Correctional Center Research Articles

Recidivism among prisoners with severe mental disorders

IntroductionMental disorders are common among prison inmates, with a high rate of recidivism found among those with severe mental disorders. In Japan, the number of inmates with mental disorders has been increasing with the increasing rate of recidivism. Prisoners need an uninterrupted connection to post-release support to prevent them from being incarcerated again. This study identified inmates diagnosed with mental disorders whose recidivism had recently increased to investigate recidivism among inmates with severe mental disorders and the risk factors for reincarceration. MethodsThis study included 148 prisoners released from the Medical Correction Center in East Japan. Clinical diagnoses were coded using the World Health Organization's International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision. Risk factors focusing on the central eight items were categorized, and recidivism within 3 years of release was investigated. ResultOverall, the recidivism rate was 29.7%, with the risk of recidivism increasing by 170% in inmates with multiple incarcerations. A diagnosis of intellectual disability increased the risk of recidivism by 176%. Patients with schizophrenia were consistently less likely to recidivate than patients with other disorders. ConclusionIntellectual disability was identified as a risk factor for recidivism, as was multiple incarcerations. These prisoners may not be connected to medical and social services and thus may not be receiving appropriate assistance. Patients with schizophrenia might be more likely to be connected to medical care and receive support after release. Further research should be conducted using these findings to prevent recidivism among inmates with mental disorders.

COVID-19 Vaccine: A Right or Privilege for Nigerian Prison Inmates

Citizens are members of a particular country who, because of birth, registration, or application, are entitled to enjoy certain basic rights and privileges. Discrimination by reason of age, ethnicity, religious background, or liberty of any person should not be entertained at any level; hence, every citizen is to be treated equally in terms of the enjoyment of basic rights and privileges. The most important fundamental right to be enjoyed by a citizen is the right to life, mainly because a person needs to be alive to enjoy other rights and privileges as contained in the constitution. However, the right to life is not limited to the right not to take a person’s life, and rather it expands to the right to enjoy unhindered access to resources that will ensure good physical and mental well–being. Unfortunately, some countries are unable to ensure the enjoyment of these rights by all their citizens. In a bid to manage the limited resources, some persons are being discriminated against, one of which is inmates who are incarcerated and serving an imprisonment term. This act of discrimination was evidenced in 2020 during the COVID–19 pandemic when immediate preventive measures were taken across the country to curb the spread of the virus. It became a cause of concern whether inmates in correctional centres were equally carried along on these measures. This article will discuss the right to life of prisoners in Nigerian correctional centres as it relates to their unhindered right to health. Using the doctrinal and empirical method, this paper will identify the local and international instruments that provide for the enjoyment of the right to health of inmates, and particularly whether inmates were discriminated against in the exercise of the various preventive measures taken during the pandemic.

A multisite study of amphetamine use disorders, length of detention and readmission in rural jails

PurposeMost people admitted to jails present indications of substance use disorder, and methamphetamine use disorders (MUDs) have recently become the most prevalent in certain communities. Much of the research conducted with jail populations has focused on large urban facilities, despite them representing a small number of the nearly 3,000 correctional centers in the USA. This study aims to examine MUDs in a large multisite sample of adults admitted to rural jails in the USA to help inform better practices aimed at addressing these conditions.Design/methodology/approachInterviews were conducted with 525 adults ranging in age from 18 to 72 years within three rural detention centers within the USA using the Comprehensive Addictions and Psychological Evaluation-5. Retrospective records were extracted to assess relationships between Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders diagnostic classifications for MUDs, length of detention and jail admission over a 12-month period.FindingsResults indicate those who met diagnostic criteria for MUD were more likely to be charged with a drug-related offense, a more serious offense (i.e. felony) and also spend more time detained relative to those who did not receive a similar diagnosis. Multivariate regression analyses also demonstrated persons with MUD diagnoses were significantly more likely to be admitted to the detention center on multiple occasions compared to those without a diagnosis.Originality/valueEvidence from an understudied population supports the need to address MUDs among adults detained in rural jails. Proper diagnosis and linkage to care can enhance efforts to reduce the prevalence of these conditions.

A Versatile Prison Psychiatric Pharmacy Program

BackgroundBefore the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, 20% of the adult population in the United States experienced mental illness annually. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, 93% of countries have reported disruptions to mental health services. The demand for services is high whereas infrastructure and qualified professionals are appallingly low. Health care in the correctional setting is unique, where mental illness prevalence is double than that in the community. The intersection of policies and procedures and the beneficence plus nonmaleficence responsibility of health care professionals is exceptionally complex. Studies have shown the potential benefits of pharmacists following patients in chronic care psychiatry visits. ObjectivesAn inpatient psychiatric pharmacy clinic was launched to fill gaps to provide safe and up-to-date patient-centric services for more than 240 extremely psychiatrically ill inmate patients at the Federal Correctional Center Butner (FCC Butner), a Federal Bureau of Prisons medical center. MethodsThe inpatient psychiatric pharmacist practiced independently under a collaborative practice agreement and completed mental health clinical visits for a revolving portion of 240 inpatient mental health inmate patients at FCC Butner. The pharmacist provided ancillary services including completing movement disorder testing, monitoring narrow therapeutic index medication laboratory test results, and executing an antipsychotic psychoeducation meeting with other health care departments and inmate patients. ResultsNotably, 74% of patients monitored in the specialty program experienced stable or improved symptoms of depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. Adverse effects, particularly psychiatric-related movement disorders, were also more closely managed. Finally, 43% of the total inmate patient population who previously declined psychiatric medication treatment consented to begin treatment after participation in a pilot antipsychotic psychoeducation meeting. ConclusionThe inpatient psychiatric pharmacy program at FCC Butner is a dynamic program that has bolstered the facility’s health care mission. The services detailed in this article can be applied to other correctional environments that have a medical outpatient or inpatient presence.

OVERCROWDING IN CORRECTIONAL CENTRES AND COMMUNITY REINTEGRATION OF OFFENDERS: IMPLICATIONS FOR CORRECTIONAL OFFICIALS OF A FACILITY IN NORTH WEST PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA

As part of the rehabilitation of offenders, South Africa has emerged as one of the countries in the world that uses programmed reintegration of offenders into the communities. However, overcrowding in correctional facilities has implications for correctional officials' work in the reintegration of offender’s programmes. This paper discusses overcrowding at Rooigrond Correctional Centre in the North West Province in South Africa and the implications it has for the work of correctional officials at the facility. The study applied a qualitative approach and a descriptive research design to capture the experiences of the correctional officials on the implication of overcrowding on the reintegration of offenders. Using the quota sampling method and semi-structured face-to-face interviews, ten correctional officials of different ranks participated in the study. Thematic data analysis employed showed that overcrowding in a correctional facility affects negatively the reintegration programmes at Rooigrond Correctional Centre making the rehabilitation process difficult and less effective. To enable and facilitate the successful reintegration of offenders into the communities, the study makes significant recommendations for consideration by correctional officials.

Perceived legitimacy or dull compulsion? Assessing why incarcerated offenders comply with correctional rules

ABSTRACT Generally, research has shown that offenders’ compliance with correctional rules is motivated mainly by the belief that correction officers are legitimate and should be obeyed. There are also contentions that, in correctional settings with widespread violence and abuse, compliance may not necessarily be driven by the persuasion that correctional officers are legitimate but by feelings of endemic helplessness (a condition that is described as dull compulsion). We are uncertain whether such a claim holds true for the South African correctional setting. From a survey of participants from selected correctional centres in South Africa, this study has examined the factors that predict compliance behaviour among incarcerated offenders in South Africa. Findings indicate (among others) that perceived legitimacy, and not dull compulsion, is a predictor of compliance behaviour in the South African correctional setting. The implications of the findings are explicated.

Beyond type III Paprosky acetabular defects: are partial pelvic replacements with iliosacral fixation successful?

Supra-acetabular bone loss close beyond the sciatic notch is one of the most challenging defect types for stable anatomical reconstruction in revision arthroplasty. Using reconstruction strategies from tumour orthopaedic surgery, we adapted tricortical trans-iliosacral fixation options for custom-made implants in revision arthroplasty. The aim of the present study was to present the clinical and radiological results of this extraordinary pelvic defect reconstruction. Between 2016 and 2021, 10 patients with a custom-made pelvic construct using tricortical iliosacral fixation (see Fig.1) were included in the study. Follow-up was 34 (SD 10; range 15-49) months. Postoperatively CT scans evaluating the implant position were performed. Functional outcome and the clinical results were recorded. Implantation was possible as planned in all cases in 236 (SD 64: range 170-378) min. Correct centre of rotation (COR) reconstruction was possible in nine cases. One sacrum screw crossed a neuroforamen in one case without clinical symptoms. During the follow-up period, four further operations were required in two patients. There were no individual implant revisions or aseptic loosening recorded. The Harris Hip Score increased significantly from 27 Pts. to 67 Pts. with a mean improvement of 37 (p < 0.005). EQ-5D developed from 0.562 to 0.725 (p = 0.038) as a clear improvement in quality of life. Custom-made partial pelvis replacement with iliosacral fixation offers a safe solution in "beyond Paprosky type III defects" for hip revision arthroplasty. Due to meticulous planning, precise implantation with good clinical outcome can be achieved. Furthermore, the functional outcome and patient satisfaction increased significantly showing promising early results with a relatively low complication rate.

The Governance Reform In The Coaching Services Of Prisoners In The Correction Centers (A Study At The Sukamiskin Class I Correction Center)

In general, the problems of LAPAS in Indonesia are regarding overcapacity and facilities that are not up to standard. However, in Class 1 Sukamiskin LAPAS, among other problems, there are interesting problems to study after the reform. The purpose of this study was to analyze coaching services after governance reform was carried out at Class 1 Sukamiskin Correctional Institution. What improvements have occurred in coaching services at Class 1 Sukamiskin LAPAS need to be studied in more depth because coaching is a very important service. Some aspects of the coaching carried out in governance reform at Class 1 Sukamiskin prison are coaching in the form of spiritual activities, fulfillment of remission rights, assimilation, parole leave, parole, and leave before release, and sports activities. Governance reform at Class 1 Sukamiskin LAPAS was carried out through several effective stages. The success of governance reform in coaching services needs to be investigated because it is very important to know the implementation process. This research uses a descriptive qualitative method with a case study approach at Sukamiskin Class 1 LAPAS. Informants in this study were LAPAS leadership officials, LAPAS staff officers, prisoners and visitors. The results of this study are that there is an increase in coaching services in the form of spiritual activities, an increase in the fulfillment of remission rights, assimilation, parole leave, parole leave, and leave before being released online, the implementation of sports activities becomes more systematic and directed. The results of this study indicate that there is a positive impact from governance reform in Class 1 Sukamiskin LAPAS being able to realize an increase in coaching services through organizational structure changes and change management.

Airway injuries in pre and post-COVID-19 era: a preliminary epidemiologic investigation in our center.

Tracheal stenosis and tracheo-esophageal fistulas are serious but rare complications of prolonged invasive mechanical ventilation. Tracheal resection with end-to-end anastomosis and endoscopic procedure are the options of care in the treatment of tracheal injuries. Tracheal stenosis could be iatrogenic, associated with tracheal tumors, or idiopathic. Tracheo-esophageal fistula may be congenital or acquired; in adults about half of the cases are secondary to malignancies. We performed a retrospective study of all the patients referred to our center between 2013 and 2022, with diagnosis of benign or malign tracheal stenosis or tracheo-esophageal fistulas due to benign or malign airway injury, undergoing tracheal surgery. Patients are divided in two temporal cohorts: cohort X if treated before SARS-CoV-2 pandemic (from 2013 to 2019) and cohort Y if treated during and after SARS-CoV-2 pandemic (from 2020 to 2022). From the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak, we experienced an unprecedented increase in the incidence of TEF and TS. In addition, based on our data, results show less variability for TS etiology, mainly iatrogenic, an increase of 10 years in median age and an inversion of trend regarding the sex of patients. The standard of care for definitive treatment of TS is tracheal resection and end-to-end anastomosis. Literature shows a high success rate (83-97%) and low mortality (0-5%) following surgery in specialized centers with experience. Management of tracheal complication after prolonged MV is still challenging. An adequate clinical and radiological follow-up should be performed in patients treated with prolonged MV in order to diagnose any tracheal lesions in the subclinical phase and to choose the correct strategy, center and time to treat it.

Coping strategies of the incarcerated during the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review protocol of quantitative and qualitative evidence

IntroductionTo reduce the transmission of COVID-19, regulations included the use of cloth masks, sanitising regularly, maintaining social distance and having minimal personal contact. COVID-19 affected many different groups of people...

Parental Factor as a Leverage For Adolescents' Criminal Behaviour In South-West, Nigeria

The study investigated the extent to which parental factor act as a leverage for adolescents’ criminal behaviour in South-West, Nigeria. Parental factor includes Parenting styles, Parental criminality, Parent educational achievement, Family type,, Family conflict, and Family financial capability. The Ex-post facto research design was adopted for the study. The simple random as well as purposive sampling technique was used to select adolescents in Juvenile correctional centres and Medium correctional services across South-West Nigeria. A total of 240 participants took part in the study, while data was collected through the responses from the respondents to the Adolescents Criminal Exposure Behaviour Questionnaire (ACEBQ). The data collected was analyzed using the Univariate Analysis of variance [UNIANOVA] at 0.05 level of significance. A significant F- value ( F=4.551:P &lt;0.0 5) The findings revealed that parental factor significantly disposed adolescents in Southwest Nigeria to criminal behaviours and exposure to correctional institutions. This study concluded that parents and guardians need to have firm grip on their wards, so as to prevent them from being negatively influenced by criminally inclined adolescents. The issue of family planning should also be taken seriously, if possible government should mandate couples not to have more than 2 children irrespective of their gender and teaching on dangers and consequences of divorce should be constituted into the counselling sessions for intending couples during their joining at the marriage registry. This is because it was revealed in the course of this research that majority of the adolescents inmates in the correctional institutions visited, were not from intact homes.

Implementation of nursing services in community corrections: A community-academic partnership.

Persons who are incarcerated (PWAI) suffer from a disproportionately higher number of physical and mental health conditions. While most jails and prisons provide onsite healthcare, community correctional centers often do not and accessing community healthcare is challenging due to insurance issues, inadequate health literacy, mistrust, and long waits for appointments. A registered nurse-led wellness clinic provides a viable solution to addressing the healthcare needs of PWAI in a community correctional setting. Through a community-academic partnership between a college of nursing and two community correctional transitional centers for men, a registered nurse (RN) faculty member and nursing students provide onsite healthcare. Services include, but are not limited to, acute and chronic disease management, case management, healthcare navigation, and health education. In the first 2 years of operation, there have been 587 new resident health assessments, 882 RN visits, and 152 group education sessions. RN visits have been primarily for: connection to resources (42.6%), medication management (15.6%), and acute conditions (12%). A RN-led wellness clinic is an innovative way to address health needs for PWAI. While this model of care focuses on an academic RN faculty practice at community correctional centers it could be replicated across community settings.

Trauma, Psychopathic Traits, and Resilience in Female Post-Prison Reentry Outcomes

A growing body of research has examined female psychopathy, yet gaps remain. Recent research has explored links between early trauma, psychopathic traits, and behavioral outcomes. Utilizing data collected as part of the evaluation of the Seattle Women’s Reentry (SWR) Initiative, this study investigates the relationship between early trauma and psychopathic traits in female post-prison reentry outcomes. The role of psychopathic traits as a protective resilience factor that moderates early trauma for women leaving prison and reentering the community is explored. Background information, survey data, and Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) scores are analyzed in relation to recidivism three-years post release for 85 women released from the Washington Corrections Center for Women (WCCW) in Washington State. Results indicated that the majority of the women in the study have early trauma backgrounds, PCL-R scores predict recidivism while trauma did not, and PCL-R scores did not moderate the relationship between trauma and recidivism. Results also found that PCL-R scores were associated with higher levels of self-esteem. Findings are consistent with prior research showing a link between psychopathic traits and recidivism but do not offer support for psychopathic traits as a moderating resilience protective factor between trauma and recidivism.

Assessment of Safety, Efficacy and Predictability of a Trifocal Intraocular Lens

Purpose: To evaluate the performance and the visual outcomes of Acrysof PanOptix trifocal IOL in terms of safety, efficacy, predictability and assessment of the quality of vision after implantation as regards; contrast sensitivity and ocular aberrations. Study Design: Quasi experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Dar el Ouyon hospital and Rowad Correction Center, Egypt, from September 2019 and January 2020. Methods: Forty eyes of twenty-one patients with senile cataract were included by convenient sampling. All eyes underwent phacoemulsification with IOL implantation. They were divided into two groups; group A included twenty eyes of eleven patients who were implanted AcrySof IQ PanOptix trifocal IOL Model TFNT00. Group B included twenty eyes of ten patients who were implanted monofocal AcrySof IOLs as a control group. A questionnaire was given to every patient after explaining to him\her the questions in Arabic, and clarifying the aim of evaluation. Results: Mean age was 56.6 ± 6.9 years in group A and 62.8 ± 7.1 years in group B, range 50 – 70 (P = 0.861). We found statistical significant difference between both groups with group A showing better post operative uncorrected distance, intermediate, near, and best corrected near visual acuity (P values were 0.001, 0.556, 0.001, 0.177, 0.001, 0.001 respectively). Group B showed statistically significant better post operative contrast sensitivity compared to group A. Conclusion: In this study, Acrysof PanOptix trifocal IOL showed excellent safety, efficacy, predictability and spectacle independence at all distances, However, contrast sensitivity was compromised in comparison to the monofocal group.

Interpretation of the Crime of Theft in the Light of the Theory of Rational Choice

Objectives: The study aimed to explain the crime of theft in the light of the theory of rational choice.&#x0D; Methods: the study used the social survey method to collect data from a sample of 181 inmates. They study conducted a field study on inmates in Jordan's correction and rehabilitation centers.&#x0D; Results: The study found a moderate effect of initial engagement, criminal incidents, and continuous indulgence in committing the crime of theft. The study also revealed statistically significant differences between the viewpoints of the study sample regarding the level of influence of initial engagement and the criminal incident based on gender and age.&#x0D; Conclusions: The study recommends the necessity to achieve social justice through the development of legal systems by the legislative authority. The study also recommends the importance of strengthening the complementary function of the police, as they are the competent authority for the protection of public and private property and the implementation of the law.

Influence of Radio Coverage of Conditions in Nigerian Correctional Centres on Port Harcourt Residents’ Perception of the Treatment of Inmates by Authorities

This study was predicated on the need to analyse the influence of radio coverage of conditions in Nigeria’s correctional centres on how Port Harcourt residents perceive how the authorities treat the inmates in these centres. With Agenda Setting and Selective Influence theories as base, the study formulated four research questions. The sample size for the study was 384 (survey) and 24 (content analysis) drawn from a population size of 756,000 and 24 respectively. Among other findings, the study showed that in terms of pattern, radio stations covered conditions in Nigerian Corrective Centres frequently and prominently in detailed fashion. The results also showed that the residents recorded a high level of listenership to the selected programmes and also had a high rate of encounter of issues relating to the corrective centres. Finally, findings showed that the radio coverage of the correctional centres influences how the residents perceive the treatment of the inmates by the authorities. The study recommended that radio stations in Rivers State should maintain the pattern of coverage of the correctional centres so as to lead to advocacy and generate public discourse leading to reforms in the sector.

Group Counseling as an Effort to Improve Effectiveness Implementation of Correction Client Personality Guidance (Case Study at West Jakarta Class 1 Penitentiary)

The Community Counselor is a functional official of the Correctional Center whose one of his duties is to carry out community guidance for Correctional Inmates who have served 2/3 of the total criminal period. This study discusses the group counseling method as an effort to increase the effectiveness of Community Counselors in guiding Correctional Inmates who have changed their status to Correctional Clients at the Correctional Center. This study uses a qualitative descriptive approach to the case study, by taking the object of research at the Class 1 West Jakarta Social Center. The results showed that the Group Counseling method had met the formal requirements, namely the formation of a group counseling implementation team. Group Counseling is also considered successful and effective in reducing anxiety and despair in Correctional Clients at the Class 1 Correctional Institution in West Jakarta.

Life after detention: challenges encountered by released juvenile offenders in Accra, Ghana

This article explores the challenges encountered by released juvenile offenders in Accra, employing the qualitative research method, using the phenomenological approach. Twelve young male adults released from the senior correctional center in Accra took part in interviews which analyzed the Interpretative Phenomenological Approach. The findings of the study reveal that the participants encountered educational and employment challenges. Factors that fueled these challenges include the lack of financial resources and stigma. The lack of state support for the reintegration of released juvenile offenders was also another major contributing factor, the study identified. The findings of this study reveal the need for implementing the Justice for Children policy in Ghana. Context-related reintegration processes for children in conflict with the law suitable for the African and the Ghanaian terrain must be incorporated into the juvenile justice administration. This move is to ensure that released juvenile offenders are cared for. The findings further call for more research into reintegration programs fit for the African context and curated to meet the needs of these released juvenile offenders.

Black Ephemera: The Crisis and Challenge of the Musical Archive

Black Ephemera: The Crisis and Challenge of the Musical Archive

Discrimination in inmates classification: Corrolate to disorder within correctional centres in Nigeria

Inequality precedes injustice, as seen in the class difference evident in Nigerian Correctional Centres due to the classification of inmates into high profile and ordinary profile. Therefore, this study examines the dual classification of inmates and its effects on order within correctional centres. Karl Marx’s theory of social conflict was adopted in explaining the differences in economic status and power among the inmates. The study adopts a phenomenological research design. Qualitative methods of data collection and analysis were used in this study. The study population was purposely selected to elicit responses to the research questions. 30 participants of different classifications relevant to the study were purposely selected and interviewed. Content analysis forms the basic method of data analysis as responses were quoted verbatim. Findings show that preferential treatment of highprofile inmates made ordinary inmates feel inferior, rebellious, and frustrated which led to riots or protests. Findings also show that highprofile inmates often break rules, instigate inmates against officers and often look down on officers based on their connection. The study concluded that the incarceration of highprofile inmates sends a message to the public that nobody is above the law and promotes conformity. Still, the special treatment of highprofile inmates says otherwise. It is recommended that no preferential treatment should be given to high-profile inmates to reduce protests and agitations by ordinary-profile inmates. The Government should ensure adequate welfare is provided for every inmate to reduce the show of class in the centres.