Remand Prison Research Articles

Barriers to prisoner participation in educational courses: Insights from a remand prison in Belgium

This article examines the profile of prisoners who do not take part in formal education while being incarcerated (e.g. language or ICT courses) and the barriers to participation these prisoners experience. Survey data were collected as part of a research project conducted in a remand prison in Belgium (n = 486). The results demonstrate that 29% of the prisoners take part in educational courses and that participation rates are lower among Belgian and non-European prisoners, those with either a very good or very poor understanding of the Dutch language, and those serving a short sentence. Non-participants experience mainly situational barriers (e.g. having recently arrived in prison), but they also express having preferences for other activities (e.g. working), and being confronted with informational (e.g. not being aware of the possibilities for participation), institutional (e.g. receiving no response to a request to enrol in a course) or dispositional barriers (e.g. not feeling like taking classes). Furthermore, this study investigates which individual, social network and prison-related characteristics are associated with the various categories of barriers. The article concludes with a discussion of the limitations of the study and recommendations for future research.

True and false alibis among prisoners and their detection by police detectives

The present study was designed to determine whether differences exist between true and false alibis and how accurate police detectives and lay people are in determining the veracity of alibis. This article provides a replication of the research by Culhane et al. (2013) with more representative participants. In the first experiment, real suspects in a remand prison generated true or false alibis. In the second experiment, a subset of those alibis were written out and were provided to experienced police officers and students for alibi evaluation and discrimination. Our results show that differentiating between true and false alibis is difficult, and even when more representative materials and participants are included, the accuracy did not exceed 60%. Interestingly we found that students and police officers focus on other aspects during the alibi discrimination. Thus, research using student participant cannot be, directly, used in alibi discrimination studies.

The development and evaluation of a prison clinical psychology service

This article describes the development and evaluation of group and individual therapies provided to male offenders detained in a large remand prison.

Reduced Self-Control after 3 Months of Imprisonment; A Pilot Study.

Background: Prison can be characterized as an impoverished environment encouraging a sedentary lifestyle with limited autonomy and social interaction, which may negatively affect self-control and executive function. Here, we aim to study the effects of imprisonment on self-control and executive functions, and we report the change in neuropsychological outcome after 3 months of imprisonment.Materials and Methods: Participants were 37 male inmates in a remand prison in Amsterdam, Netherlands, who completed six tests of a computerized neuropsychological test battery (the Cambridge Automated Neuropsychological Test Battery) in the first week of arrival. Participants were retested after 3 months of imprisonment. Change in performance was tested using the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test.Results: After 3 months of imprisonment, risk taking significantly increased (measured as an increase in the proportion of available points used for betting) and attention significantly deteriorated (measured as increased variability in reaction times on a sustained attention task), with large to medium effect sizes. In contrast, planning significantly improved (measured with a task analog to the Tower of London) with a medium effect size.Discussion: Our study suggests that 3 months of imprisonment in an impoverished environment may lead to reduced self-control, measured as increased risk taking and reduced attentional performance. This is a significant and societally relevant finding, as released prisoners may be less capable of living a lawful life than they were prior to their imprisonment, and may be more prone to impulsive risk-taking behavior. In other words, the impoverished environment may contribute to an enhanced risk of reoffending.

Screening prisoners for mental disorders

In this issue, Gavin et al ([2003][1]) present a study of the uses of a screening instrument for mental illness in remand prisoners. This is the latest in a long series of epidemiological studies concerning mental disorders in prisoners. They have produced a screening instrument for mental illness

ECONOMIC AND LEGAL NATURE OF PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP IN THE PENITENTIARY SYSTEM

Urgency of the research is in the necessity to solve a complex task for the improvement and development of new forms of economic and legal provision of the execution of punishments. Target setting. Despite the state recognition of the concept of «public-private partnership» in the Penitentiary sphere, a lot of issues concerning economic and legal nature of this institute require in-depth interdisciplinary research. Actual scientific researchers and issues analysis. Domestic and foreign scholars researched the issues of ex-pediency or inexpediency of creating private penal institutions, due to legal attitudes, without paying attention to economic component. Uninvestigated parts of general matters defining. The issues as to argumentation of private sector in the field of execution of punishments using are still underdeveloped. The research objective. Clarification of economic and legal nature of public-private partnership in the Penitentiary System with further substantiation of its perspective forms for reaching the goal of economic expediency and correction and re-socialization of convicts. The statement of basic materials. Foreign experience studying enabled to identify such forms of public-private part-nership in the Penitentiary System as: 1) provision of psycho-logical, medical and educational spheres of activity, as well as maintenance of prison facilities; 2) economic component of prison functioning, medical and social services and partially security functions; 3) transporting, feeding and providing other services for prisoners’ holding; 4) guarding and maintaining order in courts; 5) prisoners’ guarding in medical institutions. Conclusions. The following perspective forms of economic and socio-legal substantiation for public-private part-nership in the Penitentiary System are offered: 1) concluding contracts regarding labor employment of convicts; 2) building of new remand prisons and penal institutions in the cities of Ukraine at the expense of redistribution of public and private funds.

Brief mental health screening of prison entrants: psychiatric history versus symptom screening for the prediction of in-prison outcomes

While prisoners are known to suffer very high rates of mental illness, evidence is often lacking to inform the development of effective approaches to prison mental health service provision, including the approach to mental health screening. In addition, research to date has been dominated by prevalence studies and little is known about the mental health needs of prisoners over time. A random sample of prison entrants was recruited from a large remand and reception prison in New South Wales, Australia (n = 707) for the completion of a brief health survey. A second survey was completed during the subsequent six months (n = 317) in order to examine the effect of timing of assessment on mental health status. Those followed up within three months (n = 182) were further included in an analysis of predictive validity comparing the performance at baseline of self-reported history of previous diagnosis versus current symptom screening for psychological distress, in predicting subsequent mental illness. When assessed over six months from prison entry, mental health status was found to vary by timing of assessment. At prison entry, self-reported history of previous diagnosis of a mental health disorder was found to be a better predictor of mental illness over three months than screening for psychological distress.

Remembering at the margins: trauma, memory practices and the recovery of marginalised voices at the Berlin-Hohenschönhausen memorial

The Berlin-Hohenschönhausen memorial is located on the site of the main remand prison for people detained by the Stasi, the GDR secret police. In this exploration of memory practices at the site, the concept of marginalisation will be used both in a geographical and in a metaphorical sense. I will first consider the significance of the prison’s relatively peripheral location in the north-eastern district of Lichtenberg. Anchoring the analysis within theories of museology, in particular the museum as experiential site and as site of trauma, I will explore the manner in which the once-marginalised voices of former prisoners now find expression as they conduct guided tours, thus continuing to recall their experiences of imprisonment and isolation at the very site where the trauma occurred. Visitors to the memorial can also view a permanent exhibition documenting the history of political persecution at the prison; eyewitness testimony is inscribed very powerfully into this narrative also. I will explore how past trauma is narrated and performed both during those guided tours and throughout the permanent exhibition. This analysis contends that the Berlin-Hohenschönhausen memorial is an essential space of agency, allowing for the articulation of previously marginalised voices and for their inscription into the post-unification memorial landscape.

Risk behaviour determinants among people who inject drugs in Stockholm, Sweden over a 10-year period, from 2002 to 2012

BackgroundPeople who inject drugs (PWID) frequently engage in injection risk behaviours exposing them to blood-borne infections. Understanding the underlying causes that drive various types and levels of risk behaviours is important to better target preventive interventions.MethodsA total of 2150 PWID in Swedish remand prisons were interviewed between 2002 and 2012. Questions on socio-demographic and drug-related variables were asked in relation to the following outcomes: Having shared injection drug solution and having lent out or having received already used drug injection equipment within a 12 month recall period.ResultsWomen shared solutions more than men (odds ratio (OR) 1.51, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03; 2.21). Those who had begun to inject drugs before age 17 had a higher risk (OR 1.43, 95% CI 0.99; 2.08) of having received used equipment compared to 17–19 year olds. Amphetamine-injectors shared solutions more than those injecting heroin (OR 2.43, 95% CI 1.64; 3.62). A housing contract lowered the risk of unsafe injection by 37–59% compared to being homeless.ConclusionsWomen, early drug debut, amphetamine users and homeless people had a significantly higher level of injection risk behaviour and need special attention and tailored prevention to successfully combat hepatitis C and HIV transmission among PWID.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier, NCT02234167

Alcohol Brief Interventions (ABIs) for male remand prisoners: protocol for development of a complex intervention and feasibility study (PRISM-A)

IntroductionIn the UK, a significant proportion of male remand prisoners have alcohol problems. Alcohol Brief Interventions (ABIs) are an effective component of a population-level approach to harmful and hazardous drinking....

Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in UK Prisoners

ABSTRACTMorbidity related to non-suicidal self-injury is highly prevalent in prisoners. Women carry the largest burden yet gender-specific characteristics are not fully understood. A national prisoner survey in England and Wales was examined for risk factors and correlates associated with non-suicidal self-injury during current prison term and gender among prisoners generally, and females more specifically. The large, representative survey produced a stratified sample of 3142 prisoners (1121 male sentenced prisoners, 1250 male remand prisoners and 771 female prisoners). Prevalence of non-suicidal self-injury was 6.6% (5.7% among males and 9.6% among females). Female gender conferred a significantly higher risk (OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.32 – 2.38, p < 0.001). The most prominent variables that appeared important in the relationship between female gender and non-suicidal self-injury were: past sexual abuse, previous suicide attempt, mental health problems in prison, current medication use, unwanted sexual attention in prison and presence of anxiety disorder.

Understanding the Barriers to Prisoners’ Participation in Sport Activities

This study investigates the barriers and the predictors of these barriers that impede prisoners’ participation in sport activities. Data are derived from a project in a remand prison in Belgium ( N = 486). Findings indicate that prisoners have strong preferences for other activities (e.g., work, visiting), as well as experiencing institutional barriers to sport activity. Findings show that age and time served, in particular, have an influence on the experience of the different types of barriers. Based on the research findings, the article concludes by discussing paths for further research and implications for policy and practice.

Differences in executive functioning between violent and non-violent offenders.

A growing body of neuropsychological and neurobiological research shows a relationship between functioning of the prefrontal cortex and criminal and violent behaviour. The prefrontal cortex is crucial for executive functions such as inhibition, attention, working memory, set-shifting and planning. A deficit in these functions - a prefrontal deficit - may result in antisocial, impulsive or even aggressive behaviour. While several meta-analyses show large effect sizes for the relationship between a prefrontal deficit, executive dysfunction and criminality, there are few studies investigating differences in executive functions between violent and non-violent offenders. Considering the relevance of identifying risk factors for violent offending, the current study explores whether a distinction between violent and non-violent offenders can be made using an extensive neuropsychological test battery. Male remand prisoners (N = 130) in Penitentiary Institution Amsterdam Over-Amstel were administered an extensive neuropsychological test battery (Cambridge Automated Neuropsychological Test Battery; CANTAB) measuring response inhibition, planning, attention, set-shifting, working memory and impulsivity/reward sensitivity. Violent offenders performed significantly worse on the stop-signal task (partial correlation r = 0.205, p = 0.024), a task measuring response inhibition. No further differences were found between violent and non-violent offenders. Explorative analyses revealed a significant relationship between recidivism and planning (partial correlation r = -0.209, p = 0.016). Violent offenders show worse response inhibition compared to non-violent offenders, suggesting a more pronounced prefrontal deficit in violent offenders than in non-violent offenders.

Release on Parole: Criminal Legal and Penal Aspects

The article analyzes the material criteria for assessing the degree of correction of the sentenced to imprisonment according to a range of socially significant requirements necessary for a positive solution to the issue of release on parole. The authors provide statistics on the number of exempted from serving the sentence of imprisonment following the application for parole. Conclusions about the causes of the reduction of the total number of petitions to the Court made by the sentenced to imprisonment are drawn. The authors consider the problems of application of release on parole to the convicted having committed offences of low-to-medium severity and having spent long time in custody in a remand prison. They make suggestions on improvement of legal regulation on the use of release on parole for this category of convicts.

Perspectives of Prison Privatization as a Solution to the Prison System Crisis in Croatia

This paper presents arguments supporting the statement that the Croatian prison system has been in a crisis for years and presents pros and cons of introducing prison privatization as a possible solution/remedy as observed by researchers, journalists, government officials and the prison staff and prisoners themselves in other countries that have previously introduced or still use private prisons as a way of dealing with excess number of prisoners, which, in vast majority of cases, was/is the primary, but not the only incentive for turning to the private sector for help. The initial section of the paper focuses on defining the terms „prison system crisis“ and „prison privatization“ and classifying the possible models of prison privatization based on available research papers and articles published from the late 1980s onward, after which an brief overview of the prison privatization process worldwide since the beginning of the modern prison privatization process is given. The central part of the paper gives: 1) an answer to whether prison privatization is even legally achievable in Croatia, and if not, what changes need to be done in that regard, and 2) an overview of the overall condition of the prison system in Croatia based on several parameters as they change through the years (2005-2014). Parameters presented, defined and analysed include, but not exclusively: available prisons and penitentiaries, prison capacity, prison population, prisoner flow, imprisonment rate, remand prison, misdemeanour prison, supletory prison, recidivism rate, parole, prison violence, suicide attempts, the use of force, staff-to-inmate ratio, staff turnover rates, etc. The final section of the paper is dedicated to presenting arguments for and against prison privatization. In the conclusion the author gives his insight on the current situation with the Croatian prison system and whether Croatia should experiment with prison privatization.

STRESS-testing clinical activity and outcomes for a combined prison in-reach and court liaison service: a 3-year observational study of 6177 consecutive male remands.

BackgroundPeople with major mental illness are over-represented in prison populations however there are few longitudinal studies of prison in-reach services leading to appropriate healthcare over extended periods.AimsWe aimed to examine measures of the clinical efficiency and effectiveness of a prison in-reach, court diversion and liaison service over a 3 year period. Secondly, we aimed to compare rates of identification of psychosis and diversion with rates previously reported for the same setting in the 6 years previously. We adopted a stress testing model for service evaluation.MethodAll new male remand committals to Ireland’s main remand prison from 2012 to 2014 were screened in two stages. Demographic and clinical variables were recorded along with times to assessment and diversion. The DUNDRUM Toolkit was used to assess level of clinical urgency and level of security required. Binary logistic regression was used to assess factors relevant to diversion.ResultsAll 6177 consecutive remands were screened of whom 1109 remand episodes (917 individuals) received a psychiatric assessment. 4.1 % (95 % CI 3.6–4.6) had active psychotic symptoms. Levels of self-harm were low. Median time to full assessment was 2 days and median time to admission was 15.0 days for local hospitals and 19.5 days for forensic admissions. Diversion to healthcare settings outside prison was achieved for 5.6 % (349/6177, 95 % CI 5.1–6.3) of all remand episodes and admissions for 2.3 % (95 % CI 1.9–2.7). Both were increased on the previous period reported. Mean DUNDRUM-1 and DUNDRUM-2 Triage Security Scores were appropriate to risk and need.ConclusionsWe found that a two-stage screening and referral process followed by comprehensive assessment optimised identification of acute psychosis. The mapping approach described shows that it is possible for a relatively small team to sustainably achieve effective identification of major mental illness and diversion to healthcare in a risk-appropriate manner. The stress-testing structure adopted aids service evaluation and may help advise development of outcome standards for similar services.

Legal Terms Used in Reception Order and their Relevance to Judicial Process.

Introduction:Law governs the admission and management of involuntary admissions of mentally ill persons who are admitted under the provisions of the mental health act. The court directs the doctor to take charge of such persons. In the further dealings of such person the medical officer of the psychiatric facility comes across legal terms, which require understanding so that patients could be dealt with properly. Various terms such as accused, under police custody, judicial custody, remand prisoner, or under trial prisoner are used to denote their legal status. It is imperative for the medical officer to understand the nuances in the meanings of these terms. There are many times when the relevant section under which the admission is ordered is not found in the reception order. In these cases the terminology by which the patient is mentioned throws a light on the status of the patient. Towards this aim a study was carried out to assess the awareness and understanding of such terms by the faculty and post- graduates of a tertiary care hospital that deals with the admission and care of such patients.Method:They were administered a questionnaire containing these terms and asked to provide the meaning of these terms.Results:The results showed that nearly half the faculty and students were not having clarity in awareness or understanding of the terms.Discussion:Hence these terms and their meanings were gleaned from various judgments. The proper meaning of these terms and their use in judicial process and their importance is discussed.

Transfers from prison to hospital under Sections 47 and 48 of the Mental Health Act between 2011 and 2014

In England and Wales, prisoners with mental disorder of such severity as to warrant inpatient treatment may be transferred to hospital under the Mental Health Act. UK Government guidance recommends that this process should be completed within 14 days; however, evidence suggests that in many cases it can take much longer. This retrospective service evaluation of 64 male prisoners, who were transferred under Section 47 or Section 48, aimed to evaluate transfer durations. The mean time from referral to admission was 76 days. Prisoners with a psychotic disorder were admitted more quickly. Remand prisoners were admitted more quickly than sentenced prisoners. Findings suggest that, in the UK the transfer time of prisoners under Sections 47 and 48 of the Mental Health Act continues to far exceed the 14-day target which raises concern about equivalence of care for prisoners. Our findings support arguments for fundamental amendments to the admissions process.

Key successes and challenges in providing mental health care in an urban male remand prison: a qualitative study.

PurposeThis study aimed to describe the workings of an urban male remand prison mental health service exploring the key challenges and successes, levels of integration and collaboration with other services.MethodA purposive sampling was used to recruit key prison and healthcare professionals for in-depth interviews. A thematic analysis was used to analyse transcripts based on an initial coding frame of several predefined themes. Other key themes were also identified.ResultsTwenty-eight interviews were conducted. Prisoners referred to the service had complex, sometimes acute mental illness requiring specialist assessment and treatment. Key successes of the in-reach service included the introduction of an open referral system, locating a mental health nurse at reception to screen all new prisoners and a zoning system to prioritise urgent or non-urgent cases. Achieving an integrated system of healthcare was challenging because of the numerous internal and external services operating across the prison, a highly transient population, limited time and space to deliver services and difficulties with providing inpatient care (e.g., establishing the criteria for admission and managing patient flow). Collaborative working between prison and healthcare staff was required to enable best care for prisoners.ConclusionsThe prison mental health in-reach service worked well in assessing and prioritising those who required specialist mental health care. Although the challenges of working within the prison context limited what the in-reach team could achieve. Further work was needed to improve the unit environment and how best to target and deliver inpatient care within the prison.

Successes and unintended consequences of the Northern Territory's smoke-free prisons policy: results from a process evaluation.

In 2013, the Northern Territory was the first Australian jurisdiction to introduce a smoke-free policy for all correctional facilities. We report on a process evaluation to identify what worked well, key challenges and unintended consequences. We interviewed 87 people, comprising remand, medium-security and low-security prisoners; visiting family members; and prison staff (including prison management and health workers). A realist evaluation approach was used. A long lead-in time, collaborative planning and a comprehensive communication strategy were vital for generating support for the policy and ensuring a smooth transition, with no riots or major incidents. Many prisoners expressed a preference for cessation support options other than nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). An unintended consequence was misuse of NRT patches. A comprehensive approach to creating support among staff and prisoners is important for smooth implementation of policies for smoke-free prisons. Planning should include assessment of prisoners' preferred form of cessation support and strategies to minimise NRT diversion.