Short-term Prisoners Research Articles

Radical hope and processes of becoming: Examining short-term prisoners’ imagined futures in England & Wales and Norway

Prisoners’ hopes for a life without suffering—without causing and experiencing harm—are embedded in practices of ethical becoming and ideas of transcendence. These hopes are somehow both more banal and complex than the literature on hope generally suggests; they emerge because of lack and are signs of despair, rather than realistic prospects or opportunities. Based on longitudinal interview data ( N = 452) with short-term prisoners in Norway and England & Wales, this article shows how hope functions as an orientation through different phases of a prison sentence as well as post-release regardless of whether it materializes. With inspiration from Lear’s idea of ‘radical hope’, I describe prisoners’ hopes as a mode of living with more emphasis on where hope comes from rather than what it leads to, thus following recent prompts to distinguish between hopes derived from opportunities from deeper hopes grounded in despair. I outline prisoners’ pain upon entry into custody and show how their ‘ground projects’—the things without which they would not care to go on with their lives—become clear when they are taken away. In this conceptualization, short-term prisoners’ hopes are in many ways a manifestation of despair fused with ethical deliberations on what kind of person one wishes to become and to whom one owes something.

The Impact of Covid-19 on Prisons and Penal Policy in Germany

ABSTRACT In Germany, the situation of prisons before the outbreak of the Covid-19-pandemic was quite relaxed as the prison population was in decline and overcrowding not a problem. However, there was a special problem with fine defaulters, who comprise about 10% of the daily adult German prison population. Short-term prisoners in general are a problem resulting in a large influx of possibly infected people. Since March 2020 all German Federal states stopped (or reduced) incarcerating fine defaulters and some states went further, not executing prison sentences of up to one or even up to three years. The prison population dropped from about 77 per 100,000 inhabitants to 67. Prison conditions, however, worsened because of restricted contacts of prisoners with the outside world. On the other side, access to internet communication was introduced in order to compensate the lockdown of personal visits and of prison leaves. Since June some of the restrictions were repealed, as the pandemic was under control and almost no infections were observed for prisoners. Visits and prison leaves gradually are allowed again in a limited way. Further crime policy considerations to abolish or reduce fine default and other short-term imprisonment are discussed.

Post-release supervision for short-term prisoners: Thematic review

Post-release supervision for short-term prisoners: Thematic review

Through the Gate: The implementation, management and delivery of resettlement service provision for short-term prisoners

This paper draws upon research documenting the implementation, management and delivery of Through the Gate service provision in one case study area across an 18-month period. In referring to interviews and focus groups with professionals, male prisoners, and the families of these men, the paper provides a critical examination of the practice implications of administering Through the Gate provision in a resettlement prison. In doing so we reflect upon the changes in organisational structures, the evolution of occupational culture(s), and on the impact on multi-agency partnership working practice evident within this Transforming Rehabilitation led period of transitional change.

Different yet similar? Prisoners versus psychiatric patients – A comparison of their mental health

BackgroundPrevious research indicates that prisoners have severe psychological distress. To assess their distress level and potential need for treatment, the present study compared the subjective psychological distress of long- and short-term prisoners with that of psychiatric and forensic patients. MethodsLong- (n=98) and short-term prisoners (n=94) and forensic (n=102) and psychiatric (n=199) patients completed the German versions of the Symptom Checklist Revised (SCL-90-R) and Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). ResultsIn general, long-term prisoners showed the same level of mental distress as psychiatric patients and more than that reported by forensic patients. Short-term prisoners reported the least level of distress. Long- but not short-term prisoners showed clinically significant results on the scales for depression, paranoid ideation, and psychosis. ConclusionsThe improvements in psychiatric treatment for inmates demanded by many stakeholders need to differentiate between long- and short-term prisoners. Because depression seems to cause the most psychological distress among inmates, suicide prevention seems to be an important issue in prisons.

Developing a process evaluation model in the GASP (groups for alcohol-misusing short-term prisoners) trial

Conducting a process evaluation of a complex intervention allows researchers to examine mechanisms of change not captured elsewhere. The MRC has published guidance[1] to support development of a streamlined approach and for reporting across public health interventions generally. Given the complex nature of the prison environment and in particular the many contextual factors that can impact on intervention delivery, a process evaluation is essential in a trial conducted in this setting. However, little guidance exists on the tailoring of process evaluations for complex environments where contextual factors may have a particularly significant impact. In this paper we present a process evaluation model for the Groups for Alcohol-misusing Short-term Prisoners (GASP) trial, following MRC guidance.

Impulsiveness Among Short-Term Prisoners with Antisocial Personality Disorder

The study aimed to investigate the correlation between impulsiveness and the antisocial personality disorder among short-term prisoners. The impulsiveness was diagnosed by the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS). Short-term prisoners with antisocial personality disorder scored significant higher marks on the BIS total scale than those without any personality disorder. In detail, they scored higher marks on each subscale regarding attentional, motor and nonplanning impulsiveness. Moderate and high effects were calculated. It is to be considered to regard impulsivity as a conceptual component of antisociality.

Methadone prescribing in local prisons in England

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate some of the wider aims and potential consequences of maintaining remand and short-term prisoners on methadone, rather than providing them with a rapid detoxification on first reception into prison. Consideration is given to the effects of methadone prescribing on treatment engagement; drug-related violence; treatment choice, including detoxification, maintenance and reduction doses; recidivism; and through care. Design/methodology/approach – The author draws on qualitative data gathered during a wider study involving drug-using prisoners and prison drug workers exploring the influence of the therapeutic working alliance on outcomes in prison-based drug treatment. Findings – Whilst participants reported advantages to the prescribing of methadone in prisons, such as reduced levels of bullying and drug-related violence in the prisons, they were also critical of many aspects of methadone prescribing which were intended to increase treatment choice, but in pra...

Valuing Desistence? A Social Return on Investment Case Study of a Throughcare Project for Short-Term Prisoners

A social return on investment (SROI) has been widely promoted by both third sector organisations and the Scottish Government reflecting greater demands for financial accountability among the voluntary/third sector and charities who are under increasing pressure to evidence their effectiveness. There has been little academic scrutiny of the use of the SROI by human service agencies in the field of criminal justice where the impact of desistence from crime is valued, but the quality of data in social agencies is often problematic. This paper draws from the evaluation of the Routes out of Prison Project (RooP), a peer support prison throughcare initiative, to provide a case study of how the SROI model might be applied positively to a criminal justice context and provide a consistent framework for valuing and comparing initiatives aimed at promoting desistence from crime. The paper provides an overview of both the RooP and the SROI, before examining the issues raised by RooP and the advantages and limitations of SROI in this context.

Psychische Symptombelastung bei Kurz- und Langzeitgefangenen in Deutschland

Previous studies have indicated high prevalence rates of mental disorders among prisoners. Based on a sample of 98 male German long-term prisoners and 94 male German short-term prisoners, psychiatric symptoms were comparatively assessed by means of the brief symptom inventory (BSI). The study showed a considerable increased in psychological stress, especially with regard to long-term prisoners. In this context a significant difference (p<0.01) was found between short-term and long-term prisoners where 65% of long-term prisoners and 40% of short-term prisoners showed a noticeable increase in the amount of psychological stress. Furthermore, high prevalence rates of a history of attempted suicide (29.7%) and self-injurious behavior (43.2%) were found. The following clinical implications are deduced from this study: there is a general need for treatment during imprisonment, especially with respect to long-term prisoners. In addition, the high rates of attempted suicide and self-injurious behavior require a focus on a more elaborated crisis management as well as psychotherapeutic treatment for this population.

Negative life events and self-control as correlates of self-assessed re-offending probability among Finnish prisoners

This article examines the correlates of self-assessed re-offending probability (SARP) in a sample of Finnish short-term prisoners. The research focuses on the role of factors related to social control when individual self-control is held constant, and explores how selected prison activities relate to SARP. The associations between social control and re-offending probability manifest some erosion when self-control and criminality are factored in, a finding that replicates prior studies. However, several variables capturing a person’s ties to social control institutions remained robust correlates of SARP. Having many siblings, living in a nuclear family during childhood, parental supervision during childhood and youth, and avoiding negative events in adulthood appear to reduce the number of offences projected to the future. In prison, work participation, participation in alcohol abuse treatment, and remorse for past crimes are associated with reduced SARP. We draw on cross-sectional data combining a quantitative survey ( N = 351) and qualitative interviews ( N = 37).

Die Prävalenz psychischer Erkrankungen bei Gefängnisinsassen mit Kurzzeitstrafe

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of mental disorders among prisoners with a short prison term. We investigated 102 participants with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders (SCID I and II) and the Symptom Check List (SCL-90). We found a lifetime-prevalence of mental disorders (axis I) of 83 %. 80 % of the participants showed at least one personality disorder. These results indicate that short-term prisoners are a population which is highly troubled in a psychiatric sense and shows a need of treatment in prison.

What works in resettlement? Findings from seven Pathfinders for short-term prisoners in England and Wales

This article presents findings from the evaluation of Phase One of the resettlement ‘Pathfinder’, which was funded under the Home Office Crime Reduction Programme. Seven projects (four probation-led and three run by voluntary agencies) targeted the resettlement needs and/or offending behaviour of adults sentenced to prison for under 12 months, who are currently not subject to post-release supervision. All participants received help with welfare needs, and some attended a short cognitive motivational programme. The results suggest that such interventions can significantly reduce the problems faced by this frequently neglected group, as well as having a positive effect on their attitudes to crime. There was also some evidence of reductions in reconviction, especially among those who maintained contact with mentors after release. The findings have implications for the Government's resettlement agenda, as set out in the Reducing Re-offending National Action Plan, as well as for NOMS policy and practice. The shelving of plans for the introduction of ‘Custody Plus’, it is argued, creates a risk that potentially effective ‘through the gate’ work with short-termers will not come to fruition.

An evaluation of service provision for short-term and remand prisoners with drug problems

The authors discuss the background and potential policy implications of a research project evaluating community support services for released prisoners with drug problems. They argue that while short-term and remand prisoners pose particular problems, success with these groups in terms of dealing with their drug misuse would offer clear benefits both to the community and to individual prisoners themselves. Other problems, such as the complexities associated with partnership working and the difficulties of bridging the prison/community divide are explored.

The Prison Service Drug Strategy: The Extent to which Prisoners Need and Receive Treatment

Abstract: This article discusses availability of drug treatment in English and Welsh prisons, within the broader context of drugs-and-crime issues. The article draws on a large pre-release survey of prisoners. Nearly two-thirds of those reporting problems staying off drugs before they were imprisoned subsequently received some treatment in prison, while one in ten went on an intensive rehabilitation programme. However, long-sentence prisoners were disproportionately likely to receive treatment. Outstanding challenges include a need to improve access to different types of treatment, especially for short-term prisoners, if treatment is to play as full a part as possible in addressing prisoners' drug problems and reducing reoffending.

Resettlement of Short-term Prisoners: some new approaches

While the ‘through the gate’ arrangements for the resettlement of medium-term and long-term prisoners still leave much to be desired, since 1968 such offenders have at least received some professional advice, assistance and access to services after release through parole (later ACR and DCR) supervision. Increasingly, too, prisons have helped them prepare for release, through sentence planning, rehabilitative programmes, job training, ‘custody to work’ initiatives, and so on. Short-term prisoners, by contrast, remain little better off in these respects than their predecessors in the late nineteenth century, when the main hope for assistance lay in charitable and religious groups which set up missions outside prison gates. Most still spend their sentences in overcrowded local prisons, with little or no sentence planning, limited access to treatment or training, and only rudimentary preparation for release.

Drugs Throughcare in a Local Prison: a process evaluation

This paper discusses the implementation process of a throughcare project for short-term and remand prisoners with substance misuse problems in a local prison. The aim of the Project was to assess the needs of such prisoners and refer them on to outside agencies on release. The introduction of a new group of workers into such a highly structured environment as a prison without adequate preparation and induction and at a sensitive time, led to considerable difficulties in the short term. Despite this, the Project saw more than 1000 inmates in its first 9 months of existenceÂthe great majority of whom were heroin users, and about half of whom had not been in contact with any drug agencies/services in the community. While the effectiveness of the Project within the prison cannot be faulted, its success in getting prisoners to contact agencies on release remains unclear. The relevance of the Project to the CARAT scheme is noted.

Alcohol and crime. I. Self-reported alcohol consumption of Scottish prisoners.

SUMMARY. ?den prisoners drink much more than other men o] the same age in Scotland. There have been several studies of the relationship between alcohol and crime in terms of the self-reported prevalence of alcoholism in prisoners, an estimated 33-50% of those imprisoned for crimes other than public drunkenness being defined as excessive drinkers (e.g., 1, 2). Shorttermers tended to show higher drinking rates than long-termers (3). Little is known, however, about the actual drinking habits of prisoners. The present study, which is part of a larger project investigating many factors affecting recidivism, seeks to provide a quantitative account of selfreported weekly alcohol consumption by a group of short-term prisoners in Glasgow. METHOD

The Granting of Work Release

The process of granting work release is analyzed systematically and empirically. Administrative data on a 10% random sample of the incarcerated male North Carolina prisoners in November 1975 provided the basis for a path analysis. High custody grade was found to have a very strong direct path with the granting of work release, and marital status had a weaker path with it. Court recommendation had an indirect path to work release by positively affecting custody grade. Older prisoners and those with less serious crimes were more likely to receive court recommendations for the granting of work release. For short-term prisoners, strong direct paths between court recommendation and both work release status and custody grade were observed. Work release appears typically to be a sanction for successful performance in a long career in a prison system, and to be effected directly by court recommendation for some prisoners at time of sentencing.

Time served and institutional misconduct: Patterns of involvement in disciplinary infractions among long-term and short-term inmates

This article addresses a number of questions about prison misconduct among long-term and short-term prisoners. Previous studies of institutional misconduct have found an inverse relationship between age and rule breaking and negligible relationships between time served and infraction rates. The data presented here show that the infraction rates of long-term inmates are significantly lower than the rates for short-term prisoners, even in the early years of confinement. However, age is an important variable that intervenes in the relationship, especially in the older-age categories. The types of infractions committed by long-term and short-term inmates are quite similar. The temporal pattern of infraction behavior for short-term inmates provides support for Wheeler's model of an inverted U-shaped curve of prison adjustment, while the pattern for long-term inmates does not fit Wheeler's model. The data suggest that long-term inmates adapt to their situation in ways that are distinguishable from short-term prisoners.