Families Of Offenders Research Articles

Me? A criminal? Relationships with offenders and implicit criminal associations

The collateral consequences of criminal justice involvement on friends and families of offenders is well documented in criminological literature. One less-understood consequence is the impact of these relationships and experiences on the cognitions of friends and family members of offenders. This study examines implicit, unconscious, and explicit, or conscious cognitions of non-criminal individuals who have personal relationships with offenders versus those who do not. Moreover, the effects of reminders of past experiences, nature of the relationship, and closeness with the offender were examined. The Implicit and Explicit Criminal-Self Association Tests were used to measure implicit and explicit criminal-self associations. Results showed that those who were close with an offender and were reminded of a past experience with an offender exhibited stronger implicit associations with the group criminal in comparison to those who were not close with an offender. This research has implications for understanding the effects of relationships with offenders for non-criminal individuals.

The Relationship Between Mental Illnesses and Aggressive Behavior

As criminal behaviors and crime rates continue to rise, the sphere of influence wielded by criminals also expands. This surge in criminal activity not only inflicts enduring harm upon the victims and the families of offenders but also triggers a pervasive questioning of public security regulations within society. Consequently, the imperative study of the underlying factors contributing to criminal behavior has become both crucial and indispensable. Taking a broad perspective, it is evident that individuals, families, and society as a whole play significant roles in shaping the root causes of criminality. In this study, special attention is drawn to the profound impact of mental illness on criminal behavior. This study aims to synthesize existing research, focusing on the influence of three relatively common mental illnesses—schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, and antisocial personality disorder—on criminal behaviors. In this study, we will try to decelop in-depth knowledge of intricate between mental illness and criminality. Through this study, we seek to gain a deeper understanding of the intricate interplay between mental health and criminality.

Implementing of Restorative Justice to Build the Criminal Justice System in Indonesia: A Study of the Batak Toba Justice System

The pursuit of fairness and harmony between the realization of rights and duties is a cornerstone of human progress. Restorative justice case resolution represents an endeavor to introduce a non-punitive procedure into Indonesia's criminal justice system as part of its ongoing effort to modernize its legal framework. Restorative justice focuses on healing criminal behavior's harm and shattered relationships. This study examined the feasibility of implementing restorative justice aspects into a national criminal justice system, gaining inspiration from the Toba Batak Indigenous People. The methodology was socio-legal. Dalihan Natolu is recognized as an alternative conflict settlement method for Toba Batak. The traditional leader mediates in this conflict resolution. By Batak customary law, the imposition of sanctions is decided by customary judges or kings. Dalihan Natolu then tells the culprit not to repeat his behavior. Dalihan Natolu involves offenders, victims, families of offenders and victims, and other parties in seeking a fair settlement that emphasizes repair above retribution. This helps Dalihan Natolu solve criminal concerns. In indigenous cultures, customary institutions convene the parties engaged in a crime to provide counsel and find solutions that do not harm or profit only one side. Justice is served, and the victim is not harmed.

Developing Attributes and Attribute-Levels for a Discrete-Choice Experiment: An Example for Interventions of Impulsive Violent Offenders.

Discrete-Choice Experiments (DCEs) are used to assess the strength of preferences and value of interventions, but researchers using the method have been criticised for failing to either undertake or publish the rigorous research for selecting the necessary attributes and levels. The aim of this study was to elicit attributes to inform a DCE to assess societal and offenders' preferences for, and value of, treatment of impulsive-violent offenders. In doing so, this paper thoroughly describes the process and methods used in developing the DCE attributes and levels. Four techniques were used to derive the final list of attributes and levels: (1) a narrative literature review to derive conceptual attributes; (2) seven focus group discussions (FGDs) comprising 25 participants including offenders and the general public and one in-depth interview with an offender's family member to generate contextual attributes; (3) priority-setting methods of voting and ranking to indicate participants' attributes of preference; (4) a Delphi method consensus exercise with 13 experts from the justice health space to generate the final list of attributes. Following the literature review and qualitative data collection, 23 attributes were refined to eight using the Delphi method. These were: treatment effectiveness, location and continuity of treatment, treatment type, treatment provider, voluntary participation, flexibility of appointments, treatment of co-morbidities and cost. Society and offenders identified similar characteristics of treatment programs as being important. The mixed methods approach described in this manuscript contributes to the existing limited methodological literature in DCE attribute development.

Proxy Punishment: Consequences of Informal Sanctions among Families of Offenders In Japan

This study demystifies the nature of societal reactions to crime in Japan and their consequences on the family members of those who have trouble with the law. Over a 20-month period in metropolitan areas in Japan, participant observation and in-depth interviews were conducted with 50 mothers, fathers, wives, and sisters of those who had broken the law. Major findings include the role that the media and criminal justice authorities play in triggering the informal labeling of offenders’ kin. Families’ strong ties to communities also rendered them particularly vulnerable to the effects of informal sanctions, even more so than offenders themselves. Finally, this study reveals ironies of Japan’s low crime rate and its use of informal sanctions, highlighting the fundamental importance of offender rehabilitation and reentry.

An examination of a cycle of coping with strain among registered citizens’ families

The consequences of sex offender laws for both registered sex offenders and their family members have been well documented. Rarely studied, however, are how sex offender families cope with these consequences over time, a problematic gap given the collateral stigmatization family members face by society and the important role they play in the desistance process for sex offenders. Using a strain perspective, the current research study used qualitative interviews with 38 sex offender family members to explore the type of coping strategies used by sex offender family members and the dynamic evolution of these strategies over time. Our findings provide practical implications for aiding registered sex offenders and their families in an effort to increase public safety.

FIRST THINGS FIRST: Rehabilitation starts with alternatives to prison

In its recent white paper, the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) takes on the big challenge of rehabilitating offenders. This represents a paradigm shift that will require a concerted effort, not only from DCS, but other departments, families of offenders and the public. Key among these will be the police and courts. Unless alternatives to imprisonment are pursued throughout the justice system, DCS will struggle to manage its workload, keeping rehabilitation out of reach.

Prisons, Families, and the 'Ripple Effect'

This discussion examines the challenges encountered by families of offenders and considers the emotional, social and financial cost that arises as a result of a family member's incarceration. Attention is drawn to the dynamics of intergenerational criminality. The role played by supportive families in the process of reintegration and the prevention of recidivism is highlighted, and significantly, the need for the state to acknowledge this key function. The paper is premised on the belief that prisons have a divisive effect upon families, that there is a need to minimize the use of imprisonment, which emphasizes a punitive treatment of offenders (and by extension, their families), and that the benefits of restorative justice will assist in curbing the 'ripple effect' of crime.

Relationship between Juvenile Sexual Offender's Family Environment and Sexual addiction, and Loneliness as a Mediating Variable.

Relationship between Juvenile Sexual Offender's Family Environment and Sexual addiction, and Loneliness as a Mediating Variable.

Relationship of Juvenile Sexual Offender's Family Environment, Loneliness, Sexual addiction and Victim Empathy

Relationship of Juvenile Sexual Offender's Family Environment, Loneliness, Sexual addiction and Victim Empathy

Recidivism among juvenile sex offenders after residential treatment

Recidivism after residential treatment for a sex offence was studied for 114 male adolescent juvenile sex offenders. The juveniles had been treated for an average period of two years and four months. The median time at risk after leaving the institution was nine years. Almost a third of the young men re-offended with a serious offence. Eleven % committed a sex offence; 27% committed a non-sexual violent offence; approximately a third of the respondents re-offended with a range of other acts; and 30% did not re-offend at all. Sexual recidivism appears to be related to the prior selection of a (very) young victim, and choice as a victim of a girl from outside the offender's family. Seventy % of sexual recidivism takes place during the first three years after discharge. Violent recidivism is linked with the offender's ethnicity, parental neglect, the quality of relationships with peers and classification by the institution as an opportunistic sex offender. We recommend greater differentiation in treatment offered, and improvement of follow-up provision.

Offenders with learning disabilities

Offenders with learning disabilities

Group Music Therapy with Women who have Experienced Intimate Partner Violence

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of group music therapy combined with other creative arts methods on the self-reported levels of anxiety, depression, and self-esteem in women who have experienced intimate partner violence. Assessments of dependent variables were made at entry, following the final session of the intervention, and 3 weeks later. Using a repeated measures design and post hoc analyses, participants (n = 7) reported a significant decrease in depression and a marginally significant decrease in anxiety. No significant effect was found for self-esteem. Most participants reported all interventions to be helpful and the series of sessions a positive experience. The findings suggest that active music therapy within a group context may be an effective intervention for ameliorating mood in women recovering from intimate partner violence. Intimate partner violence is one of the leading causes of injury and suffering for women in the United States today. The National Women's Health Information Center (2005) stated that intimate partner violence occurs when one person purposely causes either physical or mental harm to another, including physical abuse, psychological or emotional abuse, sexual assault, isolation, [or] controlling all of the victim's money, shelter, time, food, etc. Often, the violent person is a husband, former husband, boyfriend, or ex-boyfriend, but sometimes the abuser is female. Nationally, the U.S. Department of Justice (2003) reported that 691,710 incidences of nonfatal intimate partner violence occurred in 2001. A majority of these cases (85%) involved violence against women. In 2000, 1247 women and 440 men were murdered by an intimate. It should be noted that the actual number of incidences is expected to be larger than the number of reported incidences. Glicken and Sechrest (2003) estimated that the number of people who have experienced intimate partner violence may range anywhere between 1.8 to 4 million Americans per year. Intimate partner violence has become a major societal problem for people in all social, ethnic, and economic groups in the United States (Cassity & Theobold, 1990; Kakar, 1998; Wallace, 2002). Kakar stated that the effects of intimate partner violence on society include death, medical costs, mental health costs, loss in work productivity, property loss, law enforcement costs, shelter costs, foster care costs, criminal justice system costs, advocacy costs, offender's family's costs; birth defects; alcohol and substance abuse; decrease in selfesteem; fear of crime; and ultimately an acculturation to violence. Such a list does not even begin to address the disruption and devastation that intimate partner violence imposes on a personal level. Additionally, Forell and Mathews (2000) reasoned that intimate partner violence can escalate to murder and reported that one-third to one-half of all female homicide victims in the United States are killed by an intimate partner, most often after the woman leaves or decides to leave the relationship (p. 159). Group treatment has been an efficacious form of intervention chosen by shelter systems and therapists working to assist women who have experienced intimate partner violence (Dutton, 1992; Larance & Porter, 2004; Shostack, 2001; Walker, 1979). Shostack noted that many shelter systems utilize both group therapy and non-therapeutic group meetings as a means to convey information; promote peer support; and to address the feelings, attitudes, and behaviors of the residents. This type of work provides opportunities for peer feedback that supports the development of residents' assertiveness and determination. Larance and Porter stated that a supportive group environment can promote a redevelopment of a woman's social support system, feelings of trust, and promote the experience of empowerment. The creative arts therapies have been used to address needs of survivors of violence (Bass-Feld, 1994; Booker, 1999; Emerson & Shelton, 2001; Milliken, 2002). …

Drug Policy and Families

ABSTRACT This paper explores the consequences of drug policies, especially punitive criminal sanctions, for the families of offenders. Mandatory minimum sentences and certain legal developments have created substantial growth in the prison industry with a likely increase in the number and intensity of harms to drug offenders and their families. Negative outcomes include at-risk developmental pathways for children, uncertain quality of care and parenting, family dissolution, and weakened communities. The evidence suggests that punitive drug policies come at great social and economic cost with minimal benefits. Harm-reduction is offered as a framework for change in relation to drug offenders and their families. Recommendations for family preservation and sentencing reform are discussed.

Listening to the families of juvenile offenders: A North Queensland study

This article reports on a study of the families of juvenile offenders in Townsville, north Queensland. The experiences of four sets of parents are discussed in some detail. These accounts reflect the larger sample of 20 families. It is argued that in contrast to current widely held assumptions that equate juvenile crime with parental negligence the study shows that parents are in fact actively involved in attempts to curtail their children's offending. Such attempts may be less than fruitful in terms of preventing further offending, leading to a sense of resignation on the part of parents and other family members. However, indifference in the face of criminalisation and official intervention is rarely an option for the families concerned. The study examines the implications of the findings for social workers dealing with the families of offenders.

Uses of rational emotive behavior therapy with juvenile sex offenders

Juvenile sexual offenses appear to be on the rise. This contributes to harm and trauma to the victims and the community at large. For many years the major interest in sex offender treatment has been directed toward assessment and treatment of the adult offender in spite of the reported large proportion of all sex crimes committed by juveniles (Uniform Crime Reports, FBI, 1985). Our article addresses three uses of Rational-Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT): 1) in group and individual therapy, 2) in work with the offender's family, and 3) in staff training. The issues of the client's faulty learning and cognitive distortions is critical in the habilitation and rehabilitation process and may include such messages as: 1) I am powerless to control my sexual arousal, 2) I won't get caught if I am careful, 3) Masturbating about little kids is OK, 4) I need to feel better and when I am sexual with someone I feel better. This article will describe how the theory and practice of REBT (Ellis' 1984) is applied with juvenile sex offenders. A key feature is its use with the offending juvenile in the teaching of a rational belief system as well as ways to reduce emotional disturbances.

Radical Victimology: A Critique of the Concept of Victim in Traditional Victimology

Traditional victimology has not yet tapped the potential of radical criminology to assist in the explanation of social reactions to crime and crime victims. From the theoretical perspective of the radical framework it is possible to explore society's preference for truly innocent victims and the limited ability of the system to avenge them (i.e., through victim assistance programs). Other avenues of analysis from this perspective include the role of the victim in furthering the interests of police and prosecution agencies, as well as the interests of the media and capitalist business enterprises. A radical victimological approach can also be used to analyze the extended victimization of the offender's family by the criminal justice system.

Something That Works in Juvenile Justice

Recently, the state of North Carolina has supported a randomized experimental project designed to provide intensive supervision services for undisciplined youths (status offenders or youths referred to the courts for runaway, truant, or ungovernable behaviors) placed under the protective supervision of the juvenile courts. As compared to regular procedures for juvenile court protective supervision of status offenders, the Intensive Protective Supervision Project (IPSP) involves more extensive and proactive contact between the court counselor, the status offender, and the status offender's family. The essential idea of the IPSP is that through the intensive supervision and provision of professional services to status offenders it may be possible to decrease the rate of occurrence of additional status offenses and the likelihood that the youths will commit more serious delinquent offenses. Results from a statistical and field-based evalu ation of the IPSP experiment suggest that the project is quite successful in achieving its goals for those undisciplined youths who have not previously been charged with delinquent offenses.

Treating adolescent sexual offenders.

Treating adolescent sexual offenders.

Patterns of Homicide among Children

The population of 55 children arrested for homicide in Detroit, Michigan, for offenses perpetrated between 1977 and 1984 is analyzed in the context of their killings. Analyses include demographic and social characteristics of offenders and victims, the families of offenders, demographic and social relationships between offenders and victims, and circumstances of offense. Where feasible, comparisons are made with age-general populations of homicide offenders.