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Drawing upon organizational perspectives and focal concerns theory, this article tests the impacts of jail utilization (i.e. the ratio of jail population: rated capacity) on sentencing practices. Using 18 years of felony sentencing data from Florida and county characteristics, ordinary least squares regression models are estimated to determine whether jail utilization impacts sentencing trends between counties. Latent growth curves assess jail utilization effects within counties over time. Jail utilization is significantly associated with sentencing and this effect is robust across and within counties over time. Across counties the effect is largely non-linear; community-based sanctions are more common in counties that have reached a jail utilization threshold. Jail utilization effects are robust across general and discretionary cases but vary according to local crime rates. The findings suggest that extralegal considerations influence sentencing decisions; i.e. when jail utilization decreases, courts will impose more jail sentences simply because space is available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jail population sizes are determined largely by decision-making in the courtroom. The current study recognizes the police officer's influence in the courtroom and explores the impact of police officer decision-making on subsequent jail outcomes. Using administrative data on misdemeanor convictions processed in a mid-sized urban prosecutor's office in Florida, I examine the relationship between discretionary citations in lieu of arrest, pretrial detention stays, and jail sentences. Results show that citations are not used frequently, but they are associated with lower rates of both detention and jail sentences. These findings are evidence of a custodial inertia, where defendants who begin their cases in jail are progressively more likely to be there during and after case processing. This points to a potential role for citations in lieu of arrest as a tool to help reduce jail overcrowding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are few studies that focus on jail correctional officers' views. We surveyed officers in thirteen Florida county jails and examine the impact of personal characteristics and officer attitudes on rehabilitation attitudes, as well as differences in rehabilitative attitudes across jails. Results indicate female, nonwhite, more religious, less conservative officers, and those more satisfied with their job were more likely to support rehabilitation, while those who preferred more social distance were less likely to. Results also reveal significant differences in support for rehabilitation between jails. This study confirms that findings regarding prison officers are consistent with those for jail officers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a large body of research that examines the impact of visitation on the likelihood of recidivism among released state prisoners. That research reveals that receiving any visits, and a greater number of visits, reduces the likelihood of recidivism. However, whether the recidivism-reducing effect of visitation operates within the jail setting remains unclear. Using data from a Florida jail, the current investigation examines the association between visitation and recidivism among a cohort of releases (N = 6,565). Analyses also consider the extent to which the frequency of visits impacts the likelihood of recidivism. Findings from a series of logistic regression models reveal that inmates who received visits were no less likely to recidivate than their counterparts. Yet, among inmates who were visited, those receiving more frequent visits were less likely to recidivate. This departs from existing visitation research and underscores the importance of directing research attention to local jails. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the U.S. 11th Circuit Court case Swain v. Junior which deals with the Fourteenth Amendment and due process. Topics discussed include the ruling of the court that the Metro West Detention Center in Florida had taken sufficient measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 under the Fourteenth Amendment, claims of the plaintiff that it was impossible to impose social distancing in the facility, and the implications of the ruling for incarcerated individuals.

Jail staff who harbor negative attitudes toward their jobs can be detrimental for the functional operation of the organization. Presumably, personnel who are more involved with their work should have lower levels of stress and higher levels of job satisfaction and organizational commitment, compared with those who are not involved. The current study examined the effects of job involvement on job stress, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment at a large county jail system in Florida. Based on multivariate analyses of staff survey data, the results revealed that job involvement was negatively related to job stress and positively related to both job satisfaction and organizational commitment. The implications of these findings for correctional research and practice are also considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the impact of mental health services on arrests of offenders with a serious mental Illness (SMI) by assessing changes in associations between receipt of outpatient and emergency room/inpatient services and arrests one, two, and three quarters later. A variety of data sets were used for identifying 3,769 offenders who were in the Pinellas County Florida jail between 7/1/2003 and 6/30/ 2004, and 7,755 offenders who were in the Harris County Texas jail between 10/1/2005 and 9/30/2006. Arrests, out-patient and emergency room/inpatient services were assigned to one of 16 ninety-day periods between 7/1/2002 and 6/10/2006 in Pinellas County and one of 12 such periods between 10/1/2004 and 9/15/2007 in Harris County. Generalized estimating equations were used. Covariates were age, gender, race, diagnosis, and homelessness. The results were also adjusted for exposure to arrests. In Pinellas County, outpatient services significantly reduced the risks of arrests 1 quarter later by 17% (odds ratio [OR] = 0.83, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.78-0.87, p < .001), two quarters later by 11% (OR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.84-0.94, p < .001), and three quarters later by 9% (OR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.86-0.96, p = .001). In Harris County, these services reduced the risk of arrest 1 quarter later by 5% (OR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.91-0.99, p = .028), but not two and three quarters later. In Pinellas County, ER/inpatient services increased the risk of arrests by 22% (OR = 1.23,95% CI: 1.15-1.30,/> < .001), 8% (OR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.02-1.15,p = .010) and 11%(0R = 1.11,95% CI: 1.02-1.16,p = .001) one, two, and three quarters later. In Harris County, these services increased the risk of arrest only 1 quarter later (OR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.11-1.22, p < .001). Results suggest that service receipt and its timing may have had some impact on the arrests of adults with a SMI and criminal justice involvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jail staff are the heart and soul of any jail. Jails rely on staff to complete a myriad of tasks and duties in order to maintain a safe, secure, and humane jail facility. One area of importance is job involvement (i.e., the psychosocial bond between the staff member with his or her job). The current study examined the job characteristics model to explain job involvement among staff at a large county correctional system in Orlando, Florida. The job characteristic variables were formalization, instrumental communication, relations with coworkers, input into decision making, job variety, perceived dangerousness of the job, role strain, and administrative support. It was found that formalization, input into decision making, and administrative support all had positive associations with job involvement. The implications of these findings for correctional researchers and practitioners are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In 2008, the newly developed Inmate Mural Arts Program (IMAP) conceived, developed, and completed its inaugural project—a 22ft×47ft mural painted on the front of a chapel on the grounds of a prison in rural Florida. This mural, entitled “Transformation through Unity,” was completed in collaboration between faculty and students of the Florida State University Graduate Art Therapy Program and a group of prison inmates. This project, complicated in scope and execution, was a students’ masters’ art therapy graduation project. The IMAP project took approximately 8 months to develop and complete. The process required formal and informal negotiations at all levels to succeed. This project overview will present a brief background and history of the project, review the negotiations that occurred prior to, during, and after its execution, and will present the completed mural. It will conclude with a brief overview of anticipated future projects. The negotiations ultimately produced a product that demonstrated the value and benefits of art for this population. The end piece has resulted in far-reaching implications and results, and has become the first of a series of successful projects for the new Inmate Mural Arts Program. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This research is a qualitative study examining the identity work of incarcerated fathers. Organized around the concept of prisonization, the goal of this project was to examine the way that incarcerated fathers manage the disparate identities of inmate and father. Twenty-five men were interviewed at a jail in Florida, and were asked to share their life stories with the investigator. Narrative linkages between their families, their crimes, and their time in jail were utilized to develop a deeper understanding of these men's lives. Diverse identity management strategies, regulation of contact with children, and turning point narratives were the main forms of identity work these men used to mange the contrasting identities of inmate and father. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analyzes patterns of rediversion in postbooking jail diversion programs in Florida to better understand the extent to which diversion programs served repeating clients. Comparison between Hillsborough County jail diversion program and Broward County mental health court; Data showing that the diversion programs examined appear to be experiencing a level of repeating clients similar to that observed in other pathways for accessing mental health treatment.

Broward County's jail hospice program initiated service in 1995. Infirmary services for both men and women in the jail system are housed in one of Broward County's four jail sites. The County, in partnership with the local Medicare certified hospice, Hospice by the Sea, provides care to inmates both in the detention center and on release to the community. Compassionate release, "community control," and expedited case disposition are sometimes utilized. Jail stays are typically shorter than prison sentences. Consequently, expedient identification and enrollment of hospice-appropriate detainees differentiates hospice in a jail setting from prison hospice. Initial attitudinal resistance to hospice services for detainees has for the most part been overcome. Ongoing challenges largely consist of institutional impediments regarding supplies, special dietary needs of hospice patients, visitation procedures, and potential patient isolation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on a study conducted on whether there is an increase in the jail capacity in Orange County, Florida. Background information on this study; How is this study carried out; Results of the study.

Objectives. To examine rates of emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations among incarcerated people in Florida during a period when health care management in the state's prisons underwent transitions. Methods. We used Florida ED visit and hospital discharge data (2011-2018) to depict the trend in ED visit and hospital discharge rates among incarcerated people. We proxied incarcerated people using individuals admitted from and discharged or transferred to a court or law enforcement agency. We fitted a regression with year indicators to examine the significance of yearly changes. Results. Among incarcerated people in Florida, ED visit rates quadrupled, and hospitalization rates doubled, between 2015 and 2018, a period when no similar trends were evident in the nonincarcerated population. Public Health Implications. Increasing the amount and flexibility of payments to contractors overseeing prison health services may foster higher rates of hospital utilization among incarcerated people and higher costs, without addressing major quality of care problems. Hospitals and government agencies should transparently report on health care utilization and outcomes among incarcerated people to ensure better oversight of services for a highly vulnerable population.

Research about the attitudes and beliefs of correctional officers has historically been conducted in prison facilities while ignoring jail settings. This study contributes to our understanding of correctional officers by examining the perceptions of those who work in jails, specifically measuring professional orientations about counseling roles, punitiveness, corruption of authority by inmates, and social distance from inmates. The study also examines whether officers are accurate in estimating these same perceptions of their peers, a line of inquiry that has been relatively ignored. Findings indicate that the sample was concerned about various aspects of their job and the management of inmates. Specifically, officers were uncertain about adopting counseling roles, were somewhat punitive, and were concerned both with maintaining social distance from inmates and with an inmate's ability to corrupt their authority. Officers also misperceived the professional orientation of their fellow officers and assumed their peer group to be less progressive than they actually were.