Male Prisoners Research Articles

Selection And CBT Treatment Pilot Program Final Evaluation Using IORNS in Macedonian Male Prison Population

The treatment or the resocialization is the most important part of the prison sentence which methods can be individual and group. Motivated inmates and less resistance for the treatment are the main precondition for effective treatment. Appropriate behavior of personnel is the main factor for that result. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) as the most effective evidence based psychotherapy approach for offender population is a type for inmate treatment. CBT is a result of Aaron Beck pioneering work in the 1960s. CBT model is based on the triangle relationships between cognition, emotions and behavior. The cognition is defined as a product of the three levels: cognitive schemas, negative automatic thoughts and dysfunctional thinking or thinking errors. The inventory of risk, need and strengths (IORNS), an risk assessment instrument, based on Risk, need and responsivity (RNR) model, was used for selection of (N=27) inmates and CBT treatment pilot program final evaluation, in Macedonian prison Bitola. The evaluation was done by comparing pre and post test measures in (N=12) male inmates, as optimal number for group psychotherapy treatment. According to the RNR model the treatment program needs to be oriented to the inmates needs. Implementing CBT treatment program for group psychotherapy and IORNS as short screening tool in Macedonian prisons was the aim of the project supported by the Council of Europe in this work. The results showed significant lower Procriminal attitudes but higher Aggression because of higher Aggressive behavior in the post measures. Results and instrument can be used in next CBT programs evaluations for better rehabilitation of prison inmates and reducing recidivism.

Emotionality and psychosexual maturity of male prison inmates

Emotionality and psychosexual maturity of male prison inmates

Suočavanje sa stresom i mentalno zdravlje zatvorenika

Prison is a high stress environment where an individual's mental health can be seriously affected (Mansoor et al., 2015). The way prisoners cope with stress is an important factor in examining the impact of the prison environment on their mental health (Gullone et al., 2000). The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between prisoners' coping strategies and their mental health within the framework of the health theory of coping (Stallman, 2020). The study was conducted on a sample of N=125 male prisoners who were in the Diagnostic Department of the Diagnostic Centre in Zagreb (M=40.08; SD=11.97). The Multidimensional Coping Scale (Duhachek, 2005) and DASS-21 (Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995) were used. Participants were also asked to rate the intensity of emotions they had experienced in the past week. The results show that only unhealthy coping strategies make a significant contribution to explaining prisoners' anxiety, while both healthy and unhealthy coping strategies contribute to explaining prisoners' depression. The results do not confirm the premise of the theory that the frequency of using stress coping strategies is negatively associated with the intensity of experiencing unpleasant emotions. The results are discussed in relation to the theoretical framework and their practical applicability.

Why does a grateful mind prevent an aggressive hand? Perspective taking mediated the relation between gratitude and two types of aggression among individuals in the general population and prisoners

ABSTRACT Previous research has shown that gratitude can reduce aggression via enhanced empathy. However, further research is needed to distinguish different subtypes of empathy and aggression, and to evaluate the relationship among highly aggressive individuals. The current study investigated the roles of two subtypes of empathy (perspective taking and empathic concern) in the relationship between gratitude and two subtypes of aggression (reactive and proactive aggressions) among general population (N = 363, Study 1) and male prisoners (N = 241, Study 2). In both studies, parallel mediational analyses supported that perspective taking, rather than empathic concern, plays a critical role in correlating gratitude with two subtypes of aggression. This effect was more significant in prisoners than in the community population. These findings enhance the understanding of the underlying mechanism linking gratitude to aggression and imply a new promising target for gratitude-based interventions to reduce aggression in prisoners.

Contextualizing Indigenous people and the state of exception: New Zealand's Waikeria Prison protest

On Tuesday, December 29, 2020, 16 protesters at Waikeria Prison, one of New Zealand's largest male prisons, engaged in a six-day standoff with prison guards to protest inhumane prison conditions. The Department of Corrections framed the event as an aimless riot, delegitimizing the intentional demonstration of resistance against state violence. Imprisoned intellectuals, specifically Imprisoned Black Radical tradition, have long examined and centered the prison as the harshest instrument of the state linked to the struggles of the collective. However, voices from imprisoned intellectuals are rarely considered in academic scholarship despite acute analysis of the state and liberation. This article employs the state of exception to contextualize the Waikeria protest. Particular attention is devoted to the ‘state of continuity,’ which allows for a broader understanding of a permanent state of racialized oppression and marginalization faced by Indigenous and Black communities in racialized-settler-colonial contexts. Populations designated as the exception are thus framed as a threat targeted for militaristic police intervention. This article concludes by extending the discussion of the state of continuity to include how expressions of rage and dissent by Indigenous and Black people are viewed as a direct threat to the sovereign order but are necessary for revolutionary change.

Association of Health and Victimization with Discrete Group Membership in Offending Frequency: Results from a Sample of Taiwanese Male Prisoners

Association of Health and Victimization with Discrete Group Membership in Offending Frequency: Results from a Sample of Taiwanese Male Prisoners

Perception of Leisure in Prisoners

This study aimed to identify the leisure needs of prisoners and the significance of leisure activities in prisons. The research is a qualitative study designed using a phenomenological approach. Participants were selected using criterion sampling, one of the purposive sampling methods. The study group for this research consists of 21 male prisoners who have been incarcerated and are currently serving time in Manisa Open Prison. The researchers obtained the data using a semi-structured interview form, which was then analysed using content analysis methods. In terms of credibility, transferability, consistency, and confirmability of the research, direct quotations were used, the research process was explained in detail, and the agreement rate was calculated as 0.83 using Miles and Huberman” 's (1994) reliability formula. All data were kept ensuring verifiability. The findings revealed that most participants associate the concept of time with life and define it as the period between birth and death. Similarly, freedom is perceived as living freely and being with loved ones. The concept of obstacle or constraint is associated with being in prison. In their leisure, participants expressed a desire to spend time with their family and children when they are not incarcerated. Leisure activities in prisons are important, but also insufficient. Leisure activities should adequately contribute to working life after release.

Implementation costs of the appraise alcohol brief intervention (ABI) for male remand prisoners: A micro-costing protocol and preliminary findings.

This paper documents the methods used to assess the implementation costs of the APPRAISE alcohol brief intervention (ABI) delivered to male remand prisoners across two study sites in Scotland and North East England. We first developed a comprehensive taxonomy of the activities constituting the APPRIASE ABI. Next, data were collected for each activity about the study staff and the subject time spent, in addition to the other resources used and unit costs. From the pilot data collection it was possible to construct a narrative, for both study sites, for how the intervention was delivered and the time required for each activity. The ABI was delivered by Change Grow Live and Humankind intervention staff and staff salaries were obtained from both organizations to calculate the staff delivery costs for each site. Other costs, such as the printing of materials, were estimated based on APPRAISE study records. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions and limited access to prison resources and staff, there were significant deviations from the initial study protocols. As a result, we document the costs of implementing the ABI as delivered rather than as planned. This paper provides the first estimates of the implementation costs of an ABI delivered in criminal justice setting in the UK. Although these costs are from a pilot implementation that was heavily impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, this paper nonetheless provides useful, policy-relevant information on the potential costs of providing ABI to remand prisoners. It also serves as a methodological template, guidance, and proof of concept for future micro-costing studies of ABIs in criminal justice settings.

“The job changes you”: a reflexive thematic analysis of Australian correctional officer mental health

ABSTRACT Correctional officers (COs) work under stressful conditions and experience high rates of potentially psychologically traumatic critical incidents, and yet understanding of their mental health is limited. Therefore, the current study aimed to explore how correctional work impacts CO mental health. Twenty-two Australian COs (12 men, 10 women) working predominantly in high security prisons (91%) with male prison residents (50%) were interviewed about their mental health and workplace experiences. Reflexive thematic analysis of these interviews generated three key themes: the job changes you, it’s a stressful job, and coping strategies. Officers showed both positive and negative changes to their sense of self, daily functioning, and mental health which were generally consistent with experiences of psychological wellbeing, posttraumatic growth, and burnout. These changes were impacted by a variety of operational and organizational stressors and were managed through adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies like social support, humor, and alcohol consumption. The findings support existing theories of the non-dichotomous nature of mental health and mental illness. Along with deepening understandings of CO mental health, this study provides guidance on how COs can be supported to be healthy and productive in the workplace.

Social preferences and psychopathy in a sample of male prisoners—a pilot study

Social decisions are influenced by a person’s social preferences. High psychopathy is defined by antisocial behaviour, but the relationship between psychopathy and social preferences remains unclear. In this study, we used a battery of economic games to study social decision-making and social preferences in relation to psychopathy in a sample of 35 male prison inmates, who were arrested for sexual and severe violent offenses (mean age = 39 years). We found no evidence for a relationship between social preferences (measured with the Dictator and Ultimatum Games, Social Value Orientation, and one-shot 2 × 2 games) and psychopathy (measured by the overall Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised score and both factors). These results are surprising but also difficult to interpret due to the small sample size. Our results contribute to the ongoing debate about psychopathy and social decision-making by providing crucial data that can be combined with future datasets to reach large sample sizes that can provide a more nuanced understanding about the relationship between psychopathy and social preferences.

Impact of a group-based, compassion-focused treatment on shame and early life events among male prisoners

Impact of a group-based, compassion-focused treatment on shame and early life events among male prisoners

Clarifying Relations Between Core Features of Psychopathy and Substance (Mis)use: A Replication and Extension in Two Large Independent Samples.

Two studies examined the consistency of associations between specific components of psychopathy and two indices of drug use: (a) abstinence and (b) severity (i.e., counts) of lifetime substance use disorder (SUD) symptoms. Participants were 418 male county jail inmates in Illinois (Study One) and 354 male state prison inmates in New Mexico (Study Two). Across samples, lifestyle and antisocial trait ratings were associated with a reduced likelihood of abstinence from most substances. Lifestyle traits were also uniquely associated with severity of substance dependence ratings. Consistent with prior research, interpersonal traits were uniquely related to cocaine indices in both samples. Furthermore, analyses revealed negative associations between the affective features of psychopathy and alcohol dependence in one sample (Study Two), and illicit substance use across samples. These findings demonstrate the robustness of the associations between the interpersonal and affective features of psychopathy and specific aspects of substance (mis)use.

Characteristics of stalking in prison inmates serving time for offenses other than stalking

ABSTRACT In an effort to understand the correlates of stalking, 62 male federal prisoners with one or more convictions for stalking (n = 54) or a subsequent arrest for stalking (n = 8) were extracted from a larger group of 3,039 federal prison inmates on whom file data had been collected. Comparisons between this group of 62 inmates and the remaining 2,977 inmates with no history of stalking revealed more extensive histories of violence, mental health difficulties, and alcohol abuse in the former. Constructing a control group of 62 non-stalking inmates from the larger sample of 2,977 non-stalking participants by matching stalking and non-stalking inmates on age and race, it was discovered that differences in past violence toward significant others persisted while differences in mental health difficulties and alcohol abuse did not. Findings such as these suggest that when more stringent criteria are used to construct control and comparison groups for research on stalking, differences between stalking and non-stalking participants on all but past history of violence toward intimates tend to disappear.

Analysis of drug-impregnated paper samples seized in English prisons between 2018 and 2020

Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) in the form of impregnated papers delivered to prisoners are of particular concern in prison settings, where they are commonly used by vaping. The purpose of this study was to create a qualitative method for identifying the various emerging NPS impregnated onto paper samples sent to prisoners. It helps to demonstrate that these findings can be used to predict drug prevalence and trends in prisons. Between 2018 and 2020, 1250 non-judicial paper samples seized from 12 English prisons were analysed to determine the NPSs being circulated. Approximately 1 cm2 paper were cut and added to 50 % (v/v) methanol in LCMS-grade water. Vortex-mixing was used to prepare extracts (30 min). Q-TOF LC/MS was used to screen the extracts. This study showed that synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist (SCRA) was the most common drug group detected in impregnated paper seizures in English prisons between 2018 and 2020, followed by cocaine, heroin type drugs (A) and amphetamine, ketamine type drugs (B). Male prisons had a higher prevalence of SCRAs, whereas female prisons had a higher prevalence of A drugs. Furthermore, lower security prisons were found to have a higher prevalence of B drugs, pregabalin, gabapentin type drugs (C), and abused and prescription drugs than higher security prisons which unveiled a higher prevalence of nicotine. The findings of this study have revealed new information about drug use in prisons. This study will also aid in the identification of drug smuggling routes into jails, keeping prison staff up to date with the trends.

Oral Findings in Male Prisoners: A Systematic Review.

Background: Modern penitentiary systems attach great importance, at least in the area of formal and codified arrangements, to providing inmates with access to health care and rehabilitation. The aim of our study was to analyze the Web of Science (WoS) and SCOPUS medical databases in order to search for and evaluate the available literature discussing the oral status and dental treatment needs of adult male prisoners. Methods: The following terms were used: prisoners or inmates; oral health, oral status; periodontal status, periodontal disease; oral hygiene; caries; mucosa; and saliva. The studies were screened based on their title and abstract according to the PICO (population, intervention, control, and outcome) criteria. The research protocol was prepared on the basis of the 2020 PRISMA guidelines and was not registered. The available literature discussing the oral status and dental treatment needs of adult imprisoned patients was analyzed. The inclusion criteria were as follows: articles published in English between 1 January 2012 and 2022; articles discussing the oral cavity status of adult inmates over 18 years old (hard tissues, periodontal status, saliva, mucosa condition, or oral hygiene); articles with a full text available; and articles that were assessed as satisfactory according to the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Results: A total of 934 articles were identified, out of which 9 were included in the systematic review. Two articles discussed the oral condition of prisoners in Europe (Russia and Finland), four examined prisoners in Asia (three in India and one in Saudi Arabia), two examined prisoners in Africa (Nigeria), and one examined prisoners in the Americas (Brazil). Conclusions: The oral status of prisoners has been widely discussed in the available literature. Among inmates, a higher frequency of both caries and periodontal disease along with poorer oral hygiene were observed. It can be concluded that inmates should have access to specialized treatment from periodontists and endodontists.

The Efficacy of On-Site Integration Screening and Microelimination Programs for Chronic Hepatitis C in a Detection Center: A Comparison of the Treatment Outcomes and Characteristics of Incarcerated Patients and Outpatients.

We aimed to analyze the different patient characteristics and treatment outcomes (such as sustained viral response, SVR) between incarcerated patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and those with CHC from the outpatient department through an on-site integrated screening and microelimination program in a detection center. In this retrospective study, which ran from May 2021 to April 2022, we included 32 consenting male prisoners aged at least 20 years who were willing to participate in the study. Members of the control group (who received DAAs in an outpatient setting) were selected from the treated CHC patient databank of individuals who received DAA regimens at Chi Mei Hospital between January 2021 and December 2022. The patients in the two groups did not differ significantly in terms of age, FIB-4 score, HCV RNA, HBV coinfection, hemogram findings, coagulation profiles, and renal function tests. However, the patients in the incarcerated group had a significantly different genotype distribution compared to the control group, significantly lower liver enzyme levels, and higher albumin and bilirubin levels compared to those in the control group. The rate of SVR to DAA treatment obtained among incarcerated patients did not differ significantly from that obtained among patients in the control group. Loss to follow-up (for several reasons) is a major reason for treatment discontinuation among these patients.

Effectiveness of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) on Self-Control and Impulsivity in Male Prisoners.

Objective: Consequences of imprisonment include negative psychological effects, social stigma, and challenges for reintegrating into society. In this regard, this study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) on self-control and impulsivity among male prisoners. Method : A randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT) utilizing a design the included pretest, post-test, and follow-up assessment as well as a waiting-list control group was conducted. A total of 30 male prisoners were selected using convenience sampling and randomly assigned to experimental and waiting list control groups (the intervention group (n = 15) and the control group (n = 15)). The participants in the experimental group underwent the 12-session REBT intervention over a period of six weeks. (For six weeks). All participants responded to the Self- Control Scale (SCS) and Dysfunctional Impulsivity Questionnaire (DFIQ) as dependent variables at three time points (pretest, post-test, and one-month follow-up). A repeated measures analysis of variance was used to analyze the data. Results: The results revealed that after the implementation of the REBT intervention, the mean scores of self-control increased (P < 0.05), while the mean scores of impulsivity diminished significantly (P < 0.05). Furthermore, these changes remained relatively stable during the follow-up period (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, it can be inferred that REBT intervention plays a significant role in diminishing self-control deficits and mitigating impulsivity among incarcerated individuals. These results present promising implications for the utilization of REBT in lowering recidivism rates.

Suicidal ideation among prisoners: analysis with a gender perspective in a five-year follow-up (2017-2022).

There is a high incidence of self-harming behavior in the prison setting, with a suicide rate that is higher than that of the general population. Previous studies describe the association of sociodemographic, clinical, and criminological factors with the risk of suicide in the male prison population, but there is little research that specifically analyses suicidal behavior among women. The objective of this study is to analyze the characteristics of inmates who are admitted to a psychiatric unit for suicidal thoughts or attempted suicide. Descriptive and comparative analysis of 97 inmates (68 men, 29 women) admitted to the Unidad de Hospitalización Psiquiátrica Penitenciaria de Cataluña (UHPP-C), for suicidal ideation, between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2022. There are differences in terms of place of birth, with a more significant presence of African nationalities in non-national males, while foreign inmates tend to come from Latin American countries. Men have a lower mean age, longer admissions, and a higher readmission rate. They also suffer from more psychotic and addictive disorders. Women have a higher prevalence of personality disorders and affective symptoms. There are sociodemographic and clinical differences between male and female prison inmates who require admission for suicidal ideation. Including a gender perspective in studies on suicide risk in the prison population can provide a solid foundation for future studies, thus allowing a more complete understanding of suicidal ideation and intervention needs in the prison population.

Psychometric properties of the long and short forms of the AQ aggression questionnaire in a sample of Spanish inmates.

The Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (AQ; Buss & Perry, 1992) is a broad measurement tool used with the general public in Spain. There is some debate regarding the interpretation of AQ scores and the usefulness of a shorter version. The aim is to study and compare the psychometric properties of the long and short version of the AQ and check the reliability of the short version in a sample of male prisoners. The sample was composed of 236 incarcerated males (mean age of 40.4 years of age) from Ocaña 1 prison center who volunteered to participate in the study. The sample was selected by using the tiered random sampling technique based on the internal inmate number. A random list of possible substitutes was also included in the event of refusal to be interviewed, with replacement being discontinued in the event of two consecutive refusals. This study is a descriptive cross-sectional design. The short version of the scale demonstrated better adjustment than the long version, as indicated by the larger CFI and smaller WRMR values. The number of prison sentences was positively associated with physical aggression, verbal aggression, anger, and hostility. The coefficients were slightly higher for the short version of the scale than the long one. The short version of the AQ is a valid instrument for measuring aggressiveness in prison contexts in relation to the long version, and correlates with subscales of aggression more strongly than the long one.

The experiences of men in prison who do not receive visits from family or friends: A qualitative systematic review.

Visits present an opportunity for prisoners to preserve family ties and reduce isolation, but not all receive visits from family or friends whilst incarcerated. To locate, appraise and synthesise qualitative data on the experiences of adult male prisoners (aged 18years+) who do not receive prison visits from family or friends. Nine electronic databases were searched from the date of their inception until March 2023. The quality of included studies was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist for qualitative studies, and data from the studies were synthesised using the thematic synthesis method. Eighteen studies from seven countries (the USA, the UK [England, Northern Ireland & Scotland], Canada, Netherlands and the Philippines) were eligible for inclusion. Three main themes emerged: (1) reasons for not receiving visits, (2) harmful effects of not receiving visits and (3) the value of volunteer visitor programmes. Practical problems were cited as interfering with visiting opportunities, but also some prisoners or families chose not to meet in prison. Loneliness and depression were extensively described as effects of not receiving visits. Qualities associated with volunteer visitors included raised self-esteem, improved mood and personal growth. Narratives of the experiences of adult men in prison without visits from family or friends suggest that not only the practical difficulties of imprisonment affect visiting; barriers that prisoners themselves impose would merit further exploration, as would family and relationship dynamics during incarceration and the emotional impact of prison visits, for both prisoners and their families. There are suggestions of therapeutic as well as humanitarian benefits from volunteer visiting programmes. There is a gap in the literature about any specific effect on rebuilding family relationships.