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Recent theoretical conceptions about organized crime refer to fragmented, decentralized and unstable organizations. This network-based structure increases their adaptability, posing a challenge for law enforcement. Security (controlling participants and concealing criminal activity) and efficiency (finding new resources) are directly related to the structural configuration of these networks and their properties. The aim of this article is to apply Social Network Analysis (SNA) by means of a triangulation process involving semi-structured interviews with seven members of a real drug trafficking organization, with the investigating officer and through sentencing testimony, to identify whether this organization has adapted to a more flexible configuration and how this fact might affect the management of its efficiency and security needs. The results of the SNA in terms of degree and betweenness of its participants and density and centralization of the network reflect an organization made up of interdependent subgroups, which coexist and are interrelated in a core–periphery logic as a result of the links established by different members who acted as intermediaries. This made it possible to maximize the exchange of resources (efficiency needs) but resulted in the compromising of security, a weak point on which law enforcement can focus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: to analyze the impact of the victim’s input in the parole process according to the US legislation. Methods: dialectical approach to cognition of social phenomena, allowing to analyze them in historical development and functioning in the context of the totality of objective and subjective factors, which predetermined the following research methods: formal-logical and sociological. Results: Little is understood about the parole release process, as state parole boards predominately operate with incredible discretion and keep their deliberations and rationales hidden from public view. Even less is understood about the intersection of the inscrutable parole release decision-making process and victim rights. As the victim rights movement mobilized in the1970s, victims, instead of remaining passive witnesses, came to wield significant influence over the release decision process. Today, victim participation in parole proceedings is increasing as most parole boards proclaim how important victims’ voices are and, in turn, actively incorporate victim input into their release calculus. Yet, it is not entirely clear what role, if any, victims should have in the release process because it is not entirely clear what purposes parole release should serve more generally. Rather than resolving these pressing questions that are at the heart of the release decision, the current system gives individual parole board members a great degree of discretion when it comes to how they approach victim input and the role it should serve. This approach has resulted in a release process that treats victim input in a troubling and inconsistent manner, which is unfair to inmates, victims, and parole board members alike. Scientific novelty: To make sense of this situation, this paper identifies four analytical frameworks for understanding discretionary parole release, which reveal board members’ options for approaching victim input. Ultimately, the author proposes that parole boards should approach the release decision as an evaluation of both the inmate’s rehabilitation and the extent to which sentencing’s retributive and deterrent goals have been met. In this vein, victim input should only influence the release decision if it provides information, not emotion, that the inmate is not rehabilitated or that the judge's minimumsentence did not accurately reflect the impact of the crime and that retribution or deterrence has not been met. In recognition of the implications of such an approach, the article proposes procedural changes to the release decision and structural changes to parole boards. These recommended reforms are animated by principles of equity, transparency, and procedural justice. Applying this approach to victim input in the parole process and implementing the corresponding procedural changes can hopefully create a system that is fairer for inmates, minimizes risks of secondary harms to victims, and protects board members from improper external pressures. Practical significance: the main provisions and conclusions of the article can be used in scientific, pedagogical and law enforcement activities when considering the issues related to parole release process.

In Peru, the excessive increase in the prison population turns out to be one of the most complex problems faced by the State in the framework of its prison policies. The purpose of this research is to determine the factors that have influenced the increase in the prison population in Peru between 2007 and 2022. The methodology used is explanatory with a mixed approach, divided into two stages: first, literature review with qualitative analysis and a second stage of empirical analysis with a quantitative, descriptive and cross-sectional approach. The main result was the trend of increase in the prison population in Peru in the last fifteen years. At the conclusion level, it has been possible to determine that the most influential factors in the increase in the penitentiary population in Peru between the years 2007 and 2022 are the high rate difference between the admissions and discharges of inmates to penal establishments, the disproportionate increase in sentences that generate a longer stay in penitentiary establishments, the prohibition of extramural penitentiary benefits and the excessive use of preventive detention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe plea of accused persons, whether guilty or not, forms a central part of the legal process. Such a decision must exclusively rest with the accused person and be devoid of judicial and extrajudicial influence. This study seeks to interrogate the contexts within which accused persons determine their plea in court. It is argued that all the forms of plea are employed by accused persons as a means of navigating the sentencing outcomes of their cases. The study used a mixed-methods approach to data gathering and analysis. The respondents explained their guilty plea within the context of leniency, the expedition of cases, and to avoid prison remand. Those who pleaded not guilty largely thought of it within the context of identifying a legal loophole and having the opportunity to appeal their sentence after conviction. The extent to which the police influenced the accused to plead guilty requires further investigation.

Within the European Union, the rights of persons deprived of their liberty in prisons are regulated by a combination of European legislation and the national laws of each Member State. Although there are efforts to harmonise legislation between EU Member States, including in the field of justice and human rights, there is still no specific institution of the 'prison lawyer' operating on the basis of common principles in all Member States. In some European countries, there are national institutions or bodies responsible for supervising the compliance with the rights of persons deprived of their liberty, but their name and structure may vary from one country to another. As regards the prospect of developing in the future an institution of "prison advocate" at EU level, based on common principles agreed by all EU Member States, this could be a long-term objective for the European Union. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The plea of accused persons, whether guilty or not, forms a central part of the legal process. Such a decision must exclusively rest with the accused person and be devoid of judicial and extrajudicial influence. This study seeks to interrogate the contexts within which accused persons determine their plea in court. It is argued that all the forms of plea are employed by accused persons as a means of navigating the sentencing outcomes of their cases. The study used a mixed-methods approach to data gathering and analysis. The respondents explained their guilty plea within the context of leniency, the expedition of cases, and to avoid prison remand. Those who pleaded not guilty largely thought of it within the context of identifying a legal loophole and having the opportunity to appeal their sentence after conviction. The extent to which the police influenced the accused to plead guilty requires further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of International Journal of New Economics & Social Sciences (IJONESS) is the property of Index Copernicus International and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The level of oral health among inmates living in restricted environments is poor. We investigated oral health behaviours and oral symptoms among male inmates and analysed factors related to OHRQoL. Three hundred and seventy-six male inmates in two prisons were investigated using a self-reported questionnaire. The survey items included oral health behaviours, oral symptoms, self-esteem, and OHRQoL level. We analysed the cross-correlations and factors related to OHRQoL. Toothbrushing after lunch and dinner was practiced by 83.5% of male inmates. 'Food impaction' was experienced by 45.4%. The OHRQoL level among male inmates was low, at 39.90 points. A hierarchical multiple regression model that controlled for general characteristics identified the following OHRQoL factors in order of significance: trouble biting/chewing (β = −0.307), toothache (β = −0.154), temporomandibular joint disorder (β = −0.099), and periodontal health (β = 0.089). Self-esteem and OHRQoL were not significantly correlated. To ensure oral health in male inmates, the results of this study suggest that an oral health education programme, as well as the provision of adequate dental care services, is required to increase appropriate oral health practice rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in drug use among inmates in prisons worldwide, including Kosovo, due to restrictions on visitation and addiction recovery programs. Objectives: This study analyzed drug use among 33,144 inmates in Kosovo prisons over nine years and aimed to identify potential solutions, foster collaboration between relevant institutions, and develop better programs and treatments. Methods and Results: The study is based on data from the medical files of inmates examined over nine years (2014-2022) in 10 Kosovo prison health units. From the total number of inmates, 8.22% were identified as drug users, and the percentage of drug use among inmates steadily increased from 5.8% in 2014 to 15.48% in 2019. In 2020, the first year of the pandemic, there was a decrease of 1.16% (from 15.48% to 14.28%), which was the first decrease in six years. The study also found a disproportional decrease in the number of inmates admitted during the same period. The Medico Psycho Therapeutic Center “Labyrinth” showed a similar trend. Suicide attempts, death under custody, and tobacco use increased linearly, with alcohol use remaining stable. Conclusion: The study highlights the need for effective prevention, treatment, and management strategies for drug use among inmates and the general population in Kosovo. Continuous collaboration between relevant institutions and stakeholders is essential to improve the health and well-being of those affected by drug use and create a brighter future for Kosovo.

Copyright of Revista del Museo de Antropología is the property of Museo de Antropologia - IDACOR and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Research into opportunities for prevention including health promotion information about alcohol and other drugs (AoD) harms for people who go to prison is sparce. This is despite there being ample research reporting how much and how frequently AoD have been used by people who go to prison. This article describes results from a qualitative thematic analysis of interviews with 31 men in a Sydney prison, about where they first received health promotion information about AoD‐related harms and their first‐ever treatment episode. No participant reported receiving education on AoD harms or treatment support services in primary school or high school. Only one participant received their first treatment episode through a health service (in his case from a doctor) and none reported being screened for AoD use at a health service. Almost all (n = 27) participants had their first session with a trained AoD professional through the criminal justice system. Pro‐active screening in health services for AoD use disorders and referral to appropriate health services is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The handling of recidivism crimes is carried out in a series of systems called the criminal justice system, which is a means in society to tackle crime. The components of the criminal justice system in Indonesia are the police, prosecutors, courts and correctional institutions. Correctional institutions provide guidance so that convicts become human beings who are useful in the future. From this, researchers are interested in reviewing the Impact of the Industrial Revolution 4.0 Era on the Development of Prisoners in Indonesian Correctional Institutions. In this research, the authors used an ethnographic study system research approach with a descriptive approach. Ethnography is a social science research method. This research concludes that there are factors related to the lack of success in personality development and recidivism. The main focus of research is to develop a distribution system for the work of channeling prisoners' work through the industrial revolution 4.0. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limited existing evidence and health provider perceptions suggest that prevalence of obesity among incarcerated people residing in U.S. correctional institutions is high. Evaluating evidence of obesity and weight change during incarceration will allow for the determination of whether people are subject to weight gain during incarceration. A systematic review of three online databases, gray literature, and reference lists of articles of interest was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist. A meta-analysis to obtain pooled prevalence estimates of obesity among U.S. incarcerated people was then completed. A total of 11 studies met our inclusion criteria. Results show the estimated pooled prevalence of obesity in incarcerated men (30.0%) was less than the national average. The estimated pooled prevalence of obesity in females (39.8%) was similar to the national average. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suicide in prison is the result of a complex combination of different elements. The risk determinants of a convicted person are translated into two parts, factors imported from their liberty and factors acquired in the penitentiary environment as a product of incarceration. The risk factors described are demographic, psychosocial, medical, and criminogenic. This paper makes a literature review dedicated to suicide actions in prison by exposing the risk factors that lead to this event, while making some concrete suggestions regarding the methods of prevention. The research also presents a report analysis made by the National Council of Europe, with other states, on suicide cases and deaths highlighted in Romanian penitentiaries. The method used was the sorting of the literature based on two elements, the risk factors identified prior to arrest and those during detention, analyzing the publications that contained terms with arguments and discussions on suicide risk factors in prison. The most relevant conclusions appear at suicidal risk factors on a clinical criminogenic, and institutional background and, at the opposite pole, the environmental and educational factors that can hardly be improved. The study also discovers several pro-active strategies for suicide prevention in prison, evaluation during incarceration and during custody, shared accommodation, involvement of the support inmate and family, development of specific programs and other interventions in the work with the prisoner at risk of suicide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Physical activity in prison systems worldwide has been ignored for decades. The congested status of penal institutions around the country tends to breed unhealthy living conditions. Also, they are often deprived of physical activities due to limited opportunities. A person deprived of liberty means a person who has been arrested, held in lawful custody, detained, or imprisoned in execution of a lawful sentence. Objectives: This study aims to determine the physical activities and the scale of physical activity satisfaction of persons deprived of liberty in Santiago City District Jail, Philippines. Methods: This descriptive study utilized a survey of 140 randomly selected detainees and face-to-face interviews with 30 randomly chosen detainees. The questionnaire is divided into three parts: respondents' profiles, physical activities, and the scale of physical activity satisfaction. The interview method validated the results of the survey. Jacob G. Beard and Mounir G. Ragheb developed the Physical Activity Satisfaction Scale. It was adopted, validated, and used to determine the inmates' physical activity level of satisfaction. Results: Findings show that most of the inmate-respondents are generally engaged in games or sports, dance, and other livelihood activities on an irregular basis. They also pronounced their satisfaction with their physical activities as they benefited from physiological, relaxational, educational, psychological, social, and aesthetic domains. Conclusion: It can be concluded that games and sports activities are moderately and positively related to physical activities' psychological and relaxational domains of the inmates.

In Indonesia, the number of inmates increases almost every year. On the other hand, the Indonesian government is often faced with a limited number of existing prison facilities, including mental health services. Many cases of mental disorders in inmates are not treated, and their conditions even get worse. This program aimed to develop a mental health service program for inmates with individual counseling and supportive group therapy combined with the dhikr therapy in one of the prisons in Indonesia. Data were collected using questionnaires, interviews, and Focus Group Discussions (FGD). Questionnaires and interviews were conducted with the inmates, while the FGDs were conducted with psychologists. Data were analyzed descriptively for questionnaires and thematic analysis for interviews and FGDs. Based on the data collected, as many as 34 inmates used individual counseling services with a total of 50 visits. The data shows that the problems consulted in the form of family problems (59%), problems with partners (20%), prison environment problems (6%), fear of being released (6%), self-esteem problems (6%), and problems about a job (3%). The results of data analysis showed that the inmates feel that psychological interventions in prison were beneficial. Both inmates who had attended individual counseling and supportive group therapy combined with the dhikr therapy felt its benefits in overcoming the psychological problems. This study suggests that mental health services in prisons need to be an area of concern, considering the urgent needs in prisons.

This article investigates prison correctional rehabilitation for inmate empowerment at Oke Kura prison. The study investigated the effect of rehabilitation programs on prisoners and ex-offenders in terms of empowerment and recidivism, and the greatest advantages gained by inmates were in the areas of improved literacy skills, correctional and empowered vocational training. The qualitative element was dominated by a focus group with 10 informants from Oke Kura prison in Kwara State, North Central Nigeria, and it was analyzed thematically using NVivo 10. In general, determining the rehabilitation program that shapes the trajectory of recidivism among offenders. The findings revealed that correctional rehabilitation programs are the key players in the process of re-integrating inmates into society. The findings revealed that correctional rehabilitation programs are the key players in the process of re-integrating inmates into society. The study's findings also revealed that the major factors impeding the prison rehabilitation program include rejection, assimilation challenges, and difficulty in maintaining the program's continuity, as well as insufficient training materials and a conducive learning environment, which affects inmates' performance in learning outcomes and practices of their skills.

The objective of this study was to evaluate, in a group of Galician inmates, if there were variations in the levels of physical and mental health and anxiety–depressive symptomatology, depending on the sports' practice performed. The relationship between these constructs was also investigated. The sample was composed of 509 people deprived of liberty in prisons in the Autonomous Community of Galicia, Spain. A quantitative methodology was used, with the questionnaire as an information collection instrument, Student's t-tests, Pearson's correlation analysis and a stepwise regression analysis were carried out. The results indicated that those who performed physical activity during their stay in prison had higher levels of physical and mental health, as well as lower indicators of anxiety–depressive symptoms. People who did not practice sports showed a decrease in their perceived health levels when compared to those perceived in their pre-prison stage. A negative association was shown between perceived health levels and anxiety–depressive symptomatology. Perceived physical health, alone, explained 35% of the variance in perceived mental health. These results add to knowledge about the relationships between perceived health, anxiety–depressive symptoms and sports practice in the group of people deprived of liberty, highlighting the importance of promoting physical activity in penitentiary institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Using paper surveys, we investigated sexual behaviors and desires of 181 inmates in a Finnish prison. Conjugal visits, sexual desire, and gender were the strongest predictors of sexual activity. Reports of coercive experiences were somewhat less prevalent than reported in international studies. Compared with population-based data, inmates reported fewer partnered behaviors, although their desires for these activities were similar. The masturbation frequency did not differ between the two populations; men generally masturbated more than they desired. Male prisoners who reported more masturbation also reported lower well-being. These results can be used to guide prisoners and staff on topics relevant to prisoner sexuality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Paradigma is the property of Universidad Pedagogica Experimental Libertador and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Biuletyn Kryminologiczny is the property of Polish Academy of Sciences, Institute of Legal Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Inmates often accuse correctional officers and prison guards of mistreatment and abusing their power; however, much less is known about how inmates react to correctional counselors. In this study responses to Likert scale items revealed inmates largely perceived counselors as fair and respectable. However, the focus of this exploratory analysis was to review inmates' written responses about their perceptions, experiences, and interactions with correctional counselors. A content analysis revealed themes including "not helpful"; "respectful"; "no contact"; and "caseload concerns" emerged. Written comments were analyzed separately for male and female inmates. A narrative compiled the most comprehensive comments and provided an overall picture about inmates' perceptions of correctional counselors. Findings revealed female inmates more often described correctional counselors as rude and disrespectful than male inmates; however, male inmates more often expressed concern that counselors were not adhering to prison policies. Female and male inmates alike criticized correctional counselors for having a general lack of knowledge or were incompetent in their job and they believed counselors were not motivated or lacked responsiveness to inmate requests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: From 85348 inmates in England and Wales, over 26,000 incidents of assault and 40,000 of self-harm were reported from within prisons in 2016. This study focuses primarily on burn injuries in prison, determining the predominant aetiology as well as clinical outcomes of these injuries.Methods: Data was retrieved retrospectively and a case series performed, including all burns referred from regional prisons to our centre from 2007 to 2017 and comprising patient demographics, mechanism of injury, total body surface area affected, management, and outcome. Cost analysis of care was conducted using a previously published framework.Results: 18 cases from three regional prisons were recorded, with 67% from a single prison. Referrals rose exponentially over time, with 44% occurring in 2017. 94% were scald burns, and 56% secondary to assault, primarily through the use of kettles and mostly targeting the face and trunk. The mean TBSA of burn was 2.89% (<1-8%), and 80% received first aid. 72.2% were admitted to hospital for an average of 4 days. All burns were managed nonoperatively with dressings and underwent on average 2 outpatient reviews (1-8).Discussion: The disproportionate spread of referrals across the prisons correlates partly with the respective populations, but may also represent contrasting medical provisions. The recurring method of assault reflects the relative ease of access to hot water as a harmful agent, predominantly presenting with scalds affecting more critical areas, and with concurrent physical trauma in nearly half of cases which presents management challenges.Conclusion: Targeted education is recommended to reduce the incidence and ensure adequate management of burns in prison, referrals for which are demonstrably rising. Accordingly, the Burns Outreach team can provide training to in-house prison health staff and review referrals to specialist Burns services, aiming to ensure equitable care while alleviating costs associated with transfer to and management in hospital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In Brazil, despite the current legislation guaranteeing the health care of Persons Deprived of Liberty, the prison scenario is considered a public health issue. Objective: To understand the challenges to guarantee integrality in the context of the National Comprehensive Healthcare Policy for People Deprived of Liberty in the Prison System. Method: A qualitative study was carried out with 75 persons deprived of their liberty who were serving sentences in prisons in the state of Paraíba. The collection took place through a sociodemographic questionnaire and semi-structured interview. Content Analysis was carried out. Results: The participants were mostly young, from the State of Paraíba, married, Catholics, with an average of one to three children, received visits from family members, with incomplete elementary education, family income below one minimum wage, were in a closed regime and were repeat offenders. After the analysis of the statements, the categories were conformed: Healthcare and Physical structure. Conclusion: The challenges to guarantee comprehensive care in the PLP in the Brazilian context refers to the structural deficiencies of public health policies, accentuated in the prison context by the disarticulation between the health and justice work process, as well as the formative fragility of the actors involved in assisting this clientele. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an attempt to properly address one of the greatest challenges for prison administrations around the world facing Covid-19, namely, to ensure regular communication between the inmates and their families, the Serbian Penal Administration, supported by German NGO Help e.V, procured the ICT equipment aimed at substituting the in-person visits. The author decided to assess the impact of this pilot project on the right of inmates to communicate with their family members, exploring their attitudes and the attitudes of professionals/prison staff that work with them, to get both perspectives. The results of the research showed that the online communication ensured through the pilot project has significantly contributed to preserving contacts and family relations in the changing environment of the Covid-19 restrictive measures, although it cannot completely replace family visits based on, in-person contact. However, the research also led to some of the remaining obstacles to a wider application of this, substitutive approach, among others, concerning the lack of IT literacy and the both of inmates and their family members, and to the life in poverty and/or in remote country areas. Additionally, this research identified a remaining need for further financial investment in the IT equipment to ensure adequate frequency and duration of communication, but also the need to revise/upgrade an existing treatment approach to integrating modern technologies/IT literacy as tools to contribute to the effectiveness of inmates’ reintegration.

Indoor air quality determines the well-being of occupants. It has been linked to sick building syndrome and building-related diseases which lead to many socio-economic problems including reduced productivity and impaired learning. Indoor air quality problem is more serious for prisoners, due to their confinement and exposure condition. However, it has not been studied in our study setting. Thus, this study aimed to determine the indoor air microbial quality and associated factors in Jimma town prison administration, Southwestern Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study design was employed in August 2021. Data on the general condition of the prison rooms and occupancy were collected by trained data collectors using an observational checklist. The microbial sample was collected using a sterilized Petri dish. A total of 19 triplicate air samples were collected using Mannitol salt agar and Sabouroad dextrose agar media for the growth of S. aureus and fungi respectively. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23 and presented using tables and a graph. The effect of predictor variables on the microbial load was also analyzed by using linear regression. The finding of this study revealed that the microbial load of indoor air at Jimma town prison administration ranged from 891 to 15 439 and 315 to 3067 CFU/m³ for S. aureus and fungi respectively. Both S. aureus and the fungal load of the indoor environment were positively affected by the temperature of the room. Whereas, the floor space per inmate affects the concentration of S. aureus alone. Almost all rooms of the prison administration had microbial load beyond the acceptable limit. Higher temperature, less floor space per inmate, bad floor cleanness conditions, inadequate ventilation, and dampness were contributing factors to the high load of S. aureus and fungus. Thus, additional rooms are required to reduce overcrowding and keep room temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Prisons are considered as major reservoirs for tuberculosis. Preventive therapy for latent TB infection (LTBI) is an adjunctive strategy to control TB. However, LTBI data in Thai prisoners is limited. This study assessed the prevalence of LTBI and feasibility of isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT). Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among prisoners in Klong Prem Central Prison, Bangkok. Participants were screened for active TB by questionnaire and chest X-ray. LTBI was evaluated by Tuberculin skin test (TST) and QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFTP) among subgroup. Participants with positive TST or QFTP were considered to have LTBI. Participants with LTBI were offered IPT. Results From August 2018–November 2019, 1002 participants were analyzed. All participants were male with a median age of 38 (IQR 32–50) years. LTBI identified by either TST/QFTP was present in 466 (46.5%) participants. TST was positive in 359 (36%) participants. In the subgroup of 294 participants who had both TST and QFTP results, 181/294 (61.6%) tested positive by QFTP. Agreement between TST and QFTP was 55.1% (Kappa = 0.17). The risk factors associated with LTBI were previous incarceration (aOR 1.53, 95%CI, 1.16–2.01, p = 0.002), history of prior active TB (aOR 3.02, 95%CI, 1.74–5.24, p

The study aimed to measure the inclinations of the Kuwaiti youth toward drugs. In order to obtain information relevant to drugs, their abusers, and prevention methods against them, the descriptive-analytical method was followed, with its well-known and clear steps, in order to acquire primary data from the study sample. It was made clear that a large percentage of the study sample knew about narcotic pills, with a percentage of 90.7%. The sample attributed the vast spread of drug abuse primarily to lack of familial supervision, with a percentage of 67.2%. 72.5% of the study sample indicated that the projected image of drug addicts is negative. The results around the sources of information are as follows: Radio at 76.5% - Journalism at 62.3% - YouTube at 53.9% - Cinema at 52.3% - Friends at 49.7% - Television at 39.7% - Social media sites at 39.2% - The Internet at 29.9% - Cinematic Films at 21.1%. It was clear that the best preventive methods in the eyes of the study sample lie primarily in treating addicts and instilling firm procedures in schools and universities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compulsory commitment of inmates into restrictive housing, or so called solitary confinement, administrative segregation, supermax, gives rise to many controversial issues that scientific research in the United States deals with. Subject to discussion are especially the constitutional controversies and the influence of such a treatment on the offender’s wellbeing as a human that tends to maintain social contact and that is vulnerable to possible negative impact of such strict conditions. Among scholars and practitioners there are opponents and also supporters of this solution, although internationally there is a conclusion (see the Nelson Mandela Rules) that restrictive housing should be banned, in particular when it is imposed on inmates for an indeterminate period or a prolonged period of time. Nowadays, the prevalent opinion is that other policies and practices should be worked out and implemented in order to replace restrictive housing, and at the same time that tools will have to be able to assist in achieving the main goals: security and order in the prison as well as rehabilitation and deterrent impact on inmates.

Copyright of Civitas Hominibus is the property of Akademii Humanistyczno-Ekonomicznej and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Civitas Hominibus is the property of Akademii Humanistyczno-Ekonomicznej and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background Washington, District of Columbia lowered severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 transmission in its large jail while community incidence was still high Methods Coordinated clinical and operational interventions brought new cases to near zero. Results Aggressive infection control and underlying jail architecture can promote correctional coronavirus disease 2019 management. Conclusions More intensive monitoring could help confirm that in-house transmission is truly zero. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pastoral counseling is provided by The Religious Affairs Presidency in Turkey, to assist individuals in coping with challenges, unique to various modern places and situations utilizing religious references, similar to the other examples around the world. In this study, convicts' experiences in pastoral counseling from Bursa H and E Type Penal Institutions are examined. The social capital of 18 inmates will be used as a lens to address these experiences. One of the qualitative study designs, phenomenology, has been chosen to expose the aforementioned framework. MAXQDA was used to code the data collected from one-on-one interviews, which were then submitted to content analysis. As a result, three major themes emerged. The first of them is the offenders' pre-prison social capital theme, which is divided into four categories: family, education, immigration, and past imprisonment. The second theme is social capital in prison, which is divided into seven categories: The decision to commit a crime, the adjustment process, everyday activities, contacts with the outside world, relationships with staff, labor branches, and training programs. The final theme in our research is pastoral counseling experience in the context of social capital, which is divided into three categories: functionality seeking, hoca discourse, and ward culture. Finally, it has been discovered that inmates generally experience prison services, particularly pastoral counseling, via the lens of profit-loss calculations based on social capital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an attempt to properly address one of the greatest challenges for prison administrations around the world facing Covid-19, namely, to ensure regular communication between the inmates and their families, the Serbian Penal Administration, supported by German NGO Help e.V, procured the ICT equipment aimed at substituting the in-person visits. The author decided to assess the impact of this pilot project on the right of inmates to communicate with their family members, exploring their attitudes and the attitudes of professionals/prison staff that work with them, to get both perspectives. The results of the research showed that the online communication ensured through the pilot project has significantly contributed to preserving contacts and family relations in the changing environment of the Covid-19 restrictive measures, although it cannot completely replace family visits based on, in-person contact. However, the research also led to some of the remaining obstacles to a wider application of this, substitutive approach, among others, concerning the lack of IT literacy and the both of inmates and their family members, and to the life in poverty and/or in remote country areas. Additionally, this research identified a remaining need for further financial investment in the IT equipment to ensure adequate frequency and duration of communication, but also the need to revise/upgrade an existing treatment approach to integrating modern technologies/IT literacy as tools to contribute to the effectiveness of inmates? reintegration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Prisons are considered as major reservoirs for tuberculosis. Preventive therapy for latent TB infection (LTBI) is an adjunctive strategy to control TB. However, LTBI data in Thai prisoners is limited. This study assessed the prevalence of LTBI and feasibility of isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT).Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among prisoners in Klong Prem Central Prison, Bangkok. Participants were screened for active TB by questionnaire and chest X-ray. LTBI was evaluated by Tuberculin skin test (TST) and QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFTP) among subgroup. Participants with positive TST or QFTP were considered to have LTBI. Participants with LTBI were offered IPT.Results: From August 2018-November 2019, 1002 participants were analyzed. All participants were male with a median age of 38 (IQR 32-50) years. LTBI identified by either TST/QFTP was present in 466 (46.5%) participants. TST was positive in 359 (36%) participants. In the subgroup of 294 participants who had both TST and QFTP results, 181/294 (61.6%) tested positive by QFTP. Agreement between TST and QFTP was 55.1% (Kappa = 0.17). The risk factors associated with LTBI were previous incarceration (aOR 1.53, 95%CI, 1.16-2.01, p = 0.002), history of prior active TB (aOR 3.02, 95%CI, 1.74-5.24, p < 0.001) and duration of incarceration ≥10 years (aOR 1.86, 95%CI, 1.24-2.79, p = 0.003). Majority of LTBI participants (82%) agreed to take IPT. Three hundred and 56 (93%) participants completed treatment whereas 27 (7%) participants discontinued IPT due to the side effects of INH.Conclusion: This is the first study to evaluate the prevalence of LTBI and feasibility of IPT among Thai prisoners. LTBI prevalence in male prisoners in Thailand is high. LTBI screening and treatment should be implemented together with other preventive components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper evaluates whether participation in the Thinking for a Change cognitive behavioral program produces improvement in social problemsolving skills in a prison context. Data are derived from a randomized experiment, with a focus on whether improvement in social problemsolving skills varies across modified delivery formats, and whether improvements are attributable to program completion or program dosage. We find that there are significant improvements in social problem solving between the pre- and post-test, and that delivery of the curriculum using video conferencing technology or inmate co-facilitated formats produces equivalent outcomes relative to traditional classroom administration. On average, significant improvements accrue to participants who receive greater program dosage. However, program completion, commonly viewed as a primary marker of satisfactory program performance, is not associated with improvement in social problem solving. Implications of the findings for rehabilitation programming are discussed, including considerations in a pandemic context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Interventions to better manage aggressive behaviour and reduce recidivism are a primary concern for corrective services. Nutritional interventions to correct prisoner behaviour have been largely overlooked in the literature. Emerging evidence suggests that dietary intake influences aggressive behaviours and that nutritional supplementation with omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFA) could attenuate both the severity and frequency of aggressive behaviour.Methods: Adult male prisoners who have a history of aggressive behaviour (n = 600) will be recruited from at least 6 Correctional Centres and randomised to receive either n-3 LCPUFA or placebo supplementation for a 16-week duration. Treatment will be with either 1 g/day of n-3 LCPUFA (694 mg DHA and 397 mg EPA) or placebo capsules, which are a corn/soy oil blend and are identical in size and colour. The primary outcome measure is the Inmate Behavioural Observation Scale (IBOS): an objective measure of aggressive behaviour. Secondary outcome measures include questionnaires (including aggression, attention deficit disorder, impulsivity, depression/anxiety/stress scales), engagement in programmes, recidivism and quality of life. Baseline and post-intervention assessments include the IBOS, questionnaires and blood to measure the levels of n-3 LCPUFA.Discussion: To conclusively test the potential that increasing n-3 LCPUFA intakes can improve rates of prisoner aggression and associated mental health and violence-related social system management costs, we propose an adequately powered multi-centre, double-blind, randomised controlled trial, examining the effects of n-3 LCPUFA supplementation on aggressive behaviour in adult male prisoners. If successful, this study will inform prisoner policy with respect to nutrition and by inference contribute to a broader community approach to preventative mental health practices.Trial Registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ANZCTR) ACTRN12618001665224 . Registered on 10 October 2018. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Approximately 1.5 million persons are incarcerated in American prisons (Carson, 2020), and the rate at which persons who have been incarcerated reoffend (recidivism) is high (Alper et al., 2018, p. 1). This has propelled the effort to help offenders change their trajectory. Rehabilitative programs are used to help prisoners gain skills and strengths necessary to succeed in the community after their release. Yet, these high recidivism rates persist. Why do some prisoners not benefit from these programs? Although many researchers have studied the efficacy of programs over the past six decades, less attention has been directed towards access to prison programming. Additionally, studies that explore prisoners' perspectives are not common. This researcher sought to understand programming access and utilization through the prisoner's lens. This phenomenological, qualitative study explored 49 male prisoners' perspectives. The findings suggest the prison's operational structure impeded program access and the study's participants who experienced blocked access were negatively affected, not receiving needed rehabilitative programming and, separately, suffering from the act of disenfranchisement from services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on the forgiveness of self has largely focused on less severe, more common types of offenses among samples within developed westernized nations. In this brief report of a study within a developing nation in Africa, applications of self-forgiveness are extended to incarcerated people. The sample comprised N = 310 males (83.87%) and females (16.13%) who were incarcerated in a medium-security Ghanaian prison (Mage = 39.35, SDage = 13.28). Participants completed measures of self-forgiveness, shame-proneness, and guilt-proneness. Prison records were examined for criminal history details. We hypothesized that self-forgiveness would correlate negatively with shame-proneness and positively with guilt-proneness. We tentatively hypothesized that this association would be moderated by offense type. Self-forgiveness correlated with both shame- and guilt-proneness in the hypothesized direction. However, neither association was moderated by type of offense. The findings offer further evidence on the salience of self-conscious emotions in forgiving oneself, particularly among incarcerated offender populations. We discuss the implications of the findings for enhancing offender rehabilitation initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world. Incarceration can increase HIV risk behaviors for individuals involved with the criminal justice system and may be a driver of HIV acquisition within the community. Methods We used an agent-based model to simulate HIV transmission in a sexual-contact network representing heterosexual African American men and women in Philadelphia to identify factors influencing the impact of male mass incarceration on HIV acquisition in women. The model was calibrated using surveillance data and assumed incarceration increased the number of sexual contacts and decreased HIV care engagement for men post-release. Incarceration of a partner increased the number of sexual contacts for women. We compared a counterfactual scenario with no incarceration to scenarios varying key parameters to determine what factors drove HIV acquisition in women. Results Setting the duration of male high-risk sexual behavior to two years post-release increased the number of HIV transmissions to women by more than 20%. Decreasing post-release HIV care engagement and increasing HIV acquisition risk attributable to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) also increased the number of HIV transmissions to women. Changing the duration of risk behavior for women, the proportion of women engaging in higher risk behavior, and the relative risk of incarceration for HIV-infected men had minimal impact. Conclusion The mass incarceration of African American men can increase HIV acquisition in African American women on a population-level through factors including post-release high-risk behaviors, disruption of HIV care engagement among formerly incarcerated men, and increased STI prevalence. These findings suggest that the most influential points of intervention may be programs seeking to reduce male risk behaviors and promote HIV care engagement post-release, as well as STI testing and treatment programs for recently incarcerated men, as well as women with incarcerated partners.