International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology最新文献

This quantitative study assessed the efficacy of a community-based rehabilitation program implemented by RISe Foundation Malta, designed to facilitate the reintegration of incarcerated individuals within the last 12 months before release. The intervention, grounded in the Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) Model and the Good Lives Model (GLM), aimed to mitigate recidivism by addressing dynamic risk factors associated with criminality. A retrospective analysis of 40 archived case files of program completers was conducted, extracting relevant data from reports to evaluate pre- and post-intervention changes. The data were analyzed using McNemar's test in SPSS. Results revealed a significant reduction in the presence of dynamic risk factors-such as issues related to social and psychological needs-following program completion. These findings provide empirical support for the application of the RNR and GLM models in community-based rehabilitation, demonstrating their potential to effectively reduce the propensity for reoffending.

Traumatic experiences are prevalent within the criminal justice system, disproportionately impacting individuals with mental illness. This study examines the trauma experiences of participants (n = 30) who reported incarceration trauma and had a mental health diagnosis prior to incarceration. Participants completed demographic questionnaires, trauma assessments, and interviews. Eighteen met criteria for incarceration-related PTSD or CPTSD, although only six had reported a previous PTSD diagnosis. Participants viewed traumatic experiences in an expansive way. Experiences included exposure to violence, loss of autonomy, subpar mental health care, bullying, social environment, uncertainty, poor living conditions, isolation, and humiliation. Participants recommended greater access to therapy, vocational and educational programming, personal advocates, healthcare staff, improved medication services, peer services, and religious support for addressing trauma. Participants also made suggestions related to preventative services, systemic changes, and community transition. Professionals serving currently or formerly incarcerated individuals should also understand how inequalities within the criminal justice system impact clients.

Substance use disorders are highly prevalent among offenders and are closely associated with increased rates of recidivism. This service evaluation assessed the effectiveness of compulsory forensic treatment for offenders with substance abuse in reducing recidivism. The study compared recidivism rates of 279 offenders who received mandated treatment under Section 64 of the German Criminal Code with those of a matched control group of 274 incarcerated individuals. An additional propensity score analysis confirmed the adequacy of the case-to-case matching. Over a mean follow-up of 6.5 years, the absolute risk reduction remained stable at around 16.5%, with recidivism rates at 7 years of 63.4% in the treatment group and 80.3% in the prisoner group. These findings attest to the effectiveness of compulsory addiction treatment in reducing recidivism compared to subjects who only serve a prison sentence, even though a substantial number (48%) of patients had been returned to prison but were still included in the treatment group at follow-up (intention-to-treat-analysis). The practical implications of these findings are discussed in light of recent legislative changes affecting the application of Section 64.

Challenging antisocial behaviour is central to probation practice. Non-confrontational challenge has been identified as the most effective approach. Using conversation analysis to examine 25 probation sessions, we detail four common interactional resources practitioners use to challenge people subject to probation in a non-confrontational way: formulations, questions, assessments and advice-giving. We consider how these resources function and how they impact the ongoing interaction, specifically in terms of engagement and shifting clients' perspectives. The findings here deepen the practical and theoretical understanding of this cornerstone of effective probation practice.

To examine the applicability of general strain theory (GST) for adolescent cyber deviance, this study examined how ineffective parenting practices affect adolescent cyber deviance, focusing on the mediating role of negative emotions. Using a South nationally representative and longitudinal Korean adolescent sample (n = 2,145), the current study employs Generalized Structural Equation Modeling (GSEM) to investigate the mediating role of depression and aggression between exposure to ineffective parenting practices (i.e., weak supervision, inconsistent parenting, and low warmth) and adolescent cyber deviance. The findings reveal that both depression and aggression significantly mediate the effects of exposure to ineffective parenting practices on adolescent cyber deviance. Based on these results, the theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Women are the fastest growing prison population, but little is known about the quality of maternal care for pregnant women in prison. In partnership with the Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC) Transitional Healthcare Team (THT), we developed a maternal standard of care (MSOC) audit tool to identify existing strengths and weaknesses and recommend evidence-based strategies for improvement. After creating the MSOC audit tool, we used it to audit 52 charts and conducted interviews of IDOC staff regarding maternal health care processes. Identified strengths include prenatal care, screening/treatment for sexually transmitted diseases and substance use disorders, contraception use, and health education. Mental and nutritional health care are areas of weakness. Staff motivation and community partnerships facilitate positive change, but a "punitive" culture, lack of resources, and communication challenges are barriers to change. Developing accountability tools and processes to promote maternal standards of care holds the potential to increase the health and wellbeing of mothers and their babies and improve re-integration into society.

The growing numbers of women with substance use disorder (SUD) and the resulting establishment of dedicated treatment and rehabilitation services have spawned a rich literature on the etiology of addiction among women, their therapy needs and the effectiveness of the treatments they receive. Nevertheless, very few studies have examined the punitive methods applied to women with SUD as part of their treatment. This study examines the positions of thirteen Israeli women with SUD regarding punishments meted out in closed therapeutic communities (TCs), and their experienced short- and long-term implications. The findings suggest ambivalence toward the harsh treatment and punishment in the communities, and to their negative repercussions for the clients' mental condition after their release. We conclude that the methods of treatment and punishment in these settings must be changed and based on the clients' strengths and empowerment. Punishments should be meted out in a proportional way, and as a last resource.

Integrating public health and public safety strategies is becoming increasingly crucial to maximize positive outcomes for justice-involved people. To date, there is little research exploring the integration of Community Health Workers (CHWs) into community supervision settings. This study utilizes a qualitative approach to explore staff and client (N = 12) perspectives on embedding a CHW into a gender-responsive probation supervision approach. Results from the thematic analysis of staff and clients' responses supported the integration of CHWs into community supervision. Emerging themes were grouped around staff perceptions of CHW's function and role as "navigators," creating a natural division of labor within the agency and operating as a safe resource for clients. Clients reported gaining additional personal and professional support through the embedded CHW within their supervision team. Results suggest that integrating public health professionals, particularly those with lived experience, can alleviate workload and decrease burnout while promoting client treatment needs.

This paper examines the post-release trajectories of Roma women through the lens of intersectionality, focusing on the compounded impacts of gender, ethnicity, socio-economic status, trauma, and health issues. The study highlights the unique challenges faced by Roma women upon their release from prison, emphasizing how these intersecting factors exacerbate their reintegration difficulties. Utilizing an ethnographic approach, the research captures the lived experiences of 15 Roma women in Romania, revealing critical insights into their struggles with motherhood, poverty, health care, stigma, and employment. The findings align with existing literature on the systemic barriers faced by minority women and underscore the need for culturally sensitive and gender-specific support programs. By applying Crenshaw's intersectionality framework, this study provides a nuanced understanding of the multidimensional oppression experienced by Roma women, advocating for more inclusive policies and interventions to improve their reintegration outcomes.

Women who use violence represent one of the fastest growing groups within the Australian prisoner population, including Aboriginal women who are more likely to be incarcerated than non-Aboriginal women for violent crimes. Many incarcerated women report histories of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and intimate partner violence. This exploratory study examines baseline data from a sample of 167 women in 3 Western Australia women's prisons enrolled in a gender-specific violent behavior program. It describes their exposure to intimate partner violence, head injury, and childhood adversities. Overall, 94% of women had experienced at least one childhood adversity (median 6), and 94% reported being a victim of physical violence by a current or former intimate partner. Aboriginal women were more likely than non-Aboriginal women to report that a family member was incarcerated as a child (p = .001). There was an association between an increased number of ACEs and head injury with a loss of consciousness (p = .008). Overall, these results present a harrowing picture of childhood exposure to adversity and violence in adulthood. Successful rehabilitation of women incarcerated for violent crimes should be cognizant of the histories of extreme violence endured by most of these women.