Pub Date : 2021-10-02DOI: 10.1080/1478601X.2021.1999114
A. Clements, G. Kinman
ABSTRACT Prison officers experience a number of occupational and organizational stressors, and are at considerable risk of burnout. There has been limited research examining the processes by which the demands officers experience impact on their burnout risk. Drawing on the job demands-resources model, we tested distributive justice perceptions as a mediator for the relationship between workload and violence with emotional exhaustion. We further tested whether supervisor-focused interactional justice perceptions would be associated with reduced emotional exhaustion via stress culture (i.e. a perceived ability to discuss stress-related problems with managers). UK prison officers (N = 1792) completed an online survey. Findings indicated that, while workload was associated with emotional exhaustion directly and via distributive justice, experiences of violence was only directly linked with emotional exhaustion. Interactional justice was significantly associated with emotional exhaustion via the ability to discuss stress-related problems, but the association was weak. Findings suggest positive manager-subordinate relationships are not sufficient to meaningfully enhance psychological wellbeing. Instead we highlight the need to manage officers’ workload.
{"title":"Job demands, organizational justice, and emotional exhaustion in prison officers","authors":"A. Clements, G. Kinman","doi":"10.1080/1478601X.2021.1999114","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/1478601X.2021.1999114","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Prison officers experience a number of occupational and organizational stressors, and are at considerable risk of burnout. There has been limited research examining the processes by which the demands officers experience impact on their burnout risk. Drawing on the job demands-resources model, we tested distributive justice perceptions as a mediator for the relationship between workload and violence with emotional exhaustion. We further tested whether supervisor-focused interactional justice perceptions would be associated with reduced emotional exhaustion via stress culture (i.e. a perceived ability to discuss stress-related problems with managers). UK prison officers (N = 1792) completed an online survey. Findings indicated that, while workload was associated with emotional exhaustion directly and via distributive justice, experiences of violence was only directly linked with emotional exhaustion. Interactional justice was significantly associated with emotional exhaustion via the ability to discuss stress-related problems, but the association was weak. Findings suggest positive manager-subordinate relationships are not sufficient to meaningfully enhance psychological wellbeing. Instead we highlight the need to manage officers’ workload.","PeriodicalId":45877,"journal":{"name":"CRIMINAL JUSTICE STUDIES","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2021-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41246557","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-10-02DOI: 10.1080/1478601X.2021.1999115
Logan Lavender, N. Todak
ABSTRACT Previous research has documented high rates of stress, PTSD, and other health and wellness problems in U.S. correctional officers (COs). In some studies, rates of mental health issues among COs surpassed those observed in combat-experienced veteran and police officer samples. Unfortunately, this crisis has not received much empirical attention. Drawing on a survey of COs working in Washington state (N = 420), we test whether facility and shift variables are related to CO stress, PTSD, and quality of life across four domains: physical health, mental health, social relationships, and physical environment. Few organizational factors were significantly related to health and wellness problems in COs. However, PTSD and stress levels were much higher in our sample than has been reported in past studies (e.g. 27% of our sample met the criteria for diagnosable PTSD). Thus, we find that the mental health crisis among COs is both worsening and unaffected by organizational variables like shift, weekly hours, and facility type. Additional research investigating this crisis is needed.
{"title":"Exploring organizational risk factors for health & wellness problems in correctional officers","authors":"Logan Lavender, N. Todak","doi":"10.1080/1478601X.2021.1999115","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/1478601X.2021.1999115","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Previous research has documented high rates of stress, PTSD, and other health and wellness problems in U.S. correctional officers (COs). In some studies, rates of mental health issues among COs surpassed those observed in combat-experienced veteran and police officer samples. Unfortunately, this crisis has not received much empirical attention. Drawing on a survey of COs working in Washington state (N = 420), we test whether facility and shift variables are related to CO stress, PTSD, and quality of life across four domains: physical health, mental health, social relationships, and physical environment. Few organizational factors were significantly related to health and wellness problems in COs. However, PTSD and stress levels were much higher in our sample than has been reported in past studies (e.g. 27% of our sample met the criteria for diagnosable PTSD). Thus, we find that the mental health crisis among COs is both worsening and unaffected by organizational variables like shift, weekly hours, and facility type. Additional research investigating this crisis is needed.","PeriodicalId":45877,"journal":{"name":"CRIMINAL JUSTICE STUDIES","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2021-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43925301","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-10-02DOI: 10.1080/1478601X.2021.1997277
R. Ricciardelli, M. S. Cassiano, Michael Adorjan, Meghan M. Mitchell
ABSTRACT Scholars and correctional officials have begun to recognize the association of correctional work with occupational stressors that deteriorate mental health and well-being. Yet, programs and policies to support prison staff as they navigate physical, emotional, and psychological challenges are limited, with scarce empirical evidence supporting their usefulness to employees. We examine the Advanced Mental Strength and Conditioning (AMStrength) program using semi-structured interviews with 70 correctional officers after they completed a year on the job. Among our findings, we highlight that 80% of participants have not used AMStrength since being their training during recruitment. However, AMStrength fulfills a vital role in promoting awareness, including self-awareness of mental health.
{"title":"AMStrength program in Canadian federal correctional services: correctional officers’ views and interpretations","authors":"R. Ricciardelli, M. S. Cassiano, Michael Adorjan, Meghan M. Mitchell","doi":"10.1080/1478601X.2021.1997277","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/1478601X.2021.1997277","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Scholars and correctional officials have begun to recognize the association of correctional work with occupational stressors that deteriorate mental health and well-being. Yet, programs and policies to support prison staff as they navigate physical, emotional, and psychological challenges are limited, with scarce empirical evidence supporting their usefulness to employees. We examine the Advanced Mental Strength and Conditioning (AMStrength) program using semi-structured interviews with 70 correctional officers after they completed a year on the job. Among our findings, we highlight that 80% of participants have not used AMStrength since being their training during recruitment. However, AMStrength fulfills a vital role in promoting awareness, including self-awareness of mental health.","PeriodicalId":45877,"journal":{"name":"CRIMINAL JUSTICE STUDIES","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2021-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49211215","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-10-02DOI: 10.1080/1478601X.2021.1999117
Jessie Harney, Amy E. Lerman
ABSTRACT Correctional officers are at high risk of exposure to workplace violence, and many report experiencing severe mental health symptoms, including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression. Despite growing concern for these issues, however, we do not yet fully understand the coping mechanisms correctional officers employ to manage work-related stress, or how coping mechanisms affect workplace outcomes. To address these questions, we utilize original survey data about California correctional officers. We draw on the Stress Process Paradigm to model the relationship between exposure to violence and mental health, the impact of occupational stress on the development of coping mechanisms, and whether differential coping mechanism utilization impacts officers’ levels of cynicism and desire to leave corrections. Our findings suggest that emotion-focused coping (e.g. having someone to talk to) is associated with lower intention to leave correctional employment, while the opposite is true for avoidant coping (i.e. alcohol abuse). These insights shed light on the problem of officer turnover and retention, and provide potential direction to policymakers and practitioners seeking to create an effective, healthy workforce.
{"title":"Clarifying the role of officer coping on turnover in corrections","authors":"Jessie Harney, Amy E. Lerman","doi":"10.1080/1478601X.2021.1999117","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/1478601X.2021.1999117","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Correctional officers are at high risk of exposure to workplace violence, and many report experiencing severe mental health symptoms, including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression. Despite growing concern for these issues, however, we do not yet fully understand the coping mechanisms correctional officers employ to manage work-related stress, or how coping mechanisms affect workplace outcomes. To address these questions, we utilize original survey data about California correctional officers. We draw on the Stress Process Paradigm to model the relationship between exposure to violence and mental health, the impact of occupational stress on the development of coping mechanisms, and whether differential coping mechanism utilization impacts officers’ levels of cynicism and desire to leave corrections. Our findings suggest that emotion-focused coping (e.g. having someone to talk to) is associated with lower intention to leave correctional employment, while the opposite is true for avoidant coping (i.e. alcohol abuse). These insights shed light on the problem of officer turnover and retention, and provide potential direction to policymakers and practitioners seeking to create an effective, healthy workforce.","PeriodicalId":45877,"journal":{"name":"CRIMINAL JUSTICE STUDIES","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2021-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42235689","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-10-02DOI: 10.1080/1478601X.2021.1996548
Hayden P. Smith
During 2021 the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) approached me to conduct a webinar on the topic of ‘Promoting Wellness and Resiliency in Correctional Staff’. My approach when conducting and presenting research on the health of correctional staff centers on maximizing partnerships between academics and practitioners, with the goal of providing conceptual frameworks that can drive real-world programs and policies (Smith, 2021; Smith, Power, Usher, Sitren, & Slade, 2019; Smith & Ferdik, 2016). As such, it was an easy decision to build on an existing partnership between me (an academic) and a very experienced and knowledgeable practitioner: Ms. Karin Ho (Division Director, Victim Services & CISM Program: Critical Incident Stress Management, South Carolina Department of Corrections). This webinar was initiated and developed by Mr. Scott Richards, Correctional Program Specialist, Prisons Division, and his team at the National Institute of Corrections (NIC). As the webinar date approached the National Institute of Corrections contacted the presenters to inform us that the audience response was unprecedented, and they could not add more participants due to a bandwidth limitations. The webinar was a success, and the day of live broadcast there were over 1,200 participants, from all US states and ranging from academics to practitioners from institutional and community corrections of all ranks and working in diverse settings. Participants continue to view the recorded video posted at the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) and email the team with follow-up questions, comments, and seeking more information (Smith & Ho, 2021). The webinar can be found here: https://nicic.gov/promotingwellness-and-resiliency-correctional-staff The experience was very gratifying but also sobering. These practitioners working in our jails, prisons, probation, parole, juvenile detention, and other community settings expressed a strong need for any guidance or information on how to support the wellness and resiliency of correctional staff. While I was honored to provide conceptual and research-based suggestions and Ms. Karin Ho detailed real-world programs for staff wellness, it was clear that we were communicating with an audience who were seeking practical solutions while struggling to work in the midst of a staffing-health crisis. The NIC webinar was the impetus for this special edition on correctional officer wellness and resiliency. The conversation about the health and wellbeing of correctional officers is reflective of recent social changes. While antiquated textbooks focus on the punitive ‘get tough on crime’ incarceration policies that led to overcrowded jails and prisons, a more contemporary perspective recognizes that this narrative is no longer accurate. Two factors in particular, incarceration rates and unemployment, have created a new reality for the criminal justice system. With regard to the former, the United States has experienced declining incarcerat
{"title":"Introduction to the special edition on correctional officer wellness and resiliency","authors":"Hayden P. Smith","doi":"10.1080/1478601X.2021.1996548","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/1478601X.2021.1996548","url":null,"abstract":"During 2021 the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) approached me to conduct a webinar on the topic of ‘Promoting Wellness and Resiliency in Correctional Staff’. My approach when conducting and presenting research on the health of correctional staff centers on maximizing partnerships between academics and practitioners, with the goal of providing conceptual frameworks that can drive real-world programs and policies (Smith, 2021; Smith, Power, Usher, Sitren, & Slade, 2019; Smith & Ferdik, 2016). As such, it was an easy decision to build on an existing partnership between me (an academic) and a very experienced and knowledgeable practitioner: Ms. Karin Ho (Division Director, Victim Services & CISM Program: Critical Incident Stress Management, South Carolina Department of Corrections). This webinar was initiated and developed by Mr. Scott Richards, Correctional Program Specialist, Prisons Division, and his team at the National Institute of Corrections (NIC). As the webinar date approached the National Institute of Corrections contacted the presenters to inform us that the audience response was unprecedented, and they could not add more participants due to a bandwidth limitations. The webinar was a success, and the day of live broadcast there were over 1,200 participants, from all US states and ranging from academics to practitioners from institutional and community corrections of all ranks and working in diverse settings. Participants continue to view the recorded video posted at the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) and email the team with follow-up questions, comments, and seeking more information (Smith & Ho, 2021). The webinar can be found here: https://nicic.gov/promotingwellness-and-resiliency-correctional-staff The experience was very gratifying but also sobering. These practitioners working in our jails, prisons, probation, parole, juvenile detention, and other community settings expressed a strong need for any guidance or information on how to support the wellness and resiliency of correctional staff. While I was honored to provide conceptual and research-based suggestions and Ms. Karin Ho detailed real-world programs for staff wellness, it was clear that we were communicating with an audience who were seeking practical solutions while struggling to work in the midst of a staffing-health crisis. The NIC webinar was the impetus for this special edition on correctional officer wellness and resiliency. The conversation about the health and wellbeing of correctional officers is reflective of recent social changes. While antiquated textbooks focus on the punitive ‘get tough on crime’ incarceration policies that led to overcrowded jails and prisons, a more contemporary perspective recognizes that this narrative is no longer accurate. Two factors in particular, incarceration rates and unemployment, have created a new reality for the criminal justice system. With regard to the former, the United States has experienced declining incarcerat","PeriodicalId":45877,"journal":{"name":"CRIMINAL JUSTICE STUDIES","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2021-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45817107","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-09-21DOI: 10.1080/1478601X.2021.1978992
Alyssa M. Sheeran, Victoria A. Knoche, Tina L. Freiburger
ABSTRACT Adult drug treatment courts provide an alternative to incarceration that focuses on the treatment of substance abuse issues and other psychological dysfunctions. The literature thus far has generally indicated that drug courts are significantly more effective than other criminal justice interventions, yet rates of drug court effectiveness vary substantially across jurisdictions. The current study was able to peek inside the “black box” of drug treatment courts to understand which characteristics might be critical to the success of these courts. An evaluation of the Milwaukee County Adult Drug Treatment Court in Wisconsin revealed that age at intake, race and ethnicity, prior convictions, primary drug of choice, and custody sanctions were all significantly associated with an individual’s likelihood of graduating the drug court. The inclusion of these findings to the literature offers an additional examination of drug court effectiveness and further assists in providing a more comprehensive understanding of the factors that predict drug court graduation. As a result, the health of the individual, the community, and the justice system at large can be significantly improved.
{"title":"Identifying predictors of drug court graduation: findings from an evaluation of the Milwaukee County Adult Drug Treatment Court","authors":"Alyssa M. Sheeran, Victoria A. Knoche, Tina L. Freiburger","doi":"10.1080/1478601X.2021.1978992","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/1478601X.2021.1978992","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Adult drug treatment courts provide an alternative to incarceration that focuses on the treatment of substance abuse issues and other psychological dysfunctions. The literature thus far has generally indicated that drug courts are significantly more effective than other criminal justice interventions, yet rates of drug court effectiveness vary substantially across jurisdictions. The current study was able to peek inside the “black box” of drug treatment courts to understand which characteristics might be critical to the success of these courts. An evaluation of the Milwaukee County Adult Drug Treatment Court in Wisconsin revealed that age at intake, race and ethnicity, prior convictions, primary drug of choice, and custody sanctions were all significantly associated with an individual’s likelihood of graduating the drug court. The inclusion of these findings to the literature offers an additional examination of drug court effectiveness and further assists in providing a more comprehensive understanding of the factors that predict drug court graduation. As a result, the health of the individual, the community, and the justice system at large can be significantly improved.","PeriodicalId":45877,"journal":{"name":"CRIMINAL JUSTICE STUDIES","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2021-09-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43596298","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-09-21DOI: 10.1080/1478601X.2021.1981891
Daniel K. Pryce, R. Gainey
ABSTRACT Measuring public opinions about the police is a mainstay of police–community relations because the police need to know how well they are doing in the communities they serve. To understand public attitudes toward the police in the aftermath of George’s Floyd’s killing, we analyze data from residents across seven cities located in Southeast Virginia. We find that, compared to whites and other racial groups, blacks were more likely to report both personal and vicarious experiences and were less trusting of and satisfied with police. In addition, blacks were less likely than whites and other racial groups to support the police’s handling of peaceful protests in the wake of George Floyd’s death. Other demographic differences are found and presented in light of prior research on public attitudes toward the police. The implications of our findings for improved police–community interactions, policy, and future research are discussed.
{"title":"Race differences in public satisfaction with and trust in the local police in the context of george floyd protests: an analysis of residents’ experiences and attitudes","authors":"Daniel K. Pryce, R. Gainey","doi":"10.1080/1478601X.2021.1981891","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/1478601X.2021.1981891","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Measuring public opinions about the police is a mainstay of police–community relations because the police need to know how well they are doing in the communities they serve. To understand public attitudes toward the police in the aftermath of George’s Floyd’s killing, we analyze data from residents across seven cities located in Southeast Virginia. We find that, compared to whites and other racial groups, blacks were more likely to report both personal and vicarious experiences and were less trusting of and satisfied with police. In addition, blacks were less likely than whites and other racial groups to support the police’s handling of peaceful protests in the wake of George Floyd’s death. Other demographic differences are found and presented in light of prior research on public attitudes toward the police. The implications of our findings for improved police–community interactions, policy, and future research are discussed.","PeriodicalId":45877,"journal":{"name":"CRIMINAL JUSTICE STUDIES","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2021-09-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43215082","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-08-11DOI: 10.1080/1478601X.2021.1963242
Brandon C. Dulisse, Chivon H. Fitch, Megan Travers
ABSTRACT Since the early 1990s, federal and state legislation restricting the residency options of convicted sex offenders has been justified on the basis of protecting vulnerable populations while deterring future criminal opportunities. While many of these policies maintain public support, recent empirical inquiries have begun to question their effectiveness and appropriateness. Using data from registered sex offenders’ residences in three mid-western states, we explore the effect residency restriction laws have on preventing sex offenders from residing within proximal distance to elementary schools. Preliminary results indicate that sex offenders on average do not reside significantly closer or farther away from elementary schools in states with different proximal distance requirements, but that sex offenders reside significantly closer to elementary schools in neighborhoods with lower socioeconomic status. We conclude that residency restriction policies for sex offenders should be reconsidered in light of these results.
{"title":"Exploring the effectiveness of school-proximity residency restrictions for sex offenders","authors":"Brandon C. Dulisse, Chivon H. Fitch, Megan Travers","doi":"10.1080/1478601X.2021.1963242","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/1478601X.2021.1963242","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Since the early 1990s, federal and state legislation restricting the residency options of convicted sex offenders has been justified on the basis of protecting vulnerable populations while deterring future criminal opportunities. While many of these policies maintain public support, recent empirical inquiries have begun to question their effectiveness and appropriateness. Using data from registered sex offenders’ residences in three mid-western states, we explore the effect residency restriction laws have on preventing sex offenders from residing within proximal distance to elementary schools. Preliminary results indicate that sex offenders on average do not reside significantly closer or farther away from elementary schools in states with different proximal distance requirements, but that sex offenders reside significantly closer to elementary schools in neighborhoods with lower socioeconomic status. We conclude that residency restriction policies for sex offenders should be reconsidered in light of these results.","PeriodicalId":45877,"journal":{"name":"CRIMINAL JUSTICE STUDIES","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2021-08-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49593374","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-07-03DOI: 10.1080/1478601X.2021.1966628
Rashaan A. DeShay, Lynne M. Vieraitis, Heith Copes, Zachary A. Powell, J. Medrano
ABSTRACT The stigma associated with incarceration is well documented. Less attention has been directed to the impact of this stigma on those in romantic relationships with partners who are incarcerated (i.e. courtesy stigma). Using semi-structured interviews with 12 women involved in romantic relationships with men who were incarcerated, we explore whether they experienced courtesy stigma and if so, how they managed it. The women said they experienced courtesy stigma from others, including friends and family. In response, participants either avoided interactions with those they thought would judge them (by withholding information or severing ties) or by fully embracing the relationships (pointing to their benefits). These management techniques allowed participants to have a sense of agency in their decisions. Considering the importance of healthy relationships in promoting desistance from criminal behavior, examining the management of courtesy stigma from the perspective of the un-incarcerated partner may increase our understanding of these relationships on reentry.
{"title":"Managing courtesy stigma: women and relationships with men in prison","authors":"Rashaan A. DeShay, Lynne M. Vieraitis, Heith Copes, Zachary A. Powell, J. Medrano","doi":"10.1080/1478601X.2021.1966628","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/1478601X.2021.1966628","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT The stigma associated with incarceration is well documented. Less attention has been directed to the impact of this stigma on those in romantic relationships with partners who are incarcerated (i.e. courtesy stigma). Using semi-structured interviews with 12 women involved in romantic relationships with men who were incarcerated, we explore whether they experienced courtesy stigma and if so, how they managed it. The women said they experienced courtesy stigma from others, including friends and family. In response, participants either avoided interactions with those they thought would judge them (by withholding information or severing ties) or by fully embracing the relationships (pointing to their benefits). These management techniques allowed participants to have a sense of agency in their decisions. Considering the importance of healthy relationships in promoting desistance from criminal behavior, examining the management of courtesy stigma from the perspective of the un-incarcerated partner may increase our understanding of these relationships on reentry.","PeriodicalId":45877,"journal":{"name":"CRIMINAL JUSTICE STUDIES","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2021-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46667345","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-07-03DOI: 10.1080/1478601X.2021.1965286
Shannon B. Harper, Angela R. Gover, Isabella K. Mages
ABSTRACT Research suggests that women of color (WOC) survivors are often dissatisfied with police response to their calls for intimate partner violence (IPV) assistance due to disrespectful, apathetic, and rude treatment. A strong empirical relationship exists between severity of abuse and police help-seeking among WOC survivors more generally; however, scarce literature exists examining the nature of interactions between officers and WOC survivors during life-threatening abuse situations. This study contributes to the literature by examining WOC's satisfaction with law enforcement response within an interpersonal justice framework, and how survivors' “severe abuse contexts” contribute to police help-seeking decision-making. In-depth interviews were conducted with high-risk WOC IPV survivors. Results revealed two themes that describe participants’ perceptions of police treatment as dismissive/lethargic (T1) and hostile/callous (T2). Findings suggest that unfair treatment from officers has dangerous implications for ongoing survivor safety among WOC. Non-carceral IPV prevention and survivor safety enhancement perspectives are also discussed.
{"title":"Interactions between law enforcement and women of color at high-risk of lethal intimate partner violence: An application of interpersonal justice theory","authors":"Shannon B. Harper, Angela R. Gover, Isabella K. Mages","doi":"10.1080/1478601X.2021.1965286","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/1478601X.2021.1965286","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Research suggests that women of color (WOC) survivors are often dissatisfied with police response to their calls for intimate partner violence (IPV) assistance due to disrespectful, apathetic, and rude treatment. A strong empirical relationship exists between severity of abuse and police help-seeking among WOC survivors more generally; however, scarce literature exists examining the nature of interactions between officers and WOC survivors during life-threatening abuse situations. This study contributes to the literature by examining WOC's satisfaction with law enforcement response within an interpersonal justice framework, and how survivors' “severe abuse contexts” contribute to police help-seeking decision-making. In-depth interviews were conducted with high-risk WOC IPV survivors. Results revealed two themes that describe participants’ perceptions of police treatment as dismissive/lethargic (T1) and hostile/callous (T2). Findings suggest that unfair treatment from officers has dangerous implications for ongoing survivor safety among WOC. Non-carceral IPV prevention and survivor safety enhancement perspectives are also discussed.","PeriodicalId":45877,"journal":{"name":"CRIMINAL JUSTICE STUDIES","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2021-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45254352","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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