International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology最新文献

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.

The risk-need-responsivity (RNR) principles of correctional intervention provide guidelines for preventing future offenses, including sexual offenses. Although recidivism rates for sexual offending are generally low, some individuals do reoffend after release from prison. These individuals, often referred to as "sexual recidivists," typically pose a statistically higher recidivism risk and often have complex criminogenic needs. However, despite their extensive experience with the correctional system, little is known about what they believe makes therapeutic interventions motivating, engaging, and effective. The current study qualitatively examined the lived responsivity experiences of 23 incarcerated men in Norway who have recidivated sexually, focusing on their preferences and beliefs about therapeutic interventions. The findings revealed that valuable interventions are characterized by what I summarize as predictability and entirety, delivered by professional facilitators. Overall, the stigma of sexual offending, along with these men's repeated failures to desist, can create responsivity challenges, indicating the need for tailored efforts to support their desistance processes.

This explorative empirical study examined patterns of repeated severe prison violence within a cohort of 350 detainees admitted to the Dutch high-security "Violence Facility" for uncontrollably violent detainees, aiming to identify detainee characteristics predicting severe prison violence recidivism. Data were derived from judicial reports, imprisonment registrations, and criminal records. Proportional hazards regressions were used to assess prison violence recidivism risk up to 7.5 years post-discharge by examining detainee factors related to crime history, psychopathological diagnoses, and historical and clinical violence-related risk factors. Almost 30% of detainees were re-admitted to the Violence Facility, indicating recurrent severe prison violence. A pattern of rebelliousness and non-compliance emerged as a pre-existing and persistent trait. Additionally significant were recent social functioning, treatment motivation, and daytime activity engagement in predicting prison violence recidivism. Findings enhance understanding of the persistence and predictors of prison violence, yielding implications for risk management and violence prevention in correctional settings.

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.

We examined the feasibility and value of qualitatively analyzing the Attachment Story Completion Task (ASCT) to gain insights into attachment representations and intergenerational patterns in their parenting among incarcerated mothers in Türkiye (N = 79, M_age = 29.7, SD = 5.6) co-residing with their toddlers. Participants responded to five attachment-related, stress-inducing story-stems. Thematic analysis under a constructivist framework identified five themes: Parental Profiles, Desire for Protection and Care, Self-Blame and Longing for Childhood, Feeling of Being Unloved, and Redemption of Remorse Based on Observed Parenting. Narratives reflected a lack of secure-base support and sensitive caregiving in childhood, marked by emotional neglect, disengaged fathers, and in some cases, abuse. Many mothers expressed shame, longing for affection, and intergenerational parallels with their children, pointing to preoccupied attachment tendencies. Findings emphasize the need for trauma-informed, attachment-based interventions to support caregiving in prison nurseries and address intergenerational cycles of adversity.

This paper focuses on an innovative research initiative conducted within a Greek Detention Center. The project explores the paternal identity of incarcerated fathers with the primary objective of reinforcing their parental attitudes, skills, and practices. Despite the challenges imposed by incarceration, it is widely acknowledged that individuals can, and indeed should, continue to exercise their parental roles. This serves as the central premise of our research. A Detention Center in Greece was carefully selected through a process of feasibility sampling for this study, encompassing a participant group of 16 incarcerated fathers. The adoption of an action research methodology was deemed most appropriate for the execution of this parenting program. The research initiative comprised of 10 unique workshops, underpinned by principles of drama in education. These workshops provided the incarcerated fathers with opportunities to explore alternative methods of interaction with their children. The study concluded with a demonstrable enhancement in the paternal identity of the incarcerated fathers, affirming the initial research goals of the project. This provides evidence for the potential of such innovative approaches in supporting the development of stronger parental attitudes, skills, and practices among incarcerated parents.