Prison Environment Research Articles

Attitudes Toward Elderly Inmates in Correctional Facilities

Psychological well-being and mental health of elderly inmates are investigated by the international organizations, committees, and researchers. One of the main factors that influence their quality of life, daily mood, and well-being is interpersonal relationship. Numerous empirical data confirm the importance of interpersonal relationship, and attitudes toward aging. A definition of attitude item can be explained as an evaluation of a stimulus as reflected in our cognitive, emotional and behavioral responses to the problem (Fiske &Taylor, 1991). In the field of geriatric psychology, research has focused on the problem of interpersonal relationship between elderly people and workers in prison environments. Prison officers are in interpersonal relationship with inmates and have responsibility for the safety, and security of the prison facility, and also for managing organizational demands (Schaufeli & Peeters, 2000). Some researchers have shown that the health, and wellbeing of prison officers remain poor, and risk of being affected by different mental health problems, as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (Viotti, 2016). A systematic review of research and policy papers, articles that published on interpersonal relationship between elderly inmates and officers in correctional facilities, also effective programs outcomes were conducted. The main symptoms of the problem were measured with a special checklist and questionnaires. The quality of life was measured QOL survey that was made based on WHO (World Health Organization) QOL questionnaire. 200 elderly prisoners have been involved in the research from different prison regimes of Azerbaijan correctional facilities between 2019-2020. A systematic approach in psychological work with elderly prisoners, also officers allows for the transition from a symptomatic to a personality-oriented level of psychological impact. Psychological emotional support can renew their hope on life, influence positive outcomes of the support program. According to the results of repeated psychological research, the patient's condition was characterized by positive dynamics: the level of psychological distress and the intensity of psychological distress significantly decreased, the general internality of the personality increased, as well as the subjective assessment of personal well-being. It is necessary to focus the attention of specialists on the advisability of using psycho-educational programs in a prison environment, providing information about the aging dynamically. Such programs, used at the initial stages of work with patients, contribute to the creation of motivation for personal psychotherapy and significantly increase its effectiveness.

Effectiveness of a psycho-educational intervention for people with suicidal conduct in the prison environment, N’viu project: a randomized control trial

<p><strong>Background:</strong> Suicide rates are higher in the prison environment than in the general population. Prevention involves strategies to promote mental health, early diagnosis, treatment and identification of precipitating factors. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a psychoeducational group intervention performed by rehabilitation professionals to decrease the number of suicidal behaviors in the penitentiary environment.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> This study has been designed as a multicentric, randomized, two parallel-group, controlled trial. The study population will be male and female inmates of nine prisons of Catalonia (Spain). The primary outcome will be the total number of suicidal behaviours for 12 months of follow-up. Secondary outcomes will be suicide risk evaluated with the international neuropsychiatric interview (MINI); the severity of suicidal ideations assessed with the Columbia-suicide severity rating scale (C-SSRS), the presence of depressive and anxiety symptoms [Hamilton depression rating scale (HDRS) and Hamilton anxiety rating scale (HARS)] and health-related quality of life (EQ-5D). Other variables will be clinical and socio-demographic. Intervention will consist of 17 psychoeducation sessions for the intervention group and information on suicide for the control group. </p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> This project aims to assess the effectiveness of a psycho-educational intervention on reducing the number of suicidal behaviours in the prison environment. If positive, the prison community will have a new tool to curb suicide in prisons.</p><p><strong>Trial registration:</strong> The trial was registered on clinicalTrials.gov on 19 January 2022 (NCT05195554).</p>

Effectiveness of a 4-Day Mindfulness-Based Intervention in a 2-Month Follow-Up for Chinese Incarcerated People

Mindfulness-based interventions, an evidence-based stress reduction approach, may help incarcerated people cope with stress-related problems in the challenging environment of prison. However, due to their unique living environment, the duration and instructor guidance required by standard mindfulness-based interventions would be infeasible in most prisons. Therefore, the aims of the current study were to test the effects of two different 4-day interventions (i.e., instructor-guided and audio-based) with content similar to Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for newly incarcerated males, and to compare the effectiveness of the two interventions relative to a no-intervention control group. Using daily assessments, we explored changes in perceived stress, insomnia, and negative affect in the 56 days following the instructor-guided (N = 25), audio-based (N = 21), and control (N = 44) intervention; length of mindfulness practice during the follow-up was also compared between the two intervention groups. Hierarchical linear model results showed significantly greater linear decreases in perceived stress after both mindfulness interventions during the 56-day follow-up (γ11 = -0.011, p < .001, 95% CI [-0.017, -0.004] for instructor-guided intervention; γ12 = -0.013, p < .001, 95% CI [-0.018, -0.006] for audio-based intervention), as compared to the control group. Compared to the control group, the instructor-guided group reported a significantly greater decrease in insomnia (γ11 = -0.007, p < .001, 95% CI [-0.014, -0.002]), but the audio-based group did not (γ12 = -0.002, p = .160, 95% CI [-.007, .004]). Neither mindfulness-based intervention group reported a significantly greater decrease in negative affect compared to the control group (γ11 = -0.002, p = .170, 95% CI [-0.005, 0.001] for instructor-guided intervention; γ12 = -0.002, p = .150, 95% CI [-0.006, 0.002] for audio-based intervention). No significant difference between the two intervention groups was found in the change of outcomes (γ11 = 0.002, -0.005 and 0.000, p = .350, .130 and .390, 95% CI [-0.008, 0.011], 95% CI [-0.014, 0.004] and 95% CI [-0.004, 0.006] subsequently for perceived stress, insomnia and negative affect). Daily mindfulness practice was significantly longer for the audio-based group on the first day of follow-up (γ02 = -0.758, p < .05, 95% CI [-1.333, -0.129]), but it gradually decreased to the same amount as the instructor-guided group (t (32) = 0.051, p = .959). Short-term mindfulness interventions, either instructor-guided or audio-based, appear to be beneficial for Chinese prisoners in reducing stress. Live instruction may have potential benefit in reducing insomnia and sustaining daily practice.

Continuous Ex-Offenders’ Reformation and Avoidance of Recidivistic Acts in Nigeria

This paper arose from very serious concern emanating from the skyrocketed cases of recidivistic occurrences in Nigeria which as observed impact negatively on the Nigerian prison reformatory and rehabilitation processes vis-à-vis the security of lives and property. It is common now in Nigeria that our prison population keeps increasing without the corresponding facilities, manpower, and resources to effectively and efficiently reform inmates that after release would be better law-abiding and self-sustaining. From the study, it was revealed that ex-offenders become more hardened and daring, and prefer to habituate the prison environment to outside society. The lack and absence of training tools like mechanic workshops, tailoring shops, and more saddening the cruelty meted out on them inside the prison makes it worse; the stigmatization and outright denial of job opportunities as compared to their counterparts who are not ex-offenders are offensive to them. The study recommends as follows: Government should equip all correctional facilities in Nigeria with the approved international standards that through it inmates, after release, can be meaningfully engaged and be relatively self-sustaining; The government through its agencies like National Orientation Agency, federal radio, and television in conjunction with the religious bodies, sensitize the public on the danger of stigmatizing ex-convicts because it has far-reaching consequences; With the help of social workers, there should be follow-up and an evaluative scheme that requires an ex-offender constantly be monitored to prevent reoffending; and Schools should be established in the prisons and properly funded by the government to help to functionally educate and reshape the minds of the inmates so that upon release they will be better citizens.

Elucidating the relationship between alexithymia and aggression: A Rapid Evidence Assessment

This paper aims to consider the under-researched association between alexithymia and aggression perpetration, accounting for its raised prevalence in offender populations. Using a Rapid Evidence Assessment (REA), a total of 37 papers were included. Five subordinate themes were identified; (1) Those with alexithymia are reactive but not primarily instrumentally/proactively aggressive; (2) Difficulties in identifying and distinguishing between feelings and somatic sensations, is particularly predictive of aggression; (3) Continuum-based measures are more sensitive than categorical-based measures of aggression in detecting an association between alexithymia and aggression; (4) Prison environments could exacerbate the manifestation of alexithymia and the association with aggression, and (5) The association between alexithymia and aggression in forensic and community mental health populations is understudied. Evidence was clear in indicating an association between alexithymia and aggression, thereby raising the value of this clinical concept to future aggression research and considerations for assessment and therapeutic engagement with those presenting with aggression who may otherwise be considered simply to ‘lack empathy’. It would appear such a conclusion would be too rudimentary and fail to acknowledge the complexity of what could be an alexithymia presentation.

HumanCentered Architectural Illumination Design In Prisons

If illumination is used correctly in architectural designs, it makes positive contributions to human health. Electric lighting can contribute to human health in environments where there are architectural restrictions and daylight is not sufficiently used (for example, in prisons). In this study, the illuminance level from the sun was simulated with dynamic electric lighting. By using direct, semidirect, and diffused illumination, human centric lighting concept can be used in environments where daylighting is not sufficiently used. In this way, illumination suitable for human biology was made with lowcost dynamic electric lighting arrangement without changing the architectural design. In this study, equivalent melanopic illuminance values in WELL standards in the concept of human centric lighting are provided in a simulation environment for different illumination types in a prison environment.

Parcours de soins et expertises psychiatriques pré-sentencielles : une étude descriptive au centre pénitentiaire de Château-Thierry

ContextThe high prevalence of psychiatric disorders among people in prison is well documented, and several hypotheses have been proposed to explain this overrepresentation. In France, the decrease in the number of people found by the judge to be not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder after a psychiatric expertise could play a crucial role. The Château-Thierry prison is a high-security correctional facility where prisoners whose integration into a “standard” prison is complicated because of behavioural problems, reside. We conducted the first study to describe the judicial and healthcare trajectories of people incarcerated in this facility. MethodAll the people incarcerated in the Château-Thierry prison between May and September 2019 were included in this cross-sectional study. In addition to sociodemographic characteristics, data on the psychiatric care before and during incarceration as well as information on the judicial and prison history were collected. We also analyzed all the pre-sentencing psychiatric reports in order to collect the degree of discernment determined by the psychiatrist expert for each included individual. ResultsSixty-eight (97%) of the 70 people detained at the Château-Thierry prison during the study period were included and 92 pre-sentencing psychiatric reports were analyzed. The population studied was exclusively male, with an average age of 40 years, low socio-economic status and frequent criminal history (79%). About half of them (46%) had already been hospitalized in a psychiatric community hospital prior to incarceration, and 79% have been hospitalized in a psychiatric facility during their incarceration. Disciplinary sanctions were frequent (72%) as well as convictions for offenses committed while in prison (57%). When at least one pre-sentencing psychiatric report was carried out (29 persons had a single psychiatric forensic evaluation and 27 ones had multiple evaluations), at least one psychiatric expert had concluded to a diminished (but not lack of) criminal responsibility in almost half of the cases (44%). ConclusionThis study shows the extent to which people incarcerated in the Château-Thierry prison are affected by psychiatric disorders. It also highlights the difficulties of coping with the prison environment for people suffering from psychiatric disorders. Finally, it raises the question of the lack of diversion programs for the individuals in France with mental health problems whose responsibility has been considered as full or diminished.

The Cultural Hybridization of Mothering in French Prison Nurseries: A Qualitative Study.

In France, women can be incarcerated during pregnancy and can keep their babies with them in prison up to the age of 18months. The small number of nurseries in France and their unequal geographic distribution as well as the high percentage of foreign prisoners often result in women's isolation from their usual cultural environment. Family members and cultural community play a crucial role in the process of mothering. The aim of this study is to explore through these mothers' narratives how they experience the cultural aspects of this process in the prison environment. We conducted semi-structured interviews to collect the experience of 25 mothers and 5 pregnant women in 13 different prison nurseries in France and used interpretative phenomenological analysis to explore the data. Four different themes emerged: prison: repression of cultural practices, prison: a culture of its own, loss of traditional culture, and cultural hybridization. The specific environmental architecture and operating rules in prison nurseries may induce acute repression regarding cultural ways of mothering. Considering both cultural permeability specific to the peripartum period during which women tend to more easily embrace cultural aspects from their environment, and family distance which restrains cultural transmission, these mothers gather multiple factors of vulnerability for full prisonization, as a form of forced assimilation to prison culture. But a sort of specific hybrid prison culture around motherhood seems to emerge instead, in a process similar to creolization.

Sleep disorders in correctional officers: cross-sectional study.

IntroductionWithin the prison environment, where strict surveillance and prompt decision-taking are essential to maintain security, poor sleep may be hazardous to correctional officers. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of and identify factors associated with severe sleep disorders in correctional officers.Material and MethodsAn exploratory cross-sectional study comprised all correctional officers in a prison complex in Salvador city, Brazil. Information about sleep quality, sociodemographic and occupational aspects, lifestyle habits, and common mental disorders (self-reporting questionnaire-20 score ≥7 points) were collected via a self-administered questionnaire. Severe sleep disorder was defined as a score ≥31 points according to the mini sleep questionnaire. The measure of association used was the prevalence ratio (PR). Prevalence ratios were estimated by using a Cox multivariate regression model. The final adjusted model only included the variables that presented a prevalence ratio ≥1.20.ResultsThe prevalence of severe sleep disorders in the 374 correctional officers was 55.3%, and was strongly (prevalence ratio ≥1.20) associated with number of stressful activities at work (RPs=1.24, 1.19, and 1.17), number of attack and threat events against the correctional officers over the last 12 months (RPs showing gradient, 1.11, 1.24, and 1.41), common mental disorders (RP=2,24), and non-White skin color (RP=1,37).ConclusionThis study found high prevalence of severe sleep disorders in correctional officers, associated with impairment of their mental health, skin color, and, particularly, with situations of stress and violence at work. These factors must be taken into account when planning and providing health care to these workers.

Healthy prisons: analysis of health promotion in Catalonian prisons.

IntroductionThere is currently sufficient evidence that health can be created through certain strategies combined and maintained long enough to produce measurable results: this is what is called health promotion. The World Health Organization has promoted programs based on healthy environments; among them we highlight healthy prisons. Living conditions in a penitentiary are extraordinarily specific, and involve limitations that can have significant health consequences. However, prisons can be environments for health, since there is the effective possibility of promoting it.ObjectivesTo analyze the implementation of health promotion in prisons in Catalonia.Material and methodRetrospective and observational cross-sectional multi-centre study, carried out on a sample of 29 nurses who worked in the closed-regime prisons in Catalonia between 2019 and 2020. The information collection instrument is made up of an ad-hoc questionnaire (Annex 1). A descriptive analysis of the socio-demographic variables and the variables of the study was carried out. A comparative analysis is performed using correlation and linear regression models.Results 82.8% of those surveyed state that a health promotion project is being carried out in the prison where they work, with mental health being the most carried out programs, followed by tobacco and drug cessation.Discussion The results show that health promotion policies are currently being developed in the Catalan prison environment.

Processes and Criteria for Positioning Prisoners in the Internal Hierarchy System Within the Penal Institution During the Imprisonment

Bearing in mind the specifics of the functioning and organization of prisons and penitentiaries and the heterogeneity of the population serving prison sentences, the occurrence of the positioning of prisoners within the hierarchical system is expected. The aim of this paper is to provide insight into the processes and criteria for positioning prisoners in the internal hierarchical system while serving a prison sentence, in order to identify potential activities that may affect the security level of the institution and disrupt rehabilitation efforts. A review of the literature found that the following factors have a key influence on the position of prisoners in the internal hierarchical social order: masculinity, type of crime, age and length of stay in the penitentiary institution, as well as behaviors related to adherence / violation of the prison code. The results of the literature analysis point to the fact that at the top of the hierarchy are dominant and masculine prisoners and older, experienced prisoners with longer time of imprisonment. On the other hand, the lowest positions belong to perpetrators of crimes against children and to prisoners in collusion with prison staff. The positioning of prisoners within the social hierarchy is associated with the occurrence of violent behavior, which can negatively affect the relations of prisoners with prison staff and the success and results of their rehabilitation procedures. On the other hand, the potential positive consequences, such as maintaining order or cooperation some prisoners with staff in favor of detecting and resolving internal problems, are not negligible. Adequate familiarity of professionals and staff with the social hierarchy of prisoners, as an almost inseparable part of the prison environment, can be used to create treatment methods to maintain order and security of the penitentiary institution and thus potentially improve rehabilitation outcomes and quality of life of prisoners.

High Incidence of SARS-CoV-2 Within Incarcerated Populations and Possible Implications for Herd Immunity.

Controlling the transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been challenging in the community and prison systems. Where herd immunity lies for this virus is unknown, although estimates have ranged from 60% to 80%. Since the start of the pandemic, there have been multiple SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks within U.S. prison systems, which may provide more insight on where true herd immunity lies. We reviewed data from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to investigate the cumulative incidence of infection and found levels in 14 (40%) of 35 prisons were >60%. These data and existing literature suggest that in prison environments, prevalence of immunity often needs to reach >70% before transmission slows. Similar levels may be needed in the general population before transmission is suppressed.

Loneliness and social isolation among the older person in a Swiss secure institution: a qualitative study

BackgroundA pandemic of loneliness is hitting the aging population. As COVID19 forced us to isolate ourselves, we are in a better position to understand consequences of social distancing. The recent literature showed that older incarcerated adults are particularly at risk of health-related complications due to isolation in the prison environment, reducing their social capital. Mental and physical health can be severely affected by loneliness and social isolation, especially in prison.MethodsOur qualitative study investigates the view of older persons deprieved of their liberty on loneliness and social isolation pertaining to their mental health. We interviewed 57 older participants, including imprisoned individuals and forensic patients, following a semi-structured interview guide. During the data management and data analysis process, we excluded 7 interviews which were of poorer quality. Thereafter, we analyzed the remainders following a thematic approach.ResultsMost interviewees experience loneliness following lack of significant human relationships in prison. Making friends appears to be a challenge for all the participants, because, for one thing, they do not find people with similar interests. Also, secure institution setting aggravates isolation due to the restrictions of movement placed such as rules concerning movement between floors, hindering intimate relationship, and separation between friends. Moreover, contact with prison personnel is limited and lack social capital (e.g. trust).ConclusionTo our knowledge, this study is one of the first to present incarcerated persons’ perspective on loneliness, social isolation and poor social capital in the Swiss prison setting. These has been reported to cause health problems both somatic and psychological. Our participants experience these deleterious factors in detention. As prisons have the possibility to become a health-promoting environment through connectedness, friendship, and trust promotion, stakeholders need to better their social capital.

Risk factors associated with hypertension among inmates in southern Brazil

Objective: To identify the association between risk factors for systemic arterial hypertension and blood pressure levels in prisoners under a closed regime. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional study conducted with prisoners under a closed regime between February and September 2019. A total of 240 men from a penitentiary complex in southern Brazil participated in the study. A semi-structured instrument based on the national guidelines for cardiovascular diseases was used for data collection. Results: Univariate analysis allowed us to identify that physical exercise was negatively associated with the development of systemic arterial hypertension (p = 0.034). However, body mass index and abdominal circumference were positively associated with cardiovascular risk and systemic arterial hypertension (p = 0.000). Through multivariate analysis, we noted the statistical significance of the body mass index when controlled for all other variables in the model (adjusted OR = 2.33). Conclusions: Risk factors for the development of systemic arterial hypertension are present in the prison environment to a similar degree as in the general population; particularly the absence ofphysical exercise and altered body mass index and abdominal circumference. It is worth mentioning that the body mass index was the variable of greater statistical significance, since, when altered, it increased 2.33 times the chance of inmates to develop systemic arterial hypertension.

Postural stability disorders-early signs of aging-in physically non-active prisoners.

BackgroundThere is a need for a study of possible relationship between serving a prison sentence and developing postural stability dysfunction. The aim of the study was to analyze postural stability of physically inactive prisoners. The study group consisted of 24 male prisoners aged 34.6 ± 7.02 years, imprisoned in closed prison and 30 healthy, non-active physically, aged 36.9 ± 7.5 years, who consisted control group. The subjects were imprisoned for a mean of 105.43 ± 58.48 months.MethodsThe static balance test was conducted on bi-modular stabilometric platform CQStab2P.ResultsWe found statistically significant differences in several stability parameters. Prisoners results were significantly worse in parameters measured with eyes open: MA (mean amplitude p < 0.01), MAAP (mean amplitude in anterio–posterior plane p < 0.03), MAML (mean amplitude in medio—lateral plane p < 0.04), MaxAP (maximal sway in AP p < 0.01), MaxML (p < 0.01). With eyes closed the prisoner’s results were significantly worse in SPML (sway path in medio-lateral plane p = 0.01), better in MAML (p < 0.01) and MaxML (p < 0.01), and faster in MVML (mean velocity in medio-lateral plane p < 0.01).Conclusions(1) Diagnostics aimed at early diagnoses of ageing symptoms should be performed in prisons. It would allow for better prisoner management in terms of assessment of ability to work, free time activity offer and falls prevention. (2) In prisons, in addition to counteracting the typical causes of balance disorders, action should be taken to counteract the causes for balance disorders typical for prison environment, inter alia: sensory deprivation—by implementing programmes comprehensively activating prisoners, and hypokinesis—by implementing physical activity programmes that cater for the needs of older prisoners.

An Evaluation of the Work Social Worker in the Imprisonment With Active Preparation for Post-Penitentiary Care in Slovakia

The aim of social work in social services in the treatment of a prisoner is the mitigation of social problems or the elimination of their possible causes, and the preparation of a prisoner for release from prison. Social work, social services and social counselling are the specialised forms of care for an individual, the enhancement of his individual potentials, the optimisation of behaviour in the specific moments of his life. A relationship between a prisoner and a social worker is an important milestone which affects the quality of the counselling activity. However, the relationship develops step by step, and the social worker gradually gains trust and authority. However, in the development of such a relationship, the social worker in the helping profession must have certain principles to be followed. Social work in serving custody and serving an imprisonment sentence is a professional activity focused on clarifying the social problems of the prisoners which influenced their criminal activity, or whose existence is a risk factor for the resocialisation prognosis, so-called information assistance, support and counselling focused on limiting the negative effects of the prison environment and eliminating or minimising the causes of social problems. Social work in helping professions with prisoners belongs to a science area of social work. According to the place of work, we can divide social work with the punished persons into two subgroups: social work in the prison – i.e. penitentiary social work; and social work following the imprisonment sentence – post-penitentiary social work.

Atuação do enfermeiro na assistência à saúde no sistema prisional

The aim was to evaluate the role of nurses in health care aimed at people deprived of liberty, with specific objectives to describe the care network and its flow in the context of nursing and to discuss the facilities and difficulties of nursing care for people deprived of liberty. The method was carried out through a literature review delimited by keywords and analysis of health policies and documents of the Ministry of Health. The conclusions highlight the importance of the role of nurses in the prison system and the limits that need to be broken for each assistance increasingly better, such as the excess of paradigms in the prison environment, fear of the hostile environment, less professional autonomy, and the organization of physical units.

The “mandatory” right to education as means of reintegration into society

Internationally, human rights law guarantees a universal right to education. Education and training of inmates help reduce the social costs of crime. People outside of the prison environment have the luxury, or better yet freedom, of choosing the reason for pursuing a form of education or training, whilst for prisoners it is predetermined. Given that its final scope is the reintegration of prisoners into society as full functioning citizens, the right to education becomes an obligation to the state to guarantee the access to the resources available. Thus, the complexity of this right can be better seen in the prison environment, as its final purpose is to ensure that discipline and order are maintained in society.

The Epidemiology of Recurrent Violence and Its Relationship with Sentence Time in the Romanian Juvenile Prison System: A Two-Year Cohort Study

Background: Research suggests that a small number of persistent violent offenders are responsible for a majority of prison violence and tend to behave violently to a disproportionate amount. However, literature on patterns of violence in juvenile prisoners is limited. Method: In order to explore how subjects engage in violence while incarcerated in the juvenile prison system, the authors will examine both proximal and distal predictors of violent behavior among juveniles in custody. This study adds to the current empirical research by longitudinally examining dynamic risk factors of recurrent violent behavior across a population of juvenile prisoners (Mage = 16.21; 94.8% male) in custody in the Romanian juvenile justice system, starting from their entry date until the end of the follow-up period (Me = 2 years). Results: Results from a series of repeated aggressive events survival analyses show evidence of a long-term deleterious association between pre-incarceration risk factors and poor developmental trajectory associated with violence. Adherence to destructive conduct in prison was consistently influenced by low ability to cope with the prison environment, although education level and family factors also mattered. Implications for prison professionals and forensic practitioners are presented. Conclusion: Recurring aggressive behavior is frequent for individuals who experience complex adverse experiences during childhood, suggesting that screening youths upon their admission into juvenile justice settings should include an assessment of their basic self-regulation needs. A greater focus on longitudinal studies may help improve the screening process and also follow the progress of each juvenile to warrant the efficacy of preventive programs in self-harm, according to their emerging needs.

"THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY – THE PREMISE OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN PRISONS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC"

Internationally, human rights law guarantees an universal right to the highest achievable and mandatory standard of health and obliges the governments to take measures to prevent threats to public health and to provide medical care to those who need it. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to rip through prisons across the world, and some excessive measures imposed by governments to prevent the spread of the disease have led to human rights violations. If one would take into account Romania’s persisting problems of overcrowding and poor hygiene conditions in prisons, it is required to highlight how the lack of transparency in public institutions has an the impact on the prison environment during the pandemic. The paper suggests that there is a link between the way the prison life is perceived and the lack of compliance of national measures with generally binding standards regarding human rights imposed internationally.