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Professionals are encouraged to include multiple symptom validity tests (SVTs) and multiple performance validity tests (PVTs) to assess the credibility of clinical and forensic presentations. Combining the Inventory of Problems–29 (IOP-29, an SVT) with its Memory module (IOP-M, a PVT), referred to here as ‘IOP-29-M’, may be especially beneficial, as it allows for rapid assessment of both symptom and performance validity. Accordingly, the present study aimed at ‘stress testing’ the IOP-29-M by examining base rates of failure (BRFail) in 109 patients with schizophrenia spectrum psychopathology, both with and without criminal convictions. In the overall sample, BRFail were low: 13.8% and 8.3%, respectively, for the standard (≥ .50) and conservative (≥ .65) cutoffs of the IOP-29, and 12.8% and 9.2%, respectively, for the standard (≤ 29) and conservative (≤ 28) cutoffs of the IOP-M. Importantly, very few individuals, less than 5%, failed both components of the IOP-29-M. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The United States regularly deports individuals to Tonga due to criminal convictions, and these deportees often struggle to reintegrate into Tongan society. This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of 12 such criminal deportees through semi-structured interviews to elicit participants' personal stories of deportation and transition. Common themes of family, religion, and Tongan culture emerged in their responses. These results are discussed, as well as recommendations to aid deportees. The study emphasizes that successful deportee reintegration can be facilitated with the collaboration of government, religious groups, and families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This contemporary comment considers the consequences of the 2014 amendments to Section 501—the character test—of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) and considerations of greater fairness, responsibility and social cohesion for long-term residents who experience character-based visa cancellation. New Zealanders have become the largest nationality group of people deported from Australia, a relatively new phenomenon in Australia's deportation history. Many are long-term residents. The increasing numbers of deportations across the Tasman caused diplomatic rifts to emerge, testing the traditionally close relationship between Australia and Aotearoa, New Zealand. It raised the issues of fairness and where responsibility lies for the conduct of non-citizen long-term residents who call Australia home. Recognising the value of long-term non-citizen residents to the Australian community, those resident for a period of 10 years or more were once protected from criminal deportation under the Hawke-Keating Labor Governments. With a focus on New Zealanders and a commitment to reset diplomatic relations, the Albanese Government has returned to this 'common sense' approach. This contemporary comment draws on a systematic policy review to provide policy insights from the past and present to consider future directions for New Zealander and other long-term non-citizen Australian residents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community Protection Notices (CPNs) were created and introduced in England and Wales through the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act (2014). They are used to prevent and/or require specific actions by an individual or organisation, where existing behaviour has 'a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality'. A wide range of criminal justice actors can issue Community Protection Notices, and they require a low/no standard of evidence to do so. Breach of a Community Protection Notice results in a Fixed Penalty Notice of £100 or a possible criminal conviction. Using procedural justice theory as an analytical framework, our research is the first to investigate how Community Protection Notices are constructed, evidenced and monitored by the authorising bodies. The findings highlight divergent local practices, which sometimes lack procedural safeguards and adherence to Home Office statutory guidance. We propose 10 empirically based recommendations for policy and legislative changes to Community Protection Notice issuing practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intellectual disability (ID), schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD), bipolar disorder (BD), substance use disorder (SUD), and other mental disorders (OMDs) are associated with increased risks of criminality relative to sex-matched individuals without these conditions (NOIDMD). To resource psychiatric, addiction, and social services so as to provide effective treatments, further information is needed about the size of sub-groups convicted of crimes, recidivism, timing of offending, antecedents, and correlates. Stigma of persons with mental disorders could potentially be dramatically reduced if violence was prevented. A birth cohort of 14,605 persons was followed to age 64 using data from Swedish national health, criminal, and social registers. Percentages of group members convicted of violence differed significantly: males NOIDMD, 7.3%, ID 29.2%, SSD 38.6%, BD 30.7%; SUD 44.0%, and OMD 19.3%; females NOIDMD 0.8%, ID 7.7%, SSD 11.2%, BD 2.4%, SD 17.0%, and OMD 2.1%. Violent recidivism was high. Most violent offenders in the diagnostic groups were also convicted of non-violent crimes. Prior to first diagnosis, convictions (violent or non-violent) had been acquired by over 90% of the male offenders and two-thirds of the female offenders. Physical victimization, adult comorbid SUD, childhood conduct problems, and adolescent substance misuse were each associated with increased risks of offending. Sub-groups of cohort members with ID or mental disorders were convicted of violent and non-violent crimes to age 64 suggesting the need for treatment of primary disorders and for antisocial/aggressive behavior. Many patients engaging in violence could be identified at first contact with clinical services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Most mental disorders, when examined individually, are associated with an increased risk of cardiometabolic complications. However, these associations might be attributed to a general liability to psychopathology or confounded by unmeasured familial factors. The authors investigated the association between psychiatric conditions in young adulthood and the risk of cardiometabolic complications in middle adulthood, up to 40 years later. Methods: This cohort study (N=672,823) identified all individuals and their siblings born in Sweden between 1955 and 1962 and followed the cohort through 2013. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the bivariate associations between 10 psychiatric conditions or criminal convictions and five cardiometabolic complications in individuals. A general factor model was used to identify general, internalizing, externalizing, and psychotic factors based on the comorbidity among psychiatric conditions and criminal convictions. The cardiometabolic complications were then regressed on the latent general factor and three uncorrelated specific factors within a structural equation modeling framework in individuals and across sibling pairs. Results: Each psychiatric condition significantly increased the risk of cardiometabolic complications. These associations appeared nonspecific, as multivariate models indicated that most were attributable to the general factor of psychopathology, rather than to specific psychiatric conditions. There were no or only small associations between individuals' general psychopathology and their siblings' cardiometabolic complications. The same pattern was evident for the specific internalizing and psychotic factors. Conclusions: Associations between mental disorders in early life and later long-term risk of cardiometabolic complications appeared to be attributable to a general liability to psychopathology. Familial coaggregation analyses suggested that the elevated risk could not be attributed to confounders shared within families. One possibility is that lifestyle-based interventions may reduce the risk of later cardiometabolic complications for patients with several mental disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to comprehensively investigate and analyse the features of steganographic technology, which is used in Kazakhstan in the context of identification of convicted persons to protect information and minimise the violation of its integrity. The following methods were used during the study: analysis, comparison, structural-functional method, and formal-legal method. The study examined the legislation of Kazakhstan and assessed the ethical and legal issues associated with the use of steganography in the identification of convicts, which includes discussion of privacy, data security, and compliance with human rights laws. This study identified problematic aspects and potential areas for improvement of the public administration system of steganographic technologies in Kazakhstan. Furthermore, such a tool as steganography and its potential use for data exchange by criminals, as well as the prospects of countering this exchange by information security specialists were considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A stronger preference for immediate rewards has been reported in individuals with ADHD and other disorders. However, the consistency of the associations between this preference and psychiatric conditions as well as functional outcomes have been questioned. Research on its association with longitudinal outcomes is scarce. Methods: The current study used data on a choice delay task (CDT) from a school‐based cohort of Brazilian children with those at higher risk for psychiatric disorders over‐sampled (n = 1917). The sample included typically developing children (n = 1379), those with ADHD (n = 213), and other disorders. The frequency of the trials where children chose a larger later reward versus a smaller sooner reward was compared for those with ADHD and typically developing children. Cross‐sectionally and longitudinally, the study also evaluated whether children's preference for larger delayed rewards at baseline predicted the presence of psychiatric disorders and functional life outcomes (academic performance, alcohol use, early pregnancy, criminal conviction, BMI). Results: Children with ADHD and their typically developing peers performed similarly on the CDT. Their baseline task performance was not related to psychiatric conditions or life outcomes. Conclusions: The current results raise questions regarding the use of the CDT with diverse populations and whether a preference for larger delayed rewards is predictive of positive long‐term outcomes as widely assumed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Individuals experiencing early phase psychosis (EPP) are at increased risk for legal involvement. In prior studies, between 14% and 75% of individuals with EPP reported a history of criminal offending behaviour, criminal charges, or criminal convictions. To better understand the frequency of criminal conviction in a specialty treatment clinic serving EPP clients, the research team supplemented self‐reported data from the clinic intake with information from publicly available databases. Methods: In this sample of 309 adults, approximately one quarter of patients (n = 76) self‐reported a history of arrest, incarceration, probation, or parole within 6 months of enrolment in a treatment clinic. The research team expanded upon this and collected data from a public database of court proceedings in Indiana for all clinic participants before and after enrolment. Results: Thirty‐nine percent (n = 122) had three or more traffic tickets or a conviction for an ordinance violation, misdemeanour, or felony in the state of Indiana as an adult. This is over two times the national average. Drug and alcohol related convictions were the most common single conviction type, and 29% (n = 89) of subjects experienced at least one incarceration. Conclusions: These data highlight the need for specialty clinics to partner with professionals with expertise in the prevention and management of criminal behaviour. Future studies should examine risk factors for individuals experiencing EPP and criminal conviction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a series of three studies, we investigated whether exposure to a brief video would influence attitudes toward wrongfully convicted individuals among undergraduate students (Studies 1 and 2) and community members (Study 3). In Study 1 (N = 216), we hypothesized that participants who watched a video about wrongful conviction (eyewitness misidentification vs. false confession) would have more positive attitudes toward wrongfully convicted individuals compared to those exposed to an unrelated video. In Study 2 (N = 203), we hypothesized that attitudes after, compared to before, watching the wrongful conviction video would be more positive. In Study 3 (N = 431), we explored the effect of an expert discussing wrongful conviction on attitudes. In all studies, we asked participants to watch a brief Innocence Project video of an exoneree discussing their wrongful conviction or an unrelated video and answer a series of questions assessing their attitudes toward wrongfully convicted individuals. Compared to those exposed to the control video, participants exposed to a video about wrongful conviction had more positive attitudes toward wrongfully convicted individuals. Based on these findings, we have evidence that watching these Innocence Project videos may result in more positive attitudes toward exonerees which could improve their reintegration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is a synthetic summary of the previous research on individual cases of postwar criminal conviction for activities, in the occupied Polish areas, of lawyers of the Third Reich (judges and prosecutors). The main axis of the considerations is formed by instances of prosecution before Polish courts, however, analysis is carried out against the background of three normative models specified in literature, based on: the Nuremberg judgment, West German doctrine and Radbruch formula, and East German judicial practice. In this context, the author attempts to answer the question if, on the basis of Polish legislation and Polish judicial practice, a fourth - Polish - model can be distinguished. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Apostolic Constitution Pascite Gregem Dei. A brief but necessary historical retrospective of the presumption of innocence: a key to interpreting procedural guarantees. Onus probandi incumbit eo qui dicit: the right and duty to answer well-founded and documented accusations. In dubio pro reo: If the judge cannot establish the moral certainty of guilt, an acquittal sentence must be issued. Is there a right to acquittal? The presumption of imputability and the presumption of innocence. Some procedural consequences of the principle of presumption of innocence: notitia criminis and the prior investigation; the obligation of secrecy and confidentiality; the "administrativization" of criminal proceedings; precautionary measures; informing the accused so that the right of defense with regard to the accusations made is protected; moral certainty must be achieved; criminal conviction with mitigation; and the suspensive effect of appeal and appeal. Vademecum of the DDF. Admonitions and criminal remedies. Some concluding considerations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India's National Crime Record Bureau's report, 'Crime in India', stipulates that the conviction rate of economic crimes is only 29.4% which is way lesser than that of criminal conviction rate of 57%. Punitive measures under the Competition Act, 2002 are relatively less explored in the Indian context. This article is an attempt to examine the punitive measures in the Act, the evidence used for conviction and to see how the same deter the violators. An attempt is made to find out how the apex court in Rajasthan Cylinders case (Rajasthan Cylinders and Containers Ltd v. UOI and Anr. 2018 SCC Online SC 1718.) might have diluted the already weak conviction rate of India. Artificial intelligence is used in many jurisdictions for cartel identification. The evidentiary standards in Indian jurisdiction in regard to cartel identification are almost equivalent to 'beyond reasonable doubt' instead of 'preponderance of probability'. Need arises that the evidentiary jurisprudence of 'reverse onus or reverse burden', whereby shifting the burden of proof on the accused, should be used liberally in instances of anticompetitive practices. Did the apex court fail? If digital algorithms are there to guide and highlight the red flags in clandestine cartelization, how will the jurisdictions use them to counter the anti-competitive practices?. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Methods Results Conclusion To study academic, social and psychiatric outcomes among adults in the general population in southwestern Sweden. Groups of individuals born in 1998 and ineligible, eligible but not completed, and eligible and completed upper secondary school were followed in 2020.Data were retrieved from Statistics Sweden, the Swedish National Agency for Education, the Longitudinal Integrated Database for Health Insurance and Labour Market Studies, the Swedish National Crime Register and the National Patient Register. The four adverse outcomes neither engaging in post‐secondary studies nor having a regular salary, needing social benefits, having any criminal conviction, and having a psychiatric disorder at age ≥16 were examined.Of the final sample of 2706 individuals who had attended 9th grade of compulsory school in 2014, 273 (10%) were ineligible for upper secondary school. Of eligible individuals, 82 (3%) never started, 282 (10%) did not complete and 2065 (77%) completed upper secondary school. Compared with completers, the odds ratios for adverse outcomes were markedly increased for all other groups up to 22 years old.Inability to start or complete upper secondary school strongly predicted unemployment and psychosocial and psychiatric adversities. School authorities should consider offering vocational programmes post compulsory school without grade restrictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study aims to explore differences in the prevalence of early maladaptive schemas (EMS) in convicted sexual offenders (CSO's) as compared to the general male population (control group). Methods: The study included 102 men incarcerated for sexual offences and 167 men from a non-criminal population. The study used the Polish version of Young's schema questionnaire - YSQ-S3-PL. Results: The results demonstrated a higher degree of EMS severity in CSO except in the 'impaired limits' domain where non-criminal individuals scored higher. The individuals who have committed sexual offenses displayed more extensive and severe schemas than non-criminal / non-treated males (including more EMS domains). Discussion: The study revealed nine early maladaptive schemas characterising the specific mind-set of male sex offender convicts. The results seem to illustrate well the genesis of the formation of a disordered personality as described by J. Young within the schema therapy concept. In the context of the cited studies, these structures - in addition to their important role in the development of psychopathology - appear to contribute to sexual offending. Conclusions: The conclusion emerging from the findings is that EMS are an important problem for Individuals involved in sexual offending. A consideration of these schemas in the psychotherapy of CSO's would help develop new and effective therapeutic protocols designed to treat that particular population and reduce the rate of repeat offending. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research aiming to understand the risk of violence among women is scarce, yet women account for 18–21% of all violent crimes. Once incarcerated, women convicted of a violent crime still pose a high risk of prison violence. Research has found that a history of violence is a strong predictor of prison violence. However, little is known about the relation between the mechanism of prior violence (i.e. firearms) and subsequent prison violence. The goal of this study was to assess if women who had committed violent crimes with or without a firearm were at greater risk of prospectively committing prison violence over a 12-month period. A sample of 206 incarcerated women was used to assess the associations between criminal convictions and violent prison misconducts. Logistic regressions showed that women who committed a firearm-related crime were more likely to engage in prison violence when compared to women convicted of general forms of violence and non-violent crime. Due to the lack of research, future studies should explore firearm-related violence in female offenders to inform gender-specific violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Childhood externalizing problems have been linked with adult criminality. However, little is known about criminal outcomes among children with comorbid externalizing and internalizing problems. We examined the associations between profiles of behavioral problems during childhood (i.e., externalizing, internalizing, and comorbid) and criminality by early adulthood. Participants were N = 3017 children from the population-based Quebec Longitudinal Study of Kindergarten Children followed up from age 6–25. Multitrajectory modeling of teacher-rated externalizing and internalizing problems from age 6–12 years identified four distinct profiles: no/low, externalizing, internalizing, and comorbid problems. Juvenile (age 13–17) and adult (age 18–25) criminal convictions were extracted from official records. Compared to children in the no/low profile, those in the externalizing and comorbid profiles were at higher risk of having a criminal conviction, while no association was found for children in the internalizing profile. Children with comorbid externalizing and internalizing problems were most at risk of having a criminal conviction by adulthood, with a significantly higher risk when compared to children with externalizing or internalizing problems only. Similar results were found when violent and non-violent crimes were investigated separately. Specific interventions targeting early comorbid behavioral problems could reduce long-term criminality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The participation of women in criminal activity in Kosovo has not received ample attention in research, despite existing studies focusing on women as victims. This paper aims to address this gap and lay the groundwork for further investigation. The study examines the phenomenon of women convicted with final verdicts, covering the period from 2003 to 2009 regarding volume and dynamics, and from 2010 to 2019 regarding the structure of criminal acts. It delves into the etiology of these crimes, analyzing the factors contributing to the increasing dynamics and the types of offenses committed during these years. Special attention is given to electricity theft, offenses against public transport safety, and offenses against life and bodily integrity. The paper uses the quantitative method, statistical analysis, and comparative analysis with other countries, such as Slovenia, Croatia, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and Serbia in the same period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With Framework Decision 2008/947/JHA, about the application of the ' principle of mutual recognition to sentences and probation decisions with a view to the supervision of probation measures and alternative sanctions ', the European legislator intervened on the matter of criminal enforcement in order to coordinate those cases in which an ' alternative sanction ' is issued in one country and executed in a foreign country. This regulatory act, in addition to allowing the implementation of some founding principles of the European Union – in particular the mutual recognition of judicial decisions as well as the freedom of residence and movement in the various member countries – also pursues the express aim of ' strengthen the possibility of social reintegration of the convicted person, allowing him to maintain, among other things, family, linguistic and cultural ties, but also to improve the control of compliance with the probation measures and alternative sanctions with the aim of preventing recidivism, taking therefore consideration to the protection of victims and to the public, generally '. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lower autonomic arousal is a well-known correlate of criminal offending and other risk-taking behaviors in men, but few studies have investigated this association in women. Aim: To test associations between autonomic arousal and criminal offending as well as unintentional injuries among female conscripts. Methods: All women born 1958–1994 in Sweden who participated in voluntary military conscription (n = 12,499) were identified by linking Swedish population-based registers. Predictors were resting heart rate (RHR) and systolic blood pressure (SBP). Covariates were height, weight, and physical energy capacity. Main outcomes were criminal convictions (any, violent, and non-violent) from the National Crime Register. Secondary outcome was unintentional injuries requiring medical treatment or causing death. We used survival analyses to test for associations between predictors and outcomes. Results: Low RHR, relative to high RHR, was associated with an increased risk of any criminal conviction, non-violent criminal convictions, and unintentional injuries. Low SBP, relative to high SBP, was associated with an increased risk of violent criminal convictions. Conclusions: Results support lower autonomic arousal, particularly lower RHR, as a correlate of criminal offending among women that warrants further examination, as the reported findings have potential implications for the prediction of future female crime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Individuals with Attention‐Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) face an elevated risk of criminal convictions compared to those without ADHD. However, understanding this link involves considering sex differences, coexisting psychiatric conditions, and unmeasured familial factors. This study aimed to explore the connection between ADHD and criminal convictions (both violent and non‐violent) in males and females, while also assessing the impact of comorbid psychiatric disorders and familial factors. Methods: Using Swedish national registers, we identified individuals born between 1986 and 1997 (635,391 males and 600,548 females). ADHD was defined through clinical diagnosis and prescribed medications, while criminal convictions were determined based on Swedish lower court records. Unmeasured familial factors were accounted for using a sibling design approach. Results: Findings revealed that individuals with ADHD had a notably higher absolute and relative risk of both violent and non‐violent criminal convictions compared to those without ADHD. While criminal convictions were more frequent among males with ADHD, females with ADHD exhibited higher relative risks (HR violent 10.50, non‐violent 4.04) than their male counterparts (HR violent 6.03, non‐violent 3.57). Additionally, lower socioeconomic status (SES) in individuals with ADHD was associated with increased relative risks for criminal convictions compared to individuals with ADHD who had higher SES. Adjusting for childhood and internalizing psychiatric disorders partially attenuated these associations, while substance use disorders (SUD) substantially attenuated them. SUD also contributed to an elevated absolute risk of criminal convictions in both male and female individuals with ADHD. Accounting for unmeasured shared familial factors slightly reduced the estimates, but the association between ADHD and criminal convictions persisted. Conclusion: In conclusion, ADHD remains a potent independent risk factor for criminal convictions, with varying effects based on gender. This underscores the importance of tailored crime prevention strategies and early interventions for individuals with ADHD, especially when comorbid SUD is present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sentencing differences can arise from discriminatory sentences and sentence disparities. Only the former has been examined in Malaysia. This study addresses the gap using data on convicted bribe offenders between 2010 and 2021. Results show that while discriminatory sentencing arising from non-legal considerations exists, their effects on fines and imprisonment were not always uniform or in the same direction. Only being male unequivocally disadvantaged the offender. Professionals and whitecollar offenders paid higher fines, government servants and bribe solicitors served longer jail sentences, Malay judges handed out longer jail terms than their non-Malay counterparts, and the year 2021 was characterized by shorter jail terms relative to other periods. In the case of sentencing disparities, all differences are attributable to judicial discretion, exercised correctly or otherwise. Of greater concern, however, is the significant negative association between the severity of penalties imposed (fines and imprisonment) and the amount of corrupt money misappropriated. This seriously undermines the deterrent effect and fairness of the judicial system. Findings also suggest that the conclusion of a previous study that bribery offenders in Malaysia receive preferential treatment based on their social, political, and personal characteristics is not only sweeping but inaccurate and has to be modified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Professional misconduct has evolved into a worldwide concern, involving various forms and types of behaviours that contribute to unsafe practices. This study aimed to provide insights into the patterns characterising pharmacist misconduct and uncover underlying factors contributing to such instances in New Zealand. Methods: This research examined all cases of pharmacist misconduct sourced from the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal (HPDT) database in New Zealand since 2004. Characteristics of the sampled pharmacists and cases were extracted, followed by a systematic coding of the observed misconduct issues. Identification of risk factors was accomplished through content analysis techniques, enabling an assessment of their prevalence across various forms of misconduct. Results: The dataset of pharmacist misconduct cases comprised 58 disciplinary records involving 55 pharmacists. Seven types of misconduct were identified, with the most commonly observed being quality and safety issues related to drug, medication and care, as well as criminal conviction. A total of 13 risk factors were identified and systematically classified into three categories: (1) social, regulatory, and external environmental factors, (2) systematic, organisational, and practical considerations in the pharmacy, and (3) pharmacist individual factors. The most frequently mentioned and far-reaching factors include busyness, heavy workload or distraction; health impairment issues; and life stress or challenges. Conclusions: The patterns of pharmacist misconduct are complicated, multifaceted, and involve complex interactions among risk factors. Collaborative efforts involving individual pharmacists, professional bodies, responsible authorities, policy-makers, health funders and planners in key areas such as pharmacist workload and well-being are expected to mitigate the occurrence of misconduct. Future research should seek to uncover the origins, manifestations, and underlying relationships of various contributing factors through empirical research with appropriate individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In a recent trial, moral reconation therapy (MRT)—a cognitive–behavioral intervention for criminal recidivism—was not more effective than usual care (UC) for veterans in behavioral health treatment. To determine for whom treatments of recidivism are most effective, we tested if recency of criminal history or psychopathic traits moderated MRT's effects on outcomes. Method: In a multisite trial, 341 veterans (95.3% male; 57.8% White/Non-Hispanic) with a criminal history who were admitted to behavioral health treatment programs were randomly assigned to UC or UC + MRT and followed at 6- and 12-months. Incarceration (yes/no) or criminal conviction (yes/no) in the year prior to enrollment and psychopathic traits at baseline (median split) were prespecified as moderators of treatment effects on primary (criminal thinking, criminal associations) and secondary outcomes (legal, employment, and family/social problems; substance use problems and days of use). Results: Among veterans incarcerated in the year prior to enrollment, MRT (vs. UC) was associated with greater reductions in criminal associations (6 months) and days drinking or using drugs (12 months). Among those convicted in the year prior to enrollment, MRT (vs. UC) was associated with greater reductions in employment problems (12 months) and days drinking or using drugs at each follow-up. For those high in psychopathic traits, MRT (vs. UC) was associated with greater reductions in days drinking or using drugs at each follow-up. Conclusions: For veterans in behavioral health treatment with recent criminal histories and high in psychopathic traits, MRT may be effective for reducing risk for criminal recidivism. What is the public health significance of this article?: This study found that for veterans in behavioral health treatment programs with a criminal history, a group treatment aimed at reducing risk for criminal recidivism is effective for those with more recent criminal histories and those with greater psychopathic tendencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Wrongful criminal conviction can significantly impair the mental health of exonerees. However, much less is known about wrongful accusation: the impact of wrongful legal allegations or investigations—absent conviction—on mental health outcomes. Method: To address this gap, we surveyed 101 victims of the Post Office Scandal in the United Kingdom who were wrongly accused, convicted and/or investigated for financial 'losses' that were actually caused by software errors. Results: Most respondents reported clinically significant post‐traumatic stress (67%) and depressive (60%) symptoms—irrespective of the outcome of their case. These results suggest that both wrongful accusation and wrongful conviction can significantly impair mental health. Conclusion: Our findings have important implications for victims of the Post Office Scandal and highlight the unique needs of people impacted by flawed convictions and flawed legal accusations. Our findings underscore the need to provide exonerees with holistic postrelease support and demonstrate that this support should also be extended to victims of wrongful accusation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi-agency partnerships and intelligence-led policing are among the proactive policing strategies used to manage and prevent crime outside the criminal justice process. Drawing on narrative criminology, this article studies the co-constitution of concrete proactive policing methods and the populations and crimes that they are directed at. Further, the article illuminates the variety of distinct approaches that are understood in the studied policing context as 'preventive', a term found to be applicable to any police strategy or method that does not involve investigation and is not aimed at building a criminal case for prosecution. Whereas crime prevention effects are considered desirable and achievable, at least in theory, the internal organisational aim to prevent prosecution exerts an influence on how crimes as well as the crime prevention mandate are made sense of and rendered actionable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Notwithstanding claims about the emergence of 'crimmigration' systems, immigration law and criminal law entail two different sets of instruments for authorities to control foreign nationals. Drawing on an analysis of removal orders for foreign offenders in Finland, this article demonstrates that significant administrative powers in immigration enforcement are employed largely autonomously from the criminal justice system. Immigration law enables the police and immigration officials to issue removal orders based on fines or penal orders for (suspected) minor offences, without obtaining criminal convictions. In addition to disproportionate administrative sanctions for foreign nationals, removal orders involve a preventive rationale targeting future risks for the society based on the assumed continuation of criminal activities. While criminal courts adjudicate all severe offences, punitive application of immigration law enables authorities to bypass criminal justice procedures and safeguards, resulting in a distinct, administrative punitive system for visiting third-country nationals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attitudes towards individuals with sexual convictions play a major role in the formation of legislative action, including sentencing policies and registration and notification procedures. However, there is little research about stigmatization directed at those who are accused of such offenses prior to conviction. In this work we explored this gap by comparing stigmatization (e.g., a desire for social distance, and negative personality attributions) towards people accused of a range of crimes (sexual, violent, and acquisitive), and whether this was further impacted by whether or not allegations led to a conviction. We recruited 403 community-based participants for a between-subjects experimental survey. We found support for the conclusion that people accused of and convicted for sexual offenses are more heavily stigmatized than allegations related to other crime types, and especially so when allegations involved child victims. Stigmatization took the form of greater levels of support for police-initiated notifications about allegations before conviction, increased desires for social distance, and attributions of negative personality traits. We discuss the theoretical and applied implications of these findings in relation to stigma research and issues related to anonymity for those accused of sexual offenses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although banned in several countries worldwide, dog fighting has remained a challenge, particularly on criminal investigation, recognition, and prosecution. Besides animal cruelty, dog fighting has been controlled mostly by criminal organizations and accompanied by illegal gambling and drug trafficking. While such competitions may be impaired by advances of legislation on animal welfare and media coverage, international organized crime has been migrating to less regulated and enforced countries. The case herein reported a flagrant dog fighting investigation in an international event involving 27 Pitbull dogs in Mairiporã, located 50 km outside São Paulo City, Brazil. An international network of dog fighting was revealed at the tournament, along with presence of organizers from USA, Mexico, and Peru. Proof was obtained on-site about other similar past and future competitions in other Latin American countries. Dogs were rescued, thoroughly examined for signs of animal cruelty, surveyed for potential diseases, and tested positive for visceral canine leishmaniasis. The process conducted by the state hearing resulted in the highest criminal sentence attributed to animal cruelty in Brazil to date, serving as jurisprudence for future prosecutions. Forensic veterinary medicine was essential in this case as a specialty for police and court assistance, leading to detailed and undeniable report of animal cruelty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dysfunctional personality and psychopathological characteristics are increasingly studied in offenders separately, but only a few studies have analysed their relationship in this specific population. In this research, we focus on the so‐called Dark Triad personality, consisting of the Machiavellian, the narcissistic and the psychopathic personalities. The main objective of this study was to examine the association between Dark Triad personality and psychopathology and also to know the role of these mental health variables in recidivism. Participants were 63 offenders (44 men and 19 women) from two different penitentiary institutions. Sociodemographic data as well as clinical and personality characteristics were recorded. Psychopathology was assessed with the third version of the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory and dark personality with the Short Dark Triad. Results of descriptive statistical analyses revealed a high prevalence of psychopathology in convicted participants and reincarcerated offenders. Correlational analyses showed a strong relation between the Dark Triad personality and psychopathology, being the psychopathic personality the one with the highest association. Finally, we found that the psychopathological variables contributing most to the discrimination of reincarcerated participants were substance and alcohol abuse disorders and in relation to dysfunctional personality were psychopathy and narcissism, the latter in negative direction. These data highlight the relevance of a necessity for research exploring long‐term patterns of re‐incarceration for both men and women, including mental health disorders and personality models. The importance of taking into account the relationship between variables in preventive and treatment interventions inside and outside penitentiary institutions is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the influence of media coverage on criminal cases, offering insights from both Argentine and U.S. legal systems. It analyzes the impact of intense media attention on trial outcomes, explores mitigation measures implemented in the U.S. compared to Argentine regulations, and highlights the complexities of proving mens rea (criminal intent) amidst media scrutiny.

Context: Personality traits influence one's behavior and are an important determinant of psychological well-being. Though personality traits influencing criminal behavior have been well researched, the influence of these personality traits on the mental health of prisoners still needs to be studied. Aims: The current study was undertaken with the aim to compare the personality traits of convicted prisoners with and without psychiatric morbidity. Settings and Design: Two hundred convicted prisoners were administered a semi-structured questionnaire assessing sociodemographic and criminological variables and their personality characteristics were assessed using the Hindi PEN inventory. Subjects and Methods: They were categorized into two groups, i.e., with and without psychiatric morbidity based on whether or not they had any psychiatric disorder when assessed using mini-international neuropsychiatric interview and their personality characteristics were compared. Statistical Analysis Used: Frequencies with percentages, mean, and standard deviations were calculated for descriptive statistics using SPSS Version 20 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Mann--Whitney test was used for comparing two samples and Kruskal--Wallis one-way analysis of variance by ranks was used for comparing more than two samples. Spearman rank correlation was used for assessing the correlation between two variables. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: Convicts with psychiatric disorders scored significantly higher on neuroticism (10.78 ± 3.51) and psychoticism (8.64 ± 2.93) dimensions of personality as compared to their counterparts without psychiatric morbidity who had significantly higher scores on Extraversion (12.35 ± 2.92) (P < 0.01). Male convicts had significantly higher scores on the extraversion dimension of personality (10.79 ± 3.77) compared to their female counterparts (9.27 ± 3.49; P < 0.01) There was a significant negative correlation between extraversion and neuroticism (=-0.509), extraversion and psychoticism (=-0.355) and a high positive relationship between neuroticism and psychoticism (=0.634). Conclusions: A baseline personality assessment of prisoners at the time of intake into jail is strongly recommended to identify those with high vulnerability to develop psychiatric problems so that effective and timely interventions can be planned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With technology advancing at lightning speed, new forensic investigatory techniques have been developed. However, some convictions in criminal cases still depend on old and traditional techniques like using tracking dogs or K-9. It is common knowledge, dogs are intelligent animals and have keen sense of smell. In the early days, courts in America were hesitant to accept evidence from tracking dogs and have expressed many concerns in particular of dogs drawing inferences. However, tracking dog evidence has been accepted by courts in America since a decade ago. As dogs cannot go to the witness box to give evidence in court, their handlers are allowed to give evidence on behalf of their dogs in relation to the tracking and tracing. Courts in other jurisdictions have regarded dog handlers as an expert witness. This causes their opinions to be accepted as expert evidence. This writing discusses on the usage of tracking dogs by law enforcement agencies. Besides that, this articles also discusses the admissibility of tracking dog evidence by the courts in America. The methodology employed in this paper are descriptive, doctrinal, analytic and prescriptive in which case law, journal and books pertaining tracking dog evidence are analysed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research paper explores the critical issue of resocialization and rehabilitation of convicted individuals within the criminal justice system of the Republic of Kosovo. Crime is a phenomenon that threatens society according to external and internal negative factors. It affected the functioning of security, the social environment, and the economy in modern society for years. State institutions and civil and academic society must be engaged to have activities adequate for the resocialization, and re-education of persons convicted of criminal offenses. At the same time, preventive measures should be taken to avoid criminal behavior for which behavior then only unconditional measures should be taken, which is Prison. The paper proposes evidence-based recommendations for policymakers, correctional institutions, and community stakeholders. These recommendations aim to enhance existing strategies and foster a more inclusive and effective resocialization process for convicted persons in Kosovo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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While sex work has been incrementally decriminalized in New York City, statutes that criminalize some forms of sex work remain good law in New York City and generate potentially life-altering penalties for sex workers who are arrested or convicted under these laws. This leads to complications for sex workers who seek to rent apartments. The New York City Human Rights Law, the City's anti-discrimination statute, does not offer explicit protection to sex workers against housing discrimination, and two criminal laws penalize property owners for allowing sex work to occur on or near their premises. This Note explores the shortcomings of the New York City Human Rights Law as it applies to housing discrimination faced by sex workers, and names the dangers faced by sex workers whose landlords are criminally penalized for allowing sex work to occur on or near their properties. It emphasizes that the sex workers most likely to be criminalized and shut out of housing are Black and brown women who perform street-based work. This Note's solution is the decriminalization of sex work in all aspects. Doing so is one straightforward way to improve sex workers' access to housing, as nearly every rental application requires a criminal background check. This Note calls attention to current legislation that would decriminalize sex work in New York City, and other legislation that would allow sex workers to clear their criminal convictions. As an alternative solution, this Note suggests that criminal background checks be prohibited in housing applications, a step that would remove a major hurdle to obtaining safe, stable housing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The literature offers inconsistent answers to a question that is foundational to criminal law: Who imposes sentences? Traditional narratives place sentencing responsibility in the hands of the judge. Yet, in a country where 95% of criminal convictions come from guilty pleas (not trials), modern American scholars center prosecutors--who control plea terms--as the deciders of punishment. This Article highlights and seeks to resolve the tension between these conflicting narratives by charting the pathways by which sentences are determined in a system dominated by plea bargains. After reviewing the empirical literature on sentence variation, examining state and federal plea-bargaining rules and doctrines, and conducting some empirical analysis of our own, we conclude that neither of the competing narratives is correct. Sentencing in the United States has become a dynamic process with substantial contributions from multiple actors, not a static event controlled by any single actor. Zooming in on judges' contributions, we find that, contrary to much modern commentary, judges can (and do) influence plea-bargained sentences in even the most restrictive jurisdictions. Yet this judicial imprint is often obscured by formal rules that purport to exclude judges from plea negotiations. In addition, we identify a few scenarios where judges are prevented from influencing plea bargains and thus lose their traditional role as the ultimate arbiter of an individual's sentence. In response to these findings, we propose a reform that would make the already prevalent judicial influence over the substance of plea agreements more transparent. In addition, we suggest a legal change that would eliminate scenarios where judges are legally authorized but practically unable to reject (unusually harsh) plea deals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study adds to the emerging literature in respect of foraging criminal offenders. Optimal forager theory is drawn from ecology where it is used to examine the movement of foraging animals. Over the past decade and a half this theory has crossed disciplines into the criminological sphere. Within the criminal context, it has been used successfully to support police crime prevention and reduction strategies, most notably within the area of domestic burglary. By identifying the presence of a foraging offender police analysts predict future areas they will target and use this information to direct police preventative patrols. Despite its widespread use within policing there is little research to support the existence of this subset of offender beyond examining their near repeat victim selection and crime scene behaviour. This study aims to build upon this previous research by using a case study approach to examine the geographical profiles, demographic and criminal conviction characteristics of police-identified foraging offenders. In doing so, it offers new insights and distinctions with existing burglary offender typologies that indicate that foragers may indeed be a legitimate typology of offender. The study also outlines its limitations and areas for future research that will enable this theory to be further explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

I use the narrative method, The Listening Guide, to investigate Hijabi girlhood on YouTube through the girl-created trend #MyHijabStory that emerged in response to public misunderstanding of Hijab. The voice analysis examines how gendered subjectivities of Hijabi girlhood are constructed among narratives of piety, culture, fashion, community, and marginalization. I identified three voices: the convicted voice; the conflicted voice; and the critical voice. The first two involve looking inward and realizing multifaceted stories of coming to Hijab while the third involves looking outward to trouble the social world in which Hijabi girlhood is constituted through dominant discourses. I illustrate that #MyHijabStory vlogs are forms of narrative resistance by girls who seek to produce a public pedagogy of Hijab that is complex and embodied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Employment can reduce reoffending, yet many employers refrain from hiring candidates with prior convictions, particularly for sexual offences. This study explored employability ratings before and after a disclosure and barring service (DBS) check for a public facing job. The DBS check revealed either (i) rape, (ii) sexual activity with a child, (iii) possession of indecent photographs of children, or (iv) no criminal conviction. We measured ratings of trustworthiness, company value, and role suitability before and after the disclosure. Participants were then invited to keep or reject the candidate. As predicted, individuals with a prior sexual offence were perceived as less trustworthy, valuable, or suitable for employment. Those with contact offences (sexual activity with a child 80%, rape, 57%) received higher rejections than those with possession of photographs of children convictions (49%). Participants provided qualitative responses for their decision making. This data indicates directions for future research for enhancing employment opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jury service is a core tenet of civic engagement and an essential part of ensuring a trial by a jury of one's peers. Despite this, millions of Americans are barred from serving on a jury based on a prior criminal conviction. Oregon has one of the harshest jury exclusion laws in the country, barring people from serving on a jury with a felony conviction and certain misdemeanors. The modern context of the criminal justice system requires a new look at Oregon's law. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To provide comprehensive protection of personal data and data subjects, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has addressed various aspects. One of these protections is to pay attention to personal data that due to their sensitive nature, need more protection (specific personal data). This regulation sets out various requirements for the processing of specific personal data. These requirements include the principle of prohibition of sensitive personal data processing unless there is a legal exception. Another requirement is the need for official authority oversight and legal authorization to process personal data relating to criminal convictions and offences. Determining a certain age for consent to processing is also a requirement for protecting children’s personal data. In this study, by explaining in detail these requirements and clarifying how specific personal data is processed in EU law, the protection of specific personal data in Iranian law has also been examined. The conclusion is that although Iranian law on personal data does not have an independent law to rely on to protect specific personal data, however, according to the laws and regulations, legal doctrine, principles of Iranian law, there are many requirements for the processing of specific personal data set out in the GDPR, also in Iranian law. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is based on the lived experience of one of the authors (Damien) of overcoming the challenges of living with a criminal record and using it to set up the Spéire Nua project ('New Horizon'). The authors describe the context of currently ongoing and welcome policy developments and briefly outline some well-documented harms resulting from criminal record disclosure requirements. They then explore Damien's reflections on how he experienced set-backs and hurdles when attempting to move on in his life with a criminal conviction, showing how criminal record disclosures can counter reintegrative aims. The article continues by outlining how Damien harnessed these challenging experiences in setting up the Spéire Nua project. The authors discuss Spéire Nua's foundational elements, including a positive disclosure model, peer mentoring and its empowerment approach to social rehabilitation. The article concludes that Damien and Spéire Nua's efforts to innovate in the area of criminal record disclosure, collaborating with other actors in civil society, academia and state bodies, represents a valuable example of lived-experience policy entrepreneurship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article advocates that social enterprise can play an important role in lowering reoffending rates by addressing employment barriers for those with criminal convictions. It also posits that previous discourse in this area has lacked sufficient focus on how the social enterprise model can address wider and more complex criminogenic risk factors linked to criminal behaviour. The authors postulate that the social enterprise model can play a multifaceted role within a Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) and Desistance paradigm, combatting stigma and prejudice, promoting self-efficacy and lowering reoffending by harnessing broad psychosocial supports. While identifying key themes and factors that have contributed to the success of social enterprises that employ those with criminal convictions, the authors focus on two social enterprises operated by the Cornmarket Project in Co. Wexford. They highlight the importance of measuring outcomes when employing the social enterprise model, and describe a system used in the Cornmarket Project to measure client outcomes across a range of ten psychosocial domains. Finally, the authors explore future directions and potential opportunities for strengthening the capacity of the model to enhance desistance. Sounding a note of caution, they stress that there are still significant challenges in funding, policy support, and the need for more rigorous evaluation of social enterprise programmes. The authors conclude that, in addition to employment, the social enterprise model has the potential to offer a broader range of supports in strengthening desistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]