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.

The Good Lives Model (GLM) is increasingly applied with justice-involved populations, but little is known about its use with youth in correctional settings. To address this, we used a constructivist grounded theory approach and conducted semi-structured interviews with fifteen practitioners from two units of an open correctional facility recently introduced to the GLM. The study explored the social validity of the model through practitioners' perceptions of its goals, integration in daily practice, and perceived benefits, while also considering factors influencing implementation and understanding. Results highlight that while practitioners valued the supportive attitudes promoted by the GLM, certain theoretical foundations were not fully clear and required further explanation. The findings underline the need to adapt training programs to the specific realities of juvenile correctional contexts. Emphasis should be placed on thorough practitioner preparation and continuous professional support to strengthen GLM practices and foster sustainable application in youth justice settings.

The opioid crisis continues to impact millions across the United States, with women facing unique challenges in both the development of opioid use disorder (OUD) and the pursuit of recovery. This study explores justice-involved women's experiences in sober living homes (SLHs), examining the organizational, societal, individual, and behavioral health factors influencing their recovery journeys. Through in-depth interviews and focus groups, the study found that many women were first introduced to opioids through legitimate medical prescriptions and faced significant barriers to accessing and sustaining treatment. Challenges such as limited treatment availability, stigma, particularly for pregnant and parenting women, unstable housing, and unaddressed trauma were common themes. Despite these obstacles, participants emphasized the critical role of sober living homes in providing structure, support, and opportunities for rebuilding their lives. The findings underscore the need for expanded access to women-centered recovery housing for justice-involved women and the integration of trauma-informed care into treatment programs.

This study investigates the mechanisms of correctional adjustment among male incarcerated individuals in Taiwan, conceptualized across cognitive (criminal attitudes, prisonization) and emotional (depressive symptoms) domains. Data were drawn from 436 inmates across 27 correctional facilities, and structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to analyze the relationships among incarceration-related stressors, locus of control (LOC), and coping strategies. Results show that incarceration-related stressors are strongly associated with maladaptive cognitive patterns and emotional distress. LOC serves as a central mediator, influencing both coping and adjustment outcomes, while coping strategies further mediate the effect of LOC on adjustment. These findings corroborate Western theories while extending them to an East Asian context, highlighting the importance of culturally sensitive models of prison adjustment. The study also provides a historical baseline for evaluating the impact of Taiwan's 2020 correctional reforms and offers insights for future comparative research on inmate well-being and institutional adaptation.

The links between trauma and poorer physical health and psychological well-being in adulthood are now well established. Research shows levels of trauma are especially high amongst those who are incarcerated although evidence on what works to help this group is limited. To examine the effectiveness and acceptability of participation in a new brief, structured group intervention in fostering stabilization through reducing the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and improving mental health in male inmates who have experienced trauma. Participants completed questionnaire measures before and after treatment and provided feedback via semi structured interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed at the group and individual level and qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. At the group level, participants showed a significant improvement in scores for PTSD, anxiety and general mental health. Examination of individual scores showed reliable and clinically meaningful change for some individuals in trauma and mental health symptoms with little change observed for wellbeing and resilience. Participants feedback was generally positive with suggestions for future changes. Engaging in a brief group-based trauma intervention was acceptable to participants and offered significant improvements mental health and PTSD for some incarcerated individuals who have experienced trauma. This intervention may provide a cost effective and resource light approach to phase 1 PTSD treatment ahead of phase 2 treatment. It would be valuable for future research to develop understanding on who the intervention is most effective for.