was 65.01 (10.11) from the total score of 100. Social health was associated with variables like education, marital status, occupation and economic status. The results also showed that assault offenders had the lowest level of social health and there was a significant relationship between social health and crime type (P-value < 0.05). Conclusion: Considering the significant relationship between the crime type and the social health of male prisoners, it is necessary to adopt policies for the promotion of prisoners’ level of social health in order to improve their other health dimensions and to prevent the recurrence of crime.

As in many countries, the numbers of older prisoners are rising in Germany, but scientific information on this group is scarce. For the current study, a survey was used that included all prison suicides in Germany between the years of 2000 and 2013. Suicide rates of the elderly prisoners exceeded the suicide rates of the general population and the same age group. We observed a continuous decrease in the suicide rate of elderly prisoners. When compared to the younger suicide victims in prison, significantly more elderly suicide victims were: female, of German nationality, remand prisoners, or serving a life sentence. In Germany, elderly prisoners are a vulnerable subpopulation of the prison population. Higher suicide rates than in the same age group in the general population indicate unmet needs regarding mental disorders and their specific treatment.

Introduction. The prevalence of Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) is much higher in the prison population than in the general population. This study aims to find out the prevalence of PTB and its associated factors among inmates in eastern Nepal. Methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Jhumka Regional Prison, the largest male prison of Eastern Nepal from September 2014 to August 2015. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to identify individuals with a cough more than one-week duration among 434 randomly selected inmates. Screening of PTB was done by sputum smear test and/or GeneXpert test. Prevalence of TB was defined as the number of cases detected during the study period divided by the total number of inmates screened during that period. Fisher's exact test was used to find out the association of PTB with related variables. Results. A total of 434 inmates were screened for PTB with mean age 35.7 years and body mass index 22.7 kg/m2. A total of 68 inmates had a productive cough of more than a week and two patients were already on anti-tuberculosis therapy at the time of screening. Sixty sputum samples were considered for sputum smear/GeneXpert test and 6 of them (10%) had positive results. The prevalence of TB in the Prison was 1843/100,000 population. Chest pain and abnormal chest auscultation findings were found to be significantly associated with PTB. Conclusions. This study showed that there was a high rate of PTB among inmates in Nepal. The results suggest a need for effective screening of PTB and strategies to improve management including reduction of PTB transmission in the prison. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzes several measures of aggression and psychopathy as possible factors involved in criminal recidivism. Sociodemographic data as well as aggression and psychopathy trail measures (CA, IPAS and TRIp) were obtained in a sample of 110 male inmates of a prison in Castilla-La Mancha (Spain). The sample consisted of two groups of 55 subjects, characterized by the presence or absence of mental disorder. A total of 55.8% of the participants were persistent offenders. Recidivism showed a statistically significant association (p <0.05) with most of the dimensions studied for aggression, with higher scores on this variable in the group of reoffenders and in the group ot inmates diagnosed with mental disorder. The variable that best predicted the likelihood of re-offending was psychopathic meanness. No statistically significant differences were found between the presence of a mental disorder and recidivism, although a greater percentage of recidivists presented a mental disorder (63.6%). Inmates with mental illness have a higher risk of criminal recidivism and this risk is associated with higher scores in trail aggression as well as higher scores in dismhibition and psychopathic meanness [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychological intimate partner violence (IPV) is the most prevalent form of IPV and is often thought to precede physical IPV. However, psychological IPV often occurs independently of other forms of IPV, and it can often emerge during routine relationship interactions. Using data from imprisoned male offenders we investigate the effect of hostile and benevolent sexist attitudes on psychological IPV and the hypothesized mediating role of positive attitudes toward IPV and this effect when accounting for broader risk factors at the levels of community (social disorder), family-of-origin (conflictive climate in family of origin), and personality (antisocial personality traits) variables. The sample involved 196 male inmates of the Penitentiary Center of Villabona (Asturias, Spain). Structural equation models result showed significant total, direct and indirect effect of hostile sexism on psychological IPV, but not of benevolent sexism. When individual, family-of-origin, and community variables were considered, however, hostile sexism showed only an indirect effect on psychological IPV via positive attitudes toward abuse. These results are discussed in light of the debate of the role of sexist attitudes in the psychological IPV explanation when broader models are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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 has on subsequent inmate misconduct in state prisons. Institutional violation rates for a cohort of male inmates incarcerated by the Oregon Department of Corrections were analyzed. Controlling for other factors, the results of this study indicate that disciplinary segregation was not a significant predictor of subsequent institutional misconduct. The findings also indicate that the experience of disciplinary segregation does not reduce subsequent prison inmate misconduct and therefore suggest that it may not be an effective institutional practice. These results signal that disciplinary segregation should be used in a more judicious and informed manner and that further research should be performed to determine whether disciplinary segregation has a general deterrent effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As in many countries, the numbers of older prisoners are rising in Germany, but scientific information on this group is scarce. For the current study, a survey was used that included all prison suicides in Germany between the years of 2000 and 2013. Suicide rates of the elderly prisoners exceeded the suicide rates of the general population and the same age group. We observed a continuous decrease in the suicide rate of elderly prisoners. When compared to the younger suicide victims in prison, significantly more elderly suicide victims were: female, of German nationality, remand prisoners, or serving a life sentence. In Germany, elderly prisoners are a vulnerable subpopulation of the prison population. Higher suicide rates than in the same age group in the general population indicate unmet needs regarding mental disorders and their specific treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper draws upon research documenting the implementation, management and delivery of Through the Gate service provision in one case study area across an 18-month period. In referring to interviews and focus groups with professionals, male prisoners, and the families of these men, the paper provides a critical examination of the practice implications of administering Through the Gate provision in a resettlement prison. In doing so we reflect upon the changes in organisational structures, the evolution of occupational culture(s), and on the impact on multi-agency partnership working practice evident within this Transforming Rehabilitation led period of transitional change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article sets out to show how power and identity intertwine. Its close look at Ukrainian prison culture complements a recent string of studies in the “West” by demonstrating the nuanced role of violence and masculinity in men’s prisons. Whereas much of the extant literature links prison violence to a hypermasculine culture, this article, based on a semiethnographic study in Ukraine, details how a masculine-centered, hierarchical prisoner structure curtails violence. Even so, prisoners are forced to exercise masculine agility, as their provisional manliness determines their place in the hierarchy and thus, by extension, their quality of life. I explore how prisoners and officers construct, prove, and maintain their masculine identities in a milieu of rigid structures and limited resources. I demonstrate how masculine models and discourses are diverse, dynamic, and contested and argue that men as agents tap into them to frame flexible identities to suit their needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we use interview data (n = 383) to evaluate how male and female inmates perceive the help they receive from prison staff members. Men were more likely to claim that staff members help them gain real-world job and educational skills while women claim that staff members made them see the error of their ways and push them to self-improve while in prison. We find that inmates are aligning their personal transformations in prison along gender lines and this may fail to help these incarcerated women prepare for the economic realities of the reentry process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research has shown the importance of prospective thinking in the understanding of individual behaviour across different contexts. However, there has not been extensive attention paid to individuals’ future time perspective (FTP) in non-normative contexts, such as prison, especially using qualitative research methods. In this study, we qualitatively analyse the FTP of 16 Portuguese male prisoners, ranging in age from 24 to 51 years (M = 35, SD = 8 (idem)) and serving sentences from one to 25 years (M = 8.6, SD = 7.3). Through content analysis of data obtained in semi-structured interviews, four main categories emerged: life prior to prison, adaptation to prison, activities in prison, and perspectives concerning the future. Considering the primary features of FTP (content, extension, valence), we determined that prisoners develop FTP in different life domains. However, the extension and emotional valence of their FTP were influenced by the sentence time and perceived social support. The results are discussed regarding the importance of counselling and of the construction of future plans in the context of prison as relevant factors for individual adaptability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Mental health problems are common in prison populations. Less is known about how mental health problems develop during imprisonment. The objective was to examine the longitudinal course of mental health symptoms during imprisonment and individual factors associated with the development of these symptoms. Method: In a prospective cohort study, 1.664 Dutch male prisoners were questioned 3 weeks after their arrival in detention. Those still in custody were questioned again after 3, 9, and 18 months. Multilevel analyses were conducted to identify predictors of the course of mental health symptoms. Results: Prisoners reported continued elevated symptom levels compared to the general population. Inmates who entered detention with pre‐existing mental health problems and problematic alcohol/drugs use showed mental health improvements during detention. Conclusion: The high levels of prisoners’ mental health problems highlight the importance of addressing mental health issues in prison. Imprisonment does not have an overall negative effect on mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aggression can be considered a multidimensional construct that influences various forms of antisocial behavior, including juvenile delinquency and conduct problems. The aim of the present study was to assess the psychometric properties of the Brief Peer Conflict Scale-20 item version (PCS-20) among a Portuguese forensic sample (N = 192) of incarcerated male juvenile offenders ( M = 16.62 years; SD = 1.52 years; age range = 13-18 years). The PCS-20 demonstrated good psychometric properties in terms of its four-factor structure, internal consistency, convergent validity, and discriminant validity that generally justify its use among incarcerated male youth. The findings provide additional support for the extension of the PCS-20 across different cultures, ethnic groups, and samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many prisoners rationalise criminal behaviour, and this type of thinking has been linked to recidivism. Correctional programmes for modifying criminal thinking can reshape how offenders view themselves and their circumstances.Aim: Our aim was to test whether participation in a cognitive-based curriculum called Steps to Economic and Personal Success (STEPS) was associated with changes in criminal thinking.Methods: The STEPS curriculum is delivered in 15 video-based facilitated classes. A pre-intervention/post-intervention survey design was applied to 128 adult male prisoners who completed the programme. Criminal thinking was measured by the Texas Christian University Criminal Thinking Scale, a self-report instrument with the six domains: entitlement, justification, power orientation, cold heartedness, criminal rationalisation and personal irresponsibility.Results: Participants had lower scores in most of the criminal thinking domains after the intervention than before, with largest reductions in justification and power orientation.Conclusion: Findings provide evidence that attitudes to crime can be changed in a correctional setting, and the programme under study shows promise as an effective intervention for changing these attitudes among prisoners. Future research should build on these findings to examine whether and how such changes are related to desistance from offending behaviours. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This chapter is based on a study conducted in two provinces of Gauteng and KwaZulu Natal in South Africa in two male correctional centres. The chapter reports on some of the strategies that were being used at the two facilities to overcome educational challenges regarding teaching and learning of offenders. The study as narrated in this chapter was designed as a case study and used qualitative data collection methods, which included interviews and observations, from various sources. A purposeful sample selection method was used, and offenders, educators and centre managers participated in data collection. The study was based on Ubuntu and African humanism together with transformative theory as espoused by Paulo Freire's (1974) theoretical framework, which underpinned the practices discussed in the study. The chapter found six distinct strategies for learner-offenders' educational success. They are, i) learning communities; ii) motivated learners; iii) quality educator; iv) infrastructural challenges; v) stakeholder participation; vi) teaching and learning strategies. Within the context of distance education and the digital era, the chapter recommends that the centres should address their infrastructural challenges while incorporating computer-based learning as part of their curriculum practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose This study examined the relationship between resting heart rate (RHR), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and antisocial behavior in a sample of incarcerated, adult male offenders. Methods Data from 333 health, psychology and institutional files were analyzed to assess the relationship between RHR, SBP and a range of antisocial outcomes, including criminal convictions. Results Consistent with prior research, results revealed a significant negative relationship between RHR and total prior offending and age of onset of antisocial behavior. RHR was positively associated with sexual offending. Slightly larger effect sizes were found with respect to SBP, and the pattern of results mirrored those for RHR. For RHR and SBP, many of the bivariate associations were still significant when control variables were included in multivariate analyses. Conclusion To our knowledge, this is the first study of RHR/SBP and offending within an institutionalized adult population that raises questions about the generalizability of this relationship to sexual offending. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reformulated learned helplessness model proposes that people who tend to make internal, stable, and global attributions in response to uncontrollable aversive events are more likely to develop depression. The present study sought to investigate the nature of the relationship between attributional style and depression in a male prison sample. One hundred and one adult male prisoners from four medium security prisons in Ireland completed the Attributional Style Questionnaire and measures of depression (BDI-II) and anxiety (BAI). Severity of self-reported depressive symptoms in the present sample was comparable to other prison and clinical samples, but higher than community samples. Participants were more severely affected by depressive symptoms than anxiety. The original attributional dimensions (i.e. internal, stable, and global) predicted a significant amount of variance in depression, but the model was not significant after controlling for anxiety. A subsequent regression model, comprising attributional dimensions for both negative events and positive events including a measure of ‘uncontrollability’, accounted for 35% of the variance in depression and the model retained significance while controlling for anxiety. An attributional model of depression may be relevant to the prison population and could provide a valid insight into the development and treatment of depressive symptoms in prisoners. The findings are interpreted in relation to previous research and implications for theory, clinical practice, and rehabilitation are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High rates of violence are found amid offenders with severe mental illnesses (SMI), substance use disorders (SUDs) and Cluster B personality disorders. Elevated rates of comorbidity lead to inconsistencies when it comes to this relationship. Furthermore, overlapping Cluster B personality traits have been associated with violence. Using multiple correspondence analysis and cluster analysis, this study was designed to differentiate profiles of 728 male inmates from penitentiary and psychiatric settings marked by personality traits, SMI and SUDs following different violent patterns. Six significantly differing clusters emerged. Cluster 1, “ Sensation seekers ”, presented recklessness with SUDs and low prevalence's of SMI and auto-aggression. Two clusters committed more sexual offenses. While Cluster 2, “ Opportunistic-sexual offenders ”, had more antisocial lifestyles and SUDs, Cluster 6, “Emotional-sexual offenders”, displayed more emotional disturbances with SMI and violence. Clusters 3 and 4, representing “ Life-course-persistent offenders ”, shared early signs of persistent antisocial conduct and severe violence. Cluster 3, “ Early-onset violent delinquents ” , emerged as more severely antisocial with SUDs. Cluster 4, “ Early-onset unstable-mentally ill delinquents”, were more emotionally driven, with SMI and auto-aggression. Cluster 5, “ Late-start offenders”, was less severely violent, and emotionally driven with antisocial behavior beginning later. This study suggests the presence of specific psychopathological organizations in violent inmates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate if any exposure to segregation minimal association in a single male prison population had any association with an increased risk of vitamin D deficiency. Design/methodology/approach A retrospective case study was undertaken with all inmates who had a 25-hyrdoxy-vitamin D test taken during the study period deemed eligible. Hand searching of the medical records by an independent party identified eligible participants whose data were recorded for analysis. Findings In total, 124 prisoners were deemed eligible for inclusion; 67 were vitamin D sufficient and 57 were vitamin D deficient by Australian standards. Time in segregation minimal association was shown not to be significant, however, smoking (OR 2.93, 95% CI 1.27-6.81, p=0.012) and having Asian ethnicity (OR 4.16, 95% CI 1.56-11.10, p=0.004) independently significantly increased the risk of vitamin D deficiency. Research limitations/implications This research is limited by its study design, small sample size and single location. Originality/value This paper presents the first published research into vitamin D levels in a prison population in Australia, and provides a basis for a larger prospective cohort study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to use secondary data from qualitative interviews that examined the sexual behaviors, HIV attitudes, and condom use of 17 gay, bisexual, and transgender women housed in a protective custody unit in the Los Angeles County Jail (Harawa et al., 2010), to develop a better understanding of the consensual sexual behaviors of male prisoners. Design/methodology/approach Study eligibility included: report anal or oral sex with another male in the prior six months; speak and understand English; and incarcerated in the unit for at least two weeks. Data analysis consisted of an inductive, qualitative approach. Findings Findings illuminate participants' experiences concerning how the correctional facility shaped their sexual choices and behaviors, and the HIV-risk reduction strategies they employed. Originality/value This study contributes to the prison-sex literature, and is timely, given current federal and local HIV/AIDS priorities. Recommendations that address male prisoners' sexual and health needs and risks are posed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prisoners constitute a high-risk group for suicide. As an early stage in the pathway leading to suicide, suicidal ideation represents an important target for prevention, yet research on this topic is scarce in general prison populations. Using a cross-sectional survey design, correlates of suicidal ideation while incarcerated were examined in a sample of 1203 male prisoners, randomly selected from 15 Flemish prisons. Overall, a lifetime history of suicidal ideation and attempts was endorsed by 43.1% and 20.3% of respondents, respectively. Approximately a quarter of all prisoners (23.7%) reported past-year suicidal ideation during their current incarceration, which was significantly associated with both imported vulnerabilities (psychiatric diagnoses and a history of attempted suicide) and variables unique to the prison experience (lack of working activity, exposure to suicidal behaviour by peers, and low levels of perceived autonomy, safety and social support) in the multivariate regression analysis. A first-ever period of imprisonment and a shorter length of incarceration (≤12months) were also associated with increased odds of recent suicidal ideation. Collectively, the current findings underscore the importance of both vulnerability factors and prison-specific stressors for suicidal ideation in prisoners, and hence the need for a multi-faceted approach to suicide prevention in custodial settings. In addition to the provision of appropriate mental health care, environmental interventions that target modifiable aspects of the prison regime could provide a substantial buffer for the onset and persistence of suicidal ideation in this at-risk population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Theorized through Stanley Cohen's sociology of denial and informed by testimonies from formerly imprisoned men, this article argues that a culture of denial limits the ability and willingness of prison authorities and prison staff to recognize, acknowledge and respond appropriately to the realities of sexual activity in British prisons. It has three objectives: to detail experiences of consensual and coercive sex; to elucidate the collective and collaborative cultural habit of 'don't ask, don't tell' by which what is known becomes not known and what is concealed remains hidden; and to show how this strategy leaves unprotected those who choose to engage in, or are coerced into, sexual activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rates of reoffending and recall are high among released male prisoners with personality disorder. There is a need for innovative intervention to reduce offending and increase staff confidence in working with such men.Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a novel intervention consisting of training and consultation termed 'psychologically informed practice', within community-based 'approved premises' for offenders.Method: A pragmatic exploratory trial was used to compare two premises in a South London borough licenced under criminal justice legislation to provide supervised accommodation for selected released prisoners. One used the PIP intervention for 12 months while the other (comparison group) functioned in a similar way but without this intervention. Outcome measures included staff attitudes and offender behaviours.Results: Significant improvements were observed only for the intervention group. Compared with baseline measures, significantly higher levels of knowledge and understanding of personality disorder as well as a greater sense of personal accomplishment were observed in staff who have been trained and supported in psychologically informed practice. Significantly lower rates of warnings and recalls to prison were observed only for the intervention group at 6 months following initial staff training.Conclusion: Psychologically informed practice appears to be sufficiently advantageous for staff and offenders, and the trial feasible, which is a full-scale multi-centre trial, seems warranted. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is the first to investigate the progression of serious disciplinary infractions among an imprisoned female sample. Findings from a trajectory analysis over a three-year time span revealed a three-class model with stable-limited, early-onset, and delayed-onset groups, clearly highlighting the heterogeneous nature of the female inmate population. After the classification of groups, a multinomial logistic regression was relied on to identify predictors of group membership relative to a group of “innocents” who had not committed any serious disciplinary infraction during the study period. Results from a multivariate analysis indicate that expected associations among predictors, such as age and mental health need, and disciplinary violations generally held for the rule-violating classes, especially the stable-limited group, which makes up the bulk of rule violators. These patterns and correlates are consistent with those identified in previous studies examining male inmates and pooled samples of male and female inmates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on inmate social order, a once-vibrant area, receded just as U.S. incarceration rates climbed and the country's carceral contexts dramatically changed. This study returns to inmate society with an abductive mixed-methods investigation of informal status within a contemporary men's prison unit. We collected narrative and social network data from 133 male inmates housed in a unit of a Pennsylvania medium-security prison. Analyses of inmate narratives suggest that unit "old heads" provide collective goods in the form of mentoring and role modeling that foster a positive and stable peer environment. We test this hypothesis with Exponential Random Graph Models (ERGMs) of peer nomination data. The ERGM results complement the qualitative analysis and suggest that older inmates and inmates who have been on the unit longer are perceived by their peers as powerful and influential. Both analytic strategies point to the maturity of aging and the acquisition of local knowledge as important for attaining informal status in the unit. In summary, this mixed-methods case study extends theoretical insights of classic prison ethnographies, adds quantifiable results capable of future replication, and points to a growing population of older inmates as important for contemporary prison social organization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impulsivity is an important factor in adverse outcomes such as substance use, problem gambling and psychopathology. Extensive research has shown these negative outcomes are associated with both self-report and behavioural measures of impulsivity but these two measurement domains are not themselves associated. There has been limited research in prison samples. This is surprising given the high variability in impulsive behaviours that should make them ideal for investigating the convergence of impulsivity measures. Using a cross sectional design we investigated the associations of impulsivity – measured by self-report and two behavioural indices - with substance misuse and psychopathology in a sample of 72 male prisoners. We found higher self-reported impulsivity was associated with crack/cocaine use, problem gambling and a positive screen for personality disorder. Behavioural measures of impulsivity showed fewer associations with problematic behaviours; they were also not independent predictors of impulsive behaviour in multivariate analyses. These data suggest that self-reported impulsivity is a more consistent predictor of problematic behaviours than behavioural measures in a sample of people with significant levels of substance use and psychopathology. This difference could reflect relevance of self-reported measures to emotionally charged decision-making in daily life compared to more neutral behavioural measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using detailed administrative records, we find that, on average, women receive lighter sentences in comparison with men along both extensive and intensive margins. Using parametric and semiparametric decompositionmethods, roughly 30%of the gender differences in incarceration cannot be explained by the observed criminal characteristics of offense and offender. We also find evidence of considerable heterogeneity across judges in their treatment of female and male offenders. There is little evidence, however, that tastes for gender discrimination are driving the mean gender disparity or the variance in treatment between judges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]