International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology最新文献

Emerging adulthood is increasingly acknowledged as a discrete developmental stage with its own specific challenges. Identity formation is a major development task during emerging adulthood, yet its relationship to dynamic risk factors remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between identity diffusion and dynamic risk factors in a sample of young, incarcerated adults. The study involved 99 males between ages of 18 and 23, serving custodial sentences in four Lithuanian prisons. Zero-order correlations showed significant relationships between the length of the current sentence and psychopathology, and the number of previous sentencing occasions and dynamic risk factors. The results of hierarchical regression analysis revealed that identity diffusion explained dynamic risk factors above and beyond criminal history, protective factors, and psychopathology. These findings support a developmentally informed approach to correctional treatment, suggesting that interventions targeting identity diffusion could be suitable and beneficial for young, incarcerated adults. Limitations and future directions are discussed.

This study aims to determine the effect of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)-based psychoeducation on anger control and cognitive flexibility in individuals convicted of homicide. The study was completed with 47 individuals convicted of murder (23 control, 24 experimental) in the form of pretest-posttest control group experimental design. The experimental group received eight sessions of psychoeducation, while the control group received no intervention. The data was collected using the personal information form, controlled anger scale (CAS), and cognitive flexibility inventory (CFI). The data was analyzed by number, percentage distribution, and paired samples t-tests. After CBT-based psychoeducation, anger control and cognitive flexibility scores of the individuals in the experimental group increased compared to the individuals in the control group. In addition, it was determined that the difference between the pre-test and post-test total mean scores of CAS and CFI of the individuals in the experimental group was statistically significant (p < .05). In addition, it was determined that CBT-based psychoeducation had a "large" effect size of CAS (2.01) and CFI (1.06).

Through narrative interviews with 16 men leaving prison in Aotearoa New Zealand, the current research contributes to the literature on the role of employment in desistance by emphasising some of the barriers to (or limitations of) its desisting effects. In particular, the study emphasises structural constraints in the colonial setting of Aotearoa New Zealand, which can prevent Indigenous Māori men from obtaining stable, rewarding work. The study emphasises how different types of work and work environments can have varying effects on desistance, with some even encouraging reoffending and needing to be 'knifed off' to support the men's desistance journeys. It is argued that those leaving prison should not be encouraged into 'any' job, but rather work which provides adequate remuneration, satisfaction, and opportunities to build a positive identity to foster desistance. This may require the state, particularly the Department of Corrections, and employers to facilitate opportunities into suitable employment.

This work investigates the effects of pre-employment training on employment outcomes for previously incarcerated individuals using two theories developed in the discipline of economics: human capital theory and signaling theory. Human capital theory suggests that preemployment training increases wages and the likelihood of employment by building relevant skills that would improve productivity. Signaling theory asserts that the completion of pre-employment training acts as a signal of participant ability, as ability is known to the applicant but unknown to employers. Using the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, results support hypotheses related to signaling theory for individuals without a history of incarceration, but show no meaningful relationship between pre-employment training and employment outcomes for previously incarcerated individuals. Findings contribute to both economic and criminal justice theory and can be used to inform employment interventions for those with or without a history of incarceration.

Existing research has demonstrated the benefits of therapist self-disclosure (TSD) in strengthening therapeutic alliance. However, little is known about its effectiveness in the forensic context. The current research sought to address this gap by interviewing six Compassion Focused (CFT) therapists who had experience of working across a range of forensic settings. Results of an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) indicated that all participants advocated using TSD as a powerful therapeutic tool when working with forensic clients. However, there was a tension between balancing risk with the rewards of TSD, and participants expressed how the secure forensic environment was not conducive to its use. There was a consensus that TSD was more strongly discouraged with clients who had sexual convictions. For some, this had an impact on their own disclosures. Training on the function of TSD is recommended in forensic practice to address some of the environmental barriers to its implementation.

In 2021 an article was published that presented an art therapy in prisons program that emerged through a contractual partnership between a major state university and that state's Department of Corrections, funded by Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The program was charged to provide art therapy with youthful offenders to alleviate behavioral, emotional, and intellectual impediments to their education. The program began in the summer of 2019 with a 3-year contract for two full-time art therapists for four sites. Responses to the annual reports and subsequent changes and benefits to the targeted population resulted in the contract being revised in the summer of 2021 that expanded it considerably, to four full-time art therapists for nine prisons. This follow-up research article will delineate the successful efficacy of this program and the impactful changes instituted since its inception and expansion. In addition, this article will further examine the evolution in the data gathering process, specifically applying more distinct considerations needed to accurately examine the effectiveness of the program.

This study examines whether clinical need subgroups in forensic care have evolved over 20 years and explores differences in adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and assaultive behaviors across groups. This retrospective observational study used data from a hospital for men; Sample 1 (S1, N = 97) collected in 1990, and Sample 2 (S2, N = 176) in 2009-2012. A data-driven multiple correspondence analysis and a cluster analysis was conducted on S1 based on clinical needs, then applied to S2. ACEs and assault proportions within each cluster were compared using chi-square tests. Clusters identified: minimal needs (S1 = 23%, S2 = 20%); psychotic disorders (S1 = 19%, S2 = 17%); personality disorders (S1 = 21%, S2 = 22%); complex needs (S1 = 37%, S2 = 41%). Participants reporting ACEs (p = .004) and assault (p < .001) differed between clusters. The third cluster reported the highest ACEs (84.6%) and assault (61.5%).

The transition from prison to the community is often marked by challenges across multiple life domains, underscoring the need for a multidimensional perspective on reentry. Although such challenges can result in concerns about reentry during incarceration, little is known about these concerns. This study uses survey data from incarcerated individuals (N = 716) across fifteen Flemish and Brussels prisons (Belgium) to examine the heterogeneity of reentry concerns from a multidimensional perspective. A Latent Class Analysis identified five distinct patterns: unconcerned (24.80%), subsistence-concerned (39.09%), intrapersonal and discrimination-concerned (21.13%), all-around-concerned (9.64%), and social-support-concerned (5.34%) individuals. Bivariate analyses showed associations between class membership and educational level, nationality, intended country of residence post-release, homeownership, and psychological distress. These findings highlight the multidimensional and person-specific nature of reentry concerns, emphasizing the need for reintegration strategies that address both material and psychosocial needs. The identified classes offer clear entry points for more responsive, targeted interventions.

This study examines the factors motivating domestic violence perpetrators to participate in a voluntary-based intervention program. The experiences and determining factors around men's positive and negative responses to this invitation were examined through semi-structured interviews with professionals, observations, and reflexive notes during the first meeting with 29 men. Two major themes emerged from the thematic analysis: the factors making men more likely to attend the first meeting or resisting the group intervention. These findings can help professionals recognize the challenges of inviting perpetrators to interventions, especially in countries with insufficient laws for mandated domestic violence perpetrator programs. The paper discusses the importance during the first meeting of building rapport and trust and recognizing complex family histories to encourage voluntary attendance and intervention engagement.

This paper evaluates an established five-day drama project, designed, and delivered by a professional company, aimed to support the development of self-confidence of seven men with a history of substance misuse in a category C prison. The project involved creation of a safe space, improvised role-play, development of communication skills, and exploration of substance misuse, culminating in a performance. Audience members included prison staff, governors, healthcare staff, and prisoners. A mixed method approach was used to evaluate the project. Participant's pre and post project self-confidence and feelings of positivity were collated by a questionnaire compromising of closed questions and measured using a Likert scale. On the last day of the project qualitative interviews were conducted using open ended questions. The findings conclude that the use of drama can support development of self-confidence in men in prison. The project encouraged skills such as, commitment, communication, collaboration, and motivation enhancing the likelihood of rehabilitation and promoting crime abstinence. Further research with a larger sample size will identify if the changes the men experienced were statistically significant and maintained.