International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology最新文献

The present study examines a unique Cook Island approach to the rehabilitation and support of men, particularly those who have been convicted of criminal offending or who are experiencing other mental health or interpersonal difficulties. The culturally appropriate method of enabling change is offered via a community-based 24-hr mentoring system to support men. Run by men, the program is based on traditional Pacific ways of male mentoring in which one man helps another. This study examines the male mentoring program via qualitative analyses of semi-structured interviews. Seven men who had experienced mentoring and six mentors who deliver the program describe the mentoring system and their experiences. The study identifies several perceived benefits or themes in relation to the program. The unique Cook Islands' male mentoring program is viewed as beneficial in that it allows males to be open and supported to make change to be re-absorbed into the community, have healthy functioning, and reduce re-offending via the ongoing supportive care.

In this preliminary study, we investigated components of internal/external locus of control (LOC) in five case studies of intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetrators. Inter-category relationship analysis was used to explore the men's lived experiences through 10 in-depth interviews (two per case study). Findings revealed that (1) an external LOC enables violent individuals to indirectly express internal information by creating emotional distance, and (2) an internal LOC acts as a protective factor against violent behavior, especially when internal outcomes are attributed to internal factors. We suggest expanding the LOC measure and propose treatment strategies to enhance internal LOC among IPV perpetrators. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of factors influencing IPV perpetration and identifies potential turning points for intervention through externally focused narratives.

In the United States, high incarceration rates disproportionately affect marginalized communities, exacerbating challenges for disadvantaged families. This study explores the relationship between substance use and fatherhood attitudes among incarcerated fathers to inform interventions that promote familial well-being. Using data from the Multi-site Family Study on Incarceration (MFS-IP), the study analyzes the fatherhood attitudes and substance use history of 1,047 incarcerated fathers. Findings reveal a significant negative correlation between substance use and positive fatherhood attitudes. Additionally, child-father contact emerged as a key moderating factor in this relationship. Despite substance use histories, fathers generally held positive attitudes toward fatherhood, challenging societal stereotypes. These results highlight the need for tailored interventions during incarceration to address the unique needs of incarcerated fathers. The study contributes to a better understanding of the complex dynamics between fatherhood, incarceration, substance use, and father-child relationships, offering clinical insights and recommendations for future research and practice.

This paper describes the qualitative findings of a systematic literature review of research on patients on conditional discharge from forensic mental health services in England and Wales (part two of two). In total, 15 qualitative and five mixed-methods studies were included. A thematic synthesis of the findings produced familiar themes addressed in the wider desistance literature: tensions between agency and social structures; the importance of bonds to (in)formal social institutions and meaningful relationships; and the assessment of criminogenic risk factors such as substance use, antisocial peers and inadequate accommodation. We draw on the concepts of identity-desistance and relational-desistance and suggest that our findings encourage modifications or adaptations to desistance theories to better explain the experiences of forensic mental health patients (e.g., epistemic injustice, mental health stigma, shared decision-making). We discuss how insights from desistance theories can be used to support recovery in forensic mental health patients in practice.

This meta-analysis evaluated judicial interventions for juvenile delinquency certified by the Netherlands Youth Institute with "initial indications" for effectiveness. Ten (quasi-)experimental studies examining TOOLS4U, Multidimensional Family Therapy (MDFT), Multi Systemic Therapy (MST), Only You Decide who you Are (OYD), Responsive Social Skills Therapy (Re-SST), and Responsive Aggression Regulation Therapy (Re-ART) were synthesized. The overall effect was small, positive, and significant (g = 0.22; 95%CI: 0.02, 0.42). Responsive cognitive behavioral therapy (Re-SST and Re-ART) and the sports-based intervention OYD seem effective, whereas social skills training (TOOLS4U) and family-based systemic interventions (MDFT and MST) seem ineffective. However, effectiveness of family-based programs can possibly be enhanced if youth at medium-to-high risk for delinquency is treated for 6 months or longer, which aligns with the Risk-Need-Responsivity model. Better program delivery and general instead of specific offenses were associated with larger effects. We advocate a stronger evidence-based RNR approach to juvenile delinquency in the Netherlands.

Several European countries use income-based fines (i.e., day, unit, or structured fines). Under this system, a judge imposes a fine based on the offense's seriousness and the offender's income. Proponents argue that income-based fines promote equality in punishment and reduce unnecessary imprisonment resulting from fine defaults. However, opponents argue that income-based fines lead to inequality in punishment and are challenging to implement due to problems accessing an offender's assets. Based on these arguments, this study uses the Korean Institute of Criminology and Justice survey to explore Koreans' attitudes and factors relevant to supporting income-based fines (n = 1,063). The findings suggest that most respondents support income-based fines, primarily because income-based fines enhance punishment equality by accounting for or incorporating one's financial status.

This study investigates how deterministic and indeterministic perceptions influence criminal identity among adolescents involved in gangs. The research compares two distinct groups: (1) persistent offenders with ongoing gang involvement and criminal activities, and (2) desisting offenders with past gang involvement but no current participation. The analysis reveals two key findings. First, adolescents who developed indeterministic perceptions of gang lifestyle demonstrated increased capacity to question gang involvement and exhibited greater potential for gang disengagement. Second, persistent offenders who maintained deterministic perceptions of their gang involvement showed intensified criminal identity and continued delinquent behavior. We conclude that, first, processes of indeterministic perceptions assist in the development of identity transformation among adolescents at gangs and, consequently, in gang exit; second, process of free choice serves as opportunities for indeterministic perceptions and possible shift from a criminal lifestyle to a normal one.

Student mass fighting is prevalent in many cities in Indonesia, resulting in severe consequences such as physical injury and death. However, research on the neutralization techniques repeat offenders use is limited, though this information is vital for effective prevention. This study explores the neutralization techniques among student mass fighters in Indonesia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six student mass fighters across three correctional institutions using qualitative methods. The analysis revealed four neutralization techniques: denial of responsibility, denial of injury, denial of the victim, and appeal to higher loyalties. Participants rationalized that fighting was important for maintaining gang reputation and peer acceptance, and they often portrayed their involvement as a typical response. The study suggests implementing conflict resolution training and identifying at-risk students as part of a broader strategy to reduce student mass fighting and improve rehabilitation efforts.

This paper describes the quantitative findings of a systematic literature review of research on patients on conditional discharge from forensic mental health services in England and Wales (part one of two). Conditional discharge is a frequently used discharge option which allows forensic patients to receive care within the community, while subject to certain restrictions. In total, 23 quantitative and five mixed-methods studies were included. A synthesis of the quantitative findings identified factors associated with recall and recidivism, as well as positive outcomes for patients. Patients on conditional discharge showed lower violence and recidivism rates compared to those on absolute discharge. We develop hypothesized causal links between predictors and patient outcomes using a novel method of directed acyclic graphs (DAGs). The methods of this review, implications of findings, and directions for further research are discussed.

Evidence concerning specific paraphilia treatment effectiveness is limited. We present observation data of 127 men convicted of paraphilic sexual offenses who attended inpatient and outpatient follow-up treatment in Czechia. We collected participants' sociodemographic and treatment-related information, including STATIC-99R scores, and used proportional hazards models to analyze variables' effect on recidivism risk. Within the observation period, the general recidivism and sexual recidivism rates were 33.1% and 16.5%, respectively, and the sexual contact recidivism rate was 4.7%. The total STATIC-99 score for those who re-offended was 5.65 (SD = 2.11) and for those who did not was 3.98 (SD = 2.02). Recidivism risk was 7.52 times higher for those diagnosed with exhibitionism than with pedophilia, sadomasochism, or antisocial personality disorder. General recidivism is comparable to others' findings. We attribute the lower sexual contact recidivism rate to the combined effects of psychological and pharmacological treatment, and higher numbers of non-contact offenses to limited antidepressant use.