International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

Patterson, Tess; Egan, Richard; Gross, Julien; Leov, Jessica; Hobbs, Linda; La Rooy, David

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x231172638pmid: 37178125

The present study examines a unique Cook Island approach to the rehabilitation and support of men, particularly those who have been convicted of criminal offending or who are experiencing other mental health or interpersonal difficulties. The culturally appropriate method of enabling change is offered via a community-based 24-hr mentoring system to support men. Run by men, the program is based on traditional Pacific ways of male mentoring in which one man helps another. This study examines the male mentoring program via qualitative analyses of semi-structured interviews. Seven men who had experienced mentoring and six mentors who deliver the program describe the mentoring system and their experiences. The study identifies several perceived benefits or themes in relation to the program. The unique Cook Islands’ male mentoring program is viewed as beneficial in that it allows males to be open and supported to make change to be re-absorbed into the community, have healthy functioning, and reduce re-offending via the ongoing supportive care.

Meijer, Julia J.; Souverein, Fleur; Collot d’Escury, Annematt M.; de Heide, Bram W. F.; Koopman, Laura A. C. M.; van Domburgh, Lieke; Mulder, Eva

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x231159875pmid: 36892009

Youngsters with intellectual disabilities are overinvolved within the youth justice system. The aim of this study was to explore the suitability of a small-scale community-integrated approach for justice involved youngsters with intellectual disabilities. This study compared the numbers of transfers, the number, type, and rate of change in incidents, and the possible mediating effect of resilience thereon, between 40 youngsters with and 19 youngsters without intellectual disabilities, placed in a small-scale facility. There were no differences in the number of transfers, the number, type, and rate of change in incidents, and no mediating effect of resilience was found. A small-scale community integrated approach for youth justice facilities can be suited to provide tailored placement for youngsters with intellectual disabilities, given the presence of protective factors and motivation. Both youngsters with and without intellectual disabilities showed a low number of incidents and were able to continue or initiate structural daytime activities.

Hart, Aaron; Gelb, Karen; Martinovic, Marietta

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x231168688

Practice frameworks for programs supporting people to transition between prison and community are a critical resource for service agencies, researchers and policy makers. Although reintegration programs are often commissioned with reference to Risk-Needs-Responsivity and the Good Lives Model, these frameworks lack specificity for practical program design. Following recent meta-theoretical guidelines, we articulate a practice framework for reintegration programs over three levels: (1) principles and values; (2) knowledge related assumptions; and (3) intervention guidelines. Level 1 is drawn from the capability approach, which frames the goal of increasing the substantive freedom of individuals. Level 2 is drawn from desistance theory, which grounds claims that sustained cessation of offending is enabled by changes in people’s self-labels and narrative, relationships with friends and family, access to resources, and community participation. Level 3 is drawn from throughcare service design and structures practice into seven domains. This framework has potential to reduce rates of reincarceration.

Yalçın, Melikenaz; Arıtürk, Seda; Görgü Akçay, Nimet Serap; Tekinsav Sütcü, Serap

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x231165418pmid: 37085985

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral group therapy (CBGT) for anger management in Juvenile Delinquents. The therapy program consisted of eight sessions including relaxation, self-instruction, cognitive restructuring, and assertiveness training techniques. The therapy program has been conducted for juvenile delinquents in one of the juvenile prisons in Turkey. Sixty juvenile delinquents, aged between 14 and 18, who met the inclusion criteria (treatment = 30, control = 30), were included at the beginning of the study. To evaluate the effectiveness of the program, State Trait Anger and Expression Inventory (STAXI), and Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) were administered as pre-test. At the end of the therapy program, final analysis was conducted on 35 participants (20 therapy group, 15 control group) due to participants dropout. Mixed ANOVA was conducted to examine the time (pre-test and post-test) and group effects (therapy and control group). Results showed that the participants in the therapy group showed a significant decrease in trait anger and anger expression scores, both subscales of STAXI and in the hostility subscale of BSI; a statistically significant increase in the anger control scores of the subscale of STAXI when compared to the control group. In conclusion, this culturally attuned CBGT for anger management may be applicable for Juvenile Delinquents in Turkey.

Nelson, Victoria; Victor, Grant; Comartin, Erin; Zaller, Nick; Kubiak, Sheryl

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x231176015pmid: 37269128

Rural jails are increasingly contributing to the overall jail population and little is known about how they differ from non-rural jails. This study compares demographic, behavioral health and criminal/legal histories of 3,797 individuals who booked into three rural jails and seven non-rural jails. In addition, the study assessed how jails identify mental illness, which was compared to an objective screening instrument (Kessler-6). Individuals in rural jails were more likely to be white, female, have a history of mental health services, misuse substances, and to recidivate. After controlling for these differences, they had 1.5 times greater odds of having a mental illness but lower odds of being identified by the jails. Individuals in rural jails have more behavioral health needs and other criminogenic risk factor and their needs are less likely to be identified by jail staff, which may result in poor connection to diversion or treatment opportunities.

Heynen, Evelyn; Hoogsteder, Larissa; van Vugt, Eveline; Schalkwijk, Frans; Stams, Geert-Jan; Assink, Mark

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x231172648pmid: 37212305

There is vast empirical evidence showing that juvenile delinquency is associated with delays in moral development, including moral judgment, empathy, and self-conscious emotions (guilt and shame). Consequently, interventions have been developed that target moral development of juvenile delinquents to reduce criminal offense recidivism. However, a comprehensive synthesis of studies examining the effectiveness of these interventions was not yet available. The present meta-analysis of (quasi-)experimental research therefore examined the effects of interventions that target moral development of youth engaged in delinquent behavior. Interventions that targeted moral judgment (11 studies and 17 effect sizes) showed a significant and small-to-medium effect on moral judgment (d = 0.39), with intervention type as a significant moderator, but no significant effect on recidivism (d = 0.03; 11 studies and 40 effect sizes). No (quasi-)experimental studies were found that targeted guilt and shame in juvenile offenders, and an insufficient number of studies (i.e., only two) were found to conduct a meta-analysis of interventions that target empathy. The discussion focuses on potential ways to improve moral development interventions for youth engaged in delinquent behavior, and provides suggestions for future research.

Ohayon, Sarel; Ronel, Natti

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x221144292pmid: 36604791

The research literature on the recovery and growth processes of the homeless population is limited and lacking—particularly with regard to the recovery and growth potential of that population, and its recovery capital (RC) dynamics. This qualitative study fills the research gap by examining the recovery process on its various manifestations, the formation of RC, the patterns of coping with distress, and the growth processes experienced. Ten semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with participants from a homeless hostel. The results show how a population with low or depleted RC, in a state of extreme distress, and in the throes of a bottom-up experience, succeeds in developing RC on a personal, social, and spiritual level—and through it, also reaching post-crisis growth. This study yields innovative terminology to describe the coping patterns and their development in three stages—economical coping, liminal stage of resources mustering, and resourceful coping—and a model to explain the phenomenon, and re-conceptualize it.

Furse, Gracie; Kitson-Boyce, Rosie

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x231159879pmid: 36912264

Successful reintegration following prison for those with sexual convictions is a key aim of criminal justice policy. Whilst there is a wealth of research detailing the desistance and reintegration process of current Core Member’s (CMs) within Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA), there is limited research that captures the experiences of ex-CMs once the support of the volunteers had ceased. In addition to this, there is limited research that focuses on the impact COVID-19 has had upon those convicted of sexual offences, living within the community following a CoSA. This study aimed to explore these experiences finding that whilst volunteers helped some ex-CMs to form their own support networks, some ex-CMs appeared to rely more upon informal community support. Participants also maintained fears of their past being discovered and thus, avoided transparency, which is valuable for reintegration. In relation to the pandemic, COVID-19 was recognized as having some detrimental effects for ex-CMs, however, positive impacts and adaptability were also discussed. Conclusions drawn from the analysis provide implications for future multi-perspective and longitudinal research.

Singer, Alexa J.; Kopak, Albert M.; Hoffmann, Norman G.

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x231188234pmid: 37482762

Most jails are in rural areas, and many adults who pass through these facilities experience behavioral health needs. Evidence suggests mental health conditions (MHCs) and substance use disorders (SUDs) may be linked to an increased risk for jail readmission, but most work documenting this relationship uses vague measures, outdated diagnostic information, has been conducted in large metropolitan jails, or has demonstrated significant variability between facilities. This multisite study examined the associations between specific MHCs, SUDs, and jail readmission among 675 adults from four rural jails. Descriptive statistics and multivariate analyses indicated rural jail populations are likely to present MHCs, especially major depression and PTSD, at higher rates than those found in national estimates. SUDs were also observed at rates higher than those typical of national surveys, and particular SUDs were significantly more prevalent in some facilities relative to others. MHCs were not associated with prior jail admission, but SUDs were linked to a greater probability of a previous jail stay. These results highlight the importance of increasing the availability of jail-based, substance-specific treatment programs that cater to individual facilities’ most pressing needs to ultimately reduce jail readmission.

Lazzari, Sarah R.; Franz, Brooke; Lloyd, Caleb D.; Higley, Cole A.; Serin, Ralph C.

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x231188416pmid: 37605859

One creative way that Departments of Corrections offset costs is by relying on volunteers. Prison volunteers are a heterogeneous group, who provide various programs to incarcerated populations. One unique subset of prison volunteers are peer mentors, who are individuals who have experienced criminal justice interventions and have desisted from criminal activities. These mentors provide unique guidance to individuals who are currently incarcerated or are preparing for release. The current study analyzed responses from peer mentors (N = 51) and explored their motivations and experiences. Thematic analysis was utilized to assess self-reported motivations and thoughts. Participants described internal, relational, and religious/community-based motivations for facing the barriers and challenges inherent in returning to prisons, in order to provide volunteer services. There is little known about prison volunteers and less about peer mentors. We encourage future research and policy to capitalize on the unique benefits peer mentors may provide incarcerated individuals.

Einat, Tomer; Shoshan, Oshrat Ben

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x231188227pmid: 37551861

The growing numbers of women with substance use disorder (SUD) and the resulting establishment of dedicated treatment and rehabilitation services have spawned a rich literature on the etiology of addiction among women, their therapy needs and the effectiveness of the treatments they receive. Nevertheless, very few studies have examined the punitive methods applied to women with SUD as part of their treatment. This study examines the positions of thirteen Israeli women with SUD regarding punishments meted out in closed therapeutic communities (TCs), and their experienced short- and long-term implications. The findings suggest ambivalence toward the harsh treatment and punishment in the communities, and to their negative repercussions for the clients’ mental condition after their release. We conclude that the methods of treatment and punishment in these settings must be changed and based on the clients’ strengths and empowerment. Punishments should be meted out in a proportional way, and as a last resource.

van de Weijer, S.G.A.; Kroese, J.

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x231188235pmid: 37464781

Various studies have found that parental divorce is associated with offspring offending during adolescence. Less is known, however, about the mechanisms underlying this association, and it may be possible that this association is spurious rather than causal. In this study, register data on 1,883,794 individuals, who were born in the Netherlands between 1991 and 2001, and their parents were used to examine to what extent parental divorce is associated with offspring adolescent offending. Moreover, a genetically-informed research design, in which children of discordant siblings (N = 59,102) were compared, was applied to examine whether unmeasured familial confounders (i.e., genetic and shared environment confounders) account for this association. Our findings suggest a positive relationship between parental divorce and adolescent offending, yet we find a weaker relationship when comparing offspring of discordant siblings. This suggests that previous studies may have overestimated the strength of the association, as they do not control for unmeasured familial confounders.

Eytan, Sharon; Ronel, Natti

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x231170111pmid: 37154512

This study aims to describe the spiritual characteristics of sexual victimization and the recovery journey of survivors via applying spiritual principles, in order to harness the findings for the development of the theory of Spiritual Victimology. Two research questions were asked: what spiritual principles characterize victimization and recovery from it, and how can spiritual perceptions assist survivors? In a phenomenological study, 17 sexual trauma survivors who view their recovery as a spiritual journey, 10 spiritually-oriented therapists, and 9 spiritual leaders were interviewed. Findings show that a unique, victimized self-centeredness characterized sexual trauma, attaching survivors to a victim identity. By applying spiritual principles, the survivors were gradually opened up to love and developed a new, spiritual sense of self, with better inter- and intra-personal connections, as well as a transpersonal one. This connection was perceived as highly important to survivors’ recovery, freeing them from loneliness and isolation, and helping them to restore some order to the chaos which the trauma and its consequences had imposed on their lives.

Liu, Yang; Zhang, Zili; Chen, Feng

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x231170115pmid: 37154511

Investigate the effect of Nine-in-one-drawing therapy on anxiety, depression, and psychological resilience of community correction objects. Sixty cases of community correction objects with anxiety and depression were randomly divided into experimental group and control group, with 30 cases in each group. The conventional psychological correction methods was adopted in the control group and the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) was used to evaluate. In the experimental group, Nine-in-one-drawing therapy was adopted based on the correction items of the control group, and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, Self-Rating Depression Scale, and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale was used before and after intervention in the two groups for evaluation. The intervention activities in the two groups were carried out five times separately, with a duration of about 1 hour and an interval of 3 days. After the intervention, the anxiety and depression scores of the community correction objects in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group, and the psychological resilience scores were significantly higher than those in the control group (both p < .05). Nine-in-one-drawing therapy can reduce the anxiety and depression of community correction objects, and improve their psychological resilience.

Beaton, Blake; Gerber, Jurg

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x231176003pmid: 37272450

As drug-related offense and illicit drug overdose rates continue to grow in the United States, criminologists have begun to pay more attention to factors influencing illicit drug use as well as effective methods of promoting drug abstinence in treatment programs across the nation. Although much scholarly attention is given to community-based substance abuse treatment programs, a considerably smaller focus of research is devoted to substance abuse treatment programs that are prison-based. Moreover, some of the most effective methods of treating inmates who are addicted to an illicit drug (such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Therapeutic Community, etc.), although praised for their initiative and theoretical effectiveness, are often demonstrated via individualized empirical study that the expected advantages of such programmatic forms of treatment fail to emerge. The present study explores what scholars have discovered regarding the effectiveness of prison-based substance abuse treatment programs, how such findings appear to contradict one another, and why state prison systems should be more transparent regarding their in-house drug treatment programs in their publicly accessible reports that are formulated into cumulative reports on each states’ Bureau of Corrections websites.

Stoliker, Bryce E.; Wangler, Haile; Abderhalden, Frances P.; Jewell, Lisa M.

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x231170112pmid: 37098823

Despite high suicide mortality in U.S. jails, there is limited research into precursors for suicide in this population, such as suicidal ideation. The current study examined the prevalence and correlates of lifetime and jail-specific suicidal ideation among a sample of 196 individuals (137 men) in custody in a U.S. jail. Nearly half the sample had reported lifetime suicidal ideation (45%), whereas 30% had reported jail-specific suicidal ideation. Adjusted correlates of lifetime suicidal ideation included a history of mental illness (OR = 2.79) and drug use (OR = 2.70). Adjusted correlates of jail-specific suicidal ideation included a history of mental illness (OR = 2.74), drug use (OR = 3.16), and a dehumanizing custodial environment (OR = 3.74). Some theoretically and empirically relevant factors were not significantly associated with suicidal ideation. Both expected and unexpected findings are discussed within the context of suicide theory and research, and practical implications are explored.

Fritz, Katlyn C.

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x231170124pmid: 37132586

Many individuals incarcerated in jails suffer from psychiatric disorders and require mental health treatment. However, there has yet to be a study which comprehensively described the prevalence of mental illness diagnoses by demographic variables or compared results to the general population. Data for this study were the Survey of Inmates in Local Jails, 2002. Binary logistic regression was run to compare the prevalence of diagnoses to demographic variables of the jail population. Results were compared to studies in the general population. Males were less likely than females to report five of the seven disorder categories, and employed individuals were less likely to report all seven disorders. The results were consistent with research on the general population. It is important to understand the population of individuals with mental illness in jail so we can better serve them and catch psychiatric disorders early while they are more easily treatable.

Atkins, Deirdre; Maguire, Niamh; Cleere, Geraldine

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x221148127pmid: 36655790

Although sentencing is often described as a human process, the subjective experiences of those subject to sentencing are seldom discussed or highlighted as an important source of guidance for how sentencing might be made more fair, consistent, or proportionate. Tyler’s work on the links between experiences of procedural justice and perceptions of legitimacy in the criminal justice system show that how people are treated during sentencing and/or when serving their sentence matters in that it impacts their long-term compliance with the law. However, we suggest here that it may not only be long-term compliance that is impacted; subjective experiences of imprisonment, in terms of the pains of imprisonment, may also be exacerbated for those whose experiences of the sentencing process are predominantly negative. This article draws on 37 in-depth interviews with Irish prisoners that explored their subjective experiences of their own sentencing in court and how this related to their subjective experiences of their prison sentences. Those who felt they had received unreasonably harsh or unfair sentences, or who felt they were effectively excluded from the sentencing process, were more likely to experience specific pains and increased salience of punishment. The article concludes by arguing that these findings have a role to play in educating sentencers about how their treatment of convicted persons during sentencing can have meaningful, long-term consequences on the subjective experiences of those serving prison sentences.

Kenemore, Thomas K.; In, Bent Seungho

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x231165422pmid: 37042025

A pilot project demonstrating the importance of access to stable housing for people with criminal backgrounds and experiencing homelessness produced exploratory qualitative findings that illuminate the experience of folks who must navigate the carceral state of supervision. Principles of a participatory action paradigm guided development and implementation of the pilot project. Grounded Theory and narrative research principles guided data collection and analysis in the 3-year study. A convenience sample of 27 participants was obtained by the organization’s staff recruiting each of the individuals on behalf of the researchers as they entered the pilot program during the 3 years of pilot activity. Qualitative data collection was carried out during the 3 years of program implementation. A semi-structured open-ended interview script was utilized by the research team as a guide to ensure focus on the experience of participants. Current extreme challenges included living with a criminal background and carrying the weight of a troubled past. Great strength was evidenced in their navigation of their worlds. Essential resources for successful navigation were identified including the use of prayer, religion and spirituality, persistent hopefulness, recognition of personal change, and the use of supportive relationships. Getting stable housing and employment, while important, was not seen as enough in itself to ensure successful reentry. Therefore, relationships that recognize strengths and help navigating inevitable disappointments and challenges must also be incorporated into the available housing, educational, mental health, employment programs, and other services. The findings of this study suggest that practice approaches, services, and policies that are intended to help people with criminal backgrounds must incorporate and emphasize the lived experiences of returning citizens as they navigate the challenging tasks of living in a carceral state.

Bender, Kimberly A.

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x221144287pmid: 36601909

Studies applying procedural justice to the prison context have largely been quantitative and sampled men. These studies have explored prisoner’s procedural justice perceptions of the police and courts, but whether and to what extent their perceptions of the prison officer are associated with procedural justice is unknow. This study extends this research by qualitatively exploring how a sample of women incarcerated in an American prison perceive the role model prison officer and if their perceptions of the model officer are in line with the tenants of procedural justice theory. Findings reveal women’s perceptions of the model prison officer as procedurally just and point to the value of correctional officers developing strategies that enhance the procedural justice aspects of their encounters with women in prison.

Alward, Lucas M.; Viglione, Jill

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x231159882pmid: 36896872

In recent years, Western and non-Western countries have experience increased reliance on probation services. However, prior research indicates that high job demands and ambiguous role responsibilities invoke feelings of stress and suggest the importance of understanding the relationship between stress and burnout and turnover. While past efforts largely focused on correctional officers (COs), less is known about how probation officers (POs) experience burnout and how organizational attributes may influence this relationship. Using survey data of federal POs (N = 80) across eight offices in a southern state, the current study examines the influence of individual characteristics and organizational attributes in predicting burnout and turnover intent. To answer our research questions, we perform a series of linear regression models. Findings suggest the importance of affective commitment for reducing POs’ feelings of burnout and turnover intent. Implications of these findings and directions of future research are discussed.

Hamzani, Achmad Irwan; Aryani, Fajar Dian; Bawono, Bambang Tri; Khasanah, Nur; Yunus, Nur Rohim

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x231165425pmid: 37032543

The Indonesian Muslim community is familiar with restorative justice. The substance of restorative justice is building joint participation between perpetrators and victims through third parties. The objectives of this study are: to describe restorative justice in the traditions of Indonesian Muslim society and to examine the relevance of restorative justice for the settlement of criminal cases in the future. This research uses a philosophical approach, namely legal construction at an ideal level in the future. The results show that the restorative justice approach has strong roots in Indonesian Muslim society, namely deliberation to reach a consensus. Deliberative institutions are held to find solutions that can satisfy all parties. In the future, restoration justice needs to be applied in Indonesia in resolving criminal cases, especially crimes against life. The restorative justice approach offers a different view from the approach applied in the current criminal system.

Clercx, Maartje; Peters-Scheffer, Nienke; Keulen-de Vos, Marije; Schaftenaar, Petra; Dekkers, Denise; van Gerwen, Noortje; Klerk, Anke de; Strijbos, Nicole; Didden, Robert

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x231188238pmid: 37477118

Forensic vigilance is a hypothesized specialty of forensic mental health professionals which seems to play a role in maintaining safety in forensic hospitals. It is unclear exactly how forensic vigilance relates to preventing incidents. We used standardized reports of severe incidents that occurred in forensic hospitals to investigate how forensic vigilance plays a role in the occurrence of incidents. Eight forensic psychiatric hospitals in the Netherlands contributed 69 anonymized incident reports, which were investigated by means of thematic analysis and interpretative phenomenological analysis. Analysis revealed five important themes. Four core skills needed by professionals, namely observation, integration, communication and action, which each need a number of prerequisites (e.g., knowledge). The fifth theme specifies that the professional needs to “connect the dots” meaningfully. This is a highly cyclical process in which the core four skills are steps. The process is unique to the forensic context in terms of how the “dots” are connected and weighed, and which risks need to be considered. We present a model of this process and prerequisites needed in professionals. This model can inform policy makers, aid assessment of and communication between forensic professionals and can form the basis of a training for forensic mental health professionals.

van Koppen, M. Vere; Bruggeman, Mieke; Houston, Rhianne; Harte, Joke M.

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x221144298pmid: 36604814

There is a widespread fear that the measures as a consequence of the worldwide corona pandemic have led to a significant increase in domestic violence and child abuse. The current study uses criminal files from all incidents of domestic violence that were reported to the police in a relatively large city in the Netherlands during 3.5 months before the pandemic and the first 3.5 months from the start of the nationwide shutdown, to compare the characteristics of the incident, the suspect and victim, how the case was handled and the involvement of minors. Results show that levels of domestic violence during the Covid-19-related restrictions did not increase compared to before the pandemic. During the pandemic, suspects were relatively more often men, the violence was less often reciprocal, more often took place inside the homes of suspects and victims, and was more often reported to the police by a witness than before the pandemic. Before and during the pandemic, minors were involved in respectively 34% and 43% of the incidents, mainly as witnesses of the violence between their parents. The results of the study may ease the concerns about the potential threat of domestic violence levels going through the roof during isolating measures such as during a shutdown. Limitations of the study are that official data from a single, but large, city were used and that we were not able to control for seasonal effects.

Criss, Jhala; John, Aesha

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x231159884pmid: 36896879

The article includes a systematic review of therapeutic interventions being used to improve mental health of males and females incarcerated in U.S. jails and prisons. Using pertinent keywords, we searched the following databases: SocINDEX, CINAHL Complete, Medline Complete, PsychINFO, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, and Criminal Justice Abstracts with Full Text for studies published between 2010 and 2021. The initial search yielded 9,622 articles. After screening, 28 articles met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. Review indicated use of a diverse range of interventions to address mental health outcomes including, but not limited to, PTSD, depression, and anxiety. A few studies did not focus on specific mental health outcomes, but rather on behavioral outcomes such as distress, affect, mood, time spent in the hospital, number of acts of self-injury, competency restoration, and wellbeing of the participants. The review includes implications for future research and practice.

Hazama, Kyoko; Katsuta, Satoshi

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x231172651pmid: 37178158

This study explored factors to reduce drug-related recidivism among paroled methamphetamine users in Japan, especially the significance of continuing care and motivation, internationally shown as positively related to better treatment outcomes. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed on 10-year drug-related recidivism data from 4,084 methamphetamine users paroled in 2007 who received a mandatory educational program conducted by professional and volunteer probation officers. Independent variables included participant characteristics, an index of motivation, and the length of parole as a substitute for the duration of continuing care with consideration of the Japanese legal system structures and socio-cultural context. Older age, lower number of previous prison sentences, shorter imprisonment, longer parole, and index of higher motivation were significantly and negatively associated with drug-related recidivism. The results indicate the benefit of continuing care and motivation on treatment outcomes, regardless of the differences in socio-cultural context and criminal justice system.

Froggio, Giacinto; Vettorato, Giuliano; Lori, Massimo

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x231159889pmid: 36992522

Although over the past 2 years several studies have been carried out on the psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on young people, few of them investigated the pandemic as psychosocial strain and its effects on deviant behaviors. According to Agnew’s General Strain Theory, a repeated objective psychosocial strain, such as the pandemic, exerts pressure on deviance when individuals associate with deviant peers and have weak attachment to parents. Using a sample of 568 young Italians (ages: 15–20 years; 65.8% females, 34.2% males) from north, central and south Italy, we tested for the possible correlation between COVID-19 as a repeated psychosocial strain, deviant behaviors and the role of some coping strategies not included in the Agnew’s original theoretical formulation. Results back the thesis that, considering the COVID-19 pandemic as a repeated subjective strain, affect deviance results primarily through association with deviant peers and less through weak attachment with family. The mediating role of coping strategies was found to be weak. The predominant role of the peer group in the genesis of deviant responses to strain will be discussed.

Ricciardelli, Rosemary; Taylor, Micheal; Maier, Katharina; C. Spencer, Dale

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x221144285pmid: 36597277

Internationally, parole work is loaded with tensions, particularly when supervising a people convicted of sex crimes (PCSCs) who, due to their criminal history, are stigmatized and occupy the lowest rungs of the status hierarchy in prison and society more broadly. Drawing on analyses of interview data from federal parole officers (n = 150) employed by Correctional Service Canada, we interpret their perceptions and feelings about overseeing re-entry preparations and processes for the PCSCs on their caseloads. We unpack the “tensions” imbued in parole officers’ internal reflections and negotiation of complexities in their efforts toward supporting client’s rehabilitation efforts, desistance from crime while negotiating external factors (e.g., the lack of available programming), and being responsible for supervising PCSCs. We highlight facets of occupational stress parole officers experience, finding PCSCs may be more compliant when under supervision but may also require more of a parole officer’s resources, including time and energy. We put forth recommendations for greater empirical nuance concerning parole officer work and their occupational experiences and beliefs about PCSC, particularly as related to parole officer health.

Páv, Marek; Sebalo, Ivan; Brichcín, Slavoj; Perkins, Derek

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x231165416pmid: 37157822

Evidence concerning specific paraphilia treatment effectiveness is limited. We present observation data of 127 men convicted of paraphilic sexual offenses who attended inpatient and outpatient follow-up treatment in Czechia. We collected participants’ sociodemographic and treatment-related information, including STATIC-99R scores, and used proportional hazards models to analyze variables’ effect on recidivism risk. Within the observation period, the general recidivism and sexual recidivism rates were 33.1% and 16.5%, respectively, and the sexual contact recidivism rate was 4.7%. The total STATIC-99 score for those who re-offended was 5.65 (SD = 2.11) and for those who did not was 3.98 (SD = 2.02). Recidivism risk was 7.52 times higher for those diagnosed with exhibitionism than with pedophilia, sadomasochism, or antisocial personality disorder. General recidivism is comparable to others’ findings. We attribute the lower sexual contact recidivism rate to the combined effects of psychological and pharmacological treatment, and higher numbers of non-contact offenses to limited antidepressant use.

Ben Yair, Yitzhak; Ozeri, Keshet; York, Alen S.; Ronel, Natti

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x231165424pmid: 37086171

This study addresses the process experienced by youth who started out as volunteering beneficiaries in treatment settings and became volunteers for at-risk youth themselves. Using the phenomenological approach, the study included 10 Israeli interviewees aged 20 to 30 who were regular volunteers. The findings suggested three themes related to the process experienced by the volunteers: (1) perceived altruism—the altruism attributed to the volunteers who had benefited the participants as youths; (2) the identity transformation from beneficiary to benefactor; and (3) acquired altruism—the acquisition of that trait by the participants. Applying the principles of positive criminology, this study shows how attributing altruism to the behavior of the volunteer can serve as fertile ground for acquiring altruism oneself, in a process that eventually results in volunteering for the benefit of others.

Paat, Yok-Fong; Hope, Trina L.; Zamora, Hector; Hernandez, Eddie

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x231172644pmid: 37394821

This study examined predictors of individual general deviance (i.e., substance use, risk-taking, property crime, and interpersonal conflict/violence) within the context of COVID-19, focusing on the role of prior deviance, opportunities for crime, and levels of COVID-19- related stress. Our study showed that while some predictors relating to opportunity and strain were predictive of general deviance during the pandemic, few maintained statistical significance once controls for deviant behavior before the pandemic were included in the analyses, indicating the importance of within-individual behavioral stability over time. Further, respondents who participated in deviance prior to the pandemic were more likely to engage in other forms of criminal and high-risk activities during the pandemic. The close connections between criminal and high-risk behavior may imply that even if overall crime rates decreased during the pandemic, within-person behavioral patterns remained stable.

Craig, Jessica M.; Malvaso, Catia; Farrington, David P.

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x231198808pmid: 37752887

Research has established a relationship between trauma exposure, often conceptualized as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and offending, with some evidence suggesting that both trauma and offending can be transmitted from one generation to the next. Further, while some evidence suggests that experiencing a high number of ACEs is associated with different types of offenses, it is not known whether these associations are similar across generations. The current study aims to address this gap in knowledge by examining the effects of ACEs on different offense types across two generations, utilizing data from a longitudinal study of British male participants and their male children. Results suggest that high ACE scores are associated with several offense types within generations, but the effect of parental ACEs on the subsequent generation’s offending was weak. Alongside a discussion of these findings, study limitations and future research directions are also presented.

Karimi, Yusef; Nussbaum, David; Rezapour-Mirsaleh, Yasser; Mohammadi, Razgar

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x231176008pmid: 37269108

The present study investigated Salafi-Jihadists in terms of mental health. The participants included 12 Salafi-Jihadists living in border areas of Iran, Kurdistan, selected using a purposeful sampling method. This primarily phenomenological case study gathered data, using open-ended interviews, field observations and in-depth clinical interviews. Results indicated that the participants reported no long-standing or acute mental or personality disorder. While they demonstrated abnormalities in their thought process and cognition, they were not severe enough to constitute symptoms of a mental disorder. The results indicate that situational and group factors, in conjunction with identifiable cognitive distortions, may play a more decisive role in fundamentalist radicalization than personality characteristics and mental disorders. Due to discrimination, feelings of oppression, cognitive distortions, and wrong attitudes toward other religious schools, some Muslims have decided to join Salafi-Jihad groups in order to feel a sense of belonging and identity.

Peschak, Jörg

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x231172641pmid: 37158056

Between 2014 and 2018 there was an unprecedented wave of jihadist terrorist activity in Austria that was mostly related to the “Islamic state.” Meanwhile, many individuals have been or are gradually being released from prison. While many were able to disengage, two prevented and sentenced foreign fighters planned attacks in Vienna, one of them succeeded. In order to better understand this type of perpetrator, files of a cohort of 56 convicted jihadist terrorist offenders were analyzed. Half of this cohort were foreign fighters or attempted to become foreign fighters, while others contributed for instance by spreading propaganda, recruiting and assuming leadership. Additionally, a focus group with probation officers and an interview were conducted. The results shed light on various sociodemographic variables showing that there was not one specific profile. Rather, the cohort appeared to be very diverse, being comprised of all genders, age groups and socioeconomic backgrounds. Furthermore, a considerable crime-terror nexus was found. Thirty percent of the cohort had had a criminal past before their engagement in violent extremism. A fifth of the cohort had a prison experience before the arrest for the terrorist offense. The criminal offenses of the cohort were typical for the general population of probation clients which backs the notion that many terrorist offenders belonged to the same population and had switched from “traditional” crime to terrorism.

Graves, Brian D.; Mowbray, Orion; Aletraris, Lydia; Paseda, Oluwayomi; Dias, Clarissa

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x231198804pmid: 37752880

Substance use among criminal justice-involved adults is a significant concern for the rehabilitation and reintegration into their communities. Few have examined broader associations with substance use among those in probation or parole (community supervision) using an assessment of risks and needs with a representative sample. Using an assessment based on risk-need-responsivity principles, this research applies negative binomial analyses to examine sociodemographic, criminal, and other problem-area correlates of substance use risks and needs among a statewide dataset of adults in community supervision. Results indicated that mental health risk/need was the strongest predictor of substance use risk/need. Other risk areas, including criminal thinking, employment/education, and the presence of delinquent associates (peers/family) were associated with substance use. Implications highlight the ongoing call to develop integrated models of care that treat co-occurring disorders among adults in supervision. Additionally, diversion-oriented efforts that prevent adults with complex treatment needs from reentering the justice system are discussed.

Hayes, David

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x231159885pmid: 36932848

Penal subjectivists argue that the severity of punishment ought to be measured in terms of penal subjects’ actual experiences, rather than that intended by sentencing authorities. One challenge that subjectivists must confront, however, is that it is difficult to meaningfully compare the subjective experiences of different individuals, in a way that is sufficiently equitable and consistent to satisfy the requirements of just sentencing. This paper considers the prospects and pitfalls of Ben Crewe’s dimensional approach to the pains of imprisonment as a means of overcoming this challenge during sentencing. Crewe’s ground-breaking work takes the “deprivations and frustrations” of everyday prison life associated with Gresham Sykes, and subjects them to four spatial metaphors that help to trace differences between penal experiences: depth; weight; tightness; and breadth. The applicability of this approach to sentencing decision-making is considered, and implications are drawn for sentencing research agendas.

Kartikaningsih, Ndaru; Lawson, Kelley; Mayhan, Maddy; Spears, Emery; Chew, Olivia; Green, Salaam; Tucker, Sarah C.; Kirklin, Kimberly; Yuen, Hon K.

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x231188228pmid: 37464771

While storytelling or expressive writing has been studied in prisoners, little is known about the impact of these art interventions on ex-offenders. This study aims to evaluate a 6-week expressive writing and storytelling program in a group of nine ex-offenders who attend a peer support group. Quantitative data, including psychological recovery, well-being, hope, social support, and loneliness, was collected at baseline and post-program. Individual interviews were conducted at post-program. Results revealed a significant increase in participants’ psychological recovery as measured by the Recovery Assessment Scale-revised at post-program with an effect size of 0.56. Three themes about participation in the program emerged: safe space for processing and expressing inner feelings, relating to and connecting with peers, and adjusting the way of thinking. Findings showed this program has the potential to improve ex-offenders’ psychological recovery, and provide them with skills to desist from crime and be better serve as peer support workers.

Santos, Gilda; Santos, Margarida; Farrington, David P.; da Agra, Cândido; Castro, Josefina; Cardoso, Carla S.

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x231172645pmid: 37178130

Using an experimental design and a multi-measure and multi-informant approach, the current study sought to evaluate the impact of the early developmental prevention program “ZARPAR”—an intervention designed as a social and cognitive skills training program, that seeks to promote children’s behavioral adjustment. A sample of elementary school children (experimental group n = 37; control group n = 66), attending Portuguese schools, was assessed before and 6 months after the intervention on the program’s key-dimensions: behavioral problems, social skills, and executive functioning. Based on parent and teacher reports, the results largely suggested that the intervention had no effect or, for some dimensions, even the existence of negative outcomes. Possible reasons for these results are discussed. The current study highlights that, despite the overwhelmingly positive message about developmental prevention programs, not all interventions work, thus reinforcing the need for rigorous evaluations, in order to enhance the success of future interventions.

Peled-Laskov, Ronit; Shoham, Efrat; Cojocaru, Lutzy

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x231172649pmid: 37190762

This research examines how participation in the Israeli Prisoner Rehabilitation Authority supervised therapy program for paroled prisoners can reinforce Jewish and Arab prisoners’ locus of control given their cultural diversity. Research participants included 108 paroled prisoners who had taken part in the program during 2019 to 2020. The program appears to have made a positive contribution to participants’ locus of control, particularly among Jewish parolees. For Arab parolees, the program’s strongest contribution was alleviating their apprehensions about returning to prison. Possible Theoretical explanations are offered for this finding, by referring to the concept of “culture-sensitive care” and the potential contribution of a change in perspective regarding the process of ending delinquency.

Farrington, David P.; Malvaso, Catia G.

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x231188231pmid: 37464748

This article aims to identify interactions between harsh discipline and poor supervision and other childhood risk factors (all measured at age 8–10) in predicting delinquency. It analyzes data collected in the Cambridge Study in Delinquent Development (CSDD), which is a prospective longitudinal study of 411 London males first assessed at age 8. Of these males, 26% were convicted between ages 10 and 17. Harsh discipline and poor supervision significantly predicted delinquency, as did 16 other childhood risk factors. Generally, harsh discipline predicted delinquency more strongly in the presence of other risk factors, whereas poor supervision predicted delinquency more strongly in the absence of other risk factors. It is suggested that parent training programs targeting harsh discipline should focus particularly on children and families who possess other risk factors, whereas parent training programs targeting poor supervision should focus particularly on children and families who do not possess other risk factors.

Malekzadeh, Mohammad; Zoladl, Mohammad; Movahedi, Hamed

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x231188230pmid: 37496449

This study aimed to determine the effect of reality therapy training on self-efficacy and resilience in male prisoners. To this end, a randomized controlled trial was conducted with a pre-test, post-test, and a control group. The research questionnaires including the Scherer self-efficacy questionnaire and the Connor-Davidson resilience questionnaire were administered to 300 prisoners. Of them, 78 prisoners who met the inclusion criteria were selected and randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups. The intervention group attended ten 90-min sessions on reality therapy training per week. At the end of the training period, the study groups were required to attend the post-test. The data were analyzed with the SPSS software version 23 and through an independent t-test and a paired t-test. The results at the post-test phase showed a significant increase of self-efficacy and resilience in the experimental group, as compared to the control group (p < .01). Therefore, it is recommended for authorities to improve the self-efficacy and resilience of prisoners through reality therapy trainings.

Enujioke, Sharon C.; Aalsma, Matthew C.; Meagher, Carolyn G.; Hunt, Abby; Hensley, Monique M.; Ott, Mary A.

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x231159878pmid: 36892018

Violence among incarcerated youths is a serious public health issue and an area of marked health disparities. Procedural Justice is an ethical framework to guide policy approaches in the criminal justice system. The purpose of our study was to evaluate youth perception of neutrality, respect, trust, and voice while incarcerated. Young people ages 14 to 21 previously incarcerated in a juvenile detention facility were interviewed regarding their perceptions of procedural justice. Participants were recruited from community-based organizations. Interviews were semi-structured, lasting for 1 hr. Interviews were coded for themes related to procedural justice. Twenty-eight participants were interviewed regarding their experience with procedural justice while incarcerated. Key themes included: Neutrality: Participants felt that they were treated impartially regarding everyone receiving the same punishment for offenses; however, levels of punishments for offenses were inconsistent. Respect: Participants often felt disrespected by staff. Trust: The participants did not feel safe to trust. Voice: Participants felt they had no voice while incarcerated. Previously incarcerated youth perceptions indicated a need for more training in the juvenile detention system to enable staff members to have a better understanding of procedural justice and to appropriately utilize it.

Capinha, Marta; Pereira, Marco; Sousa, Maria do Natal; Rijo, Daniel

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x221148125pmid: 36633014

Intimate partner violence (IPV) has been targeted as a significant concern worldwide, but evidence for the efficacy of perpetrators’ interventions is not undisputable. This article briefly summarizes the evidence about perpetrators’ intervention efficacy, factors associated with recidivism, and evidence-based recommendations, before outlining the assumptions of a new community-delivered intervention aiming to rehabilitate IPV perpetrators: the CONTIGO Program. This program uses an innovative framework, focused on early maladaptive schemas, and combining cognitive, interpersonal, and motivational interview principles. The features of this intervention are discussed, and exploratory results regarding drop-out rates (8%) and recidivism (15.4%) in a sample of 162 court-mandated males are exposed. The detailed presentation of the CONTIGO Program and its intervention model represents a novel contribution that is sorely lacking in the IPV literature and could foster further research and debate about what can be done to effectively intervene with IPV perpetrators.

Wang, Shacheng; Chen, Ying

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x231165428pmid: 37057305

In order to prevent and fight terrorism, a new research area has developed called terrorist financing. An important aspect is the financing of terrorism by Non-Profit Organization (NPO), through transfer funds, terrorist alliances, abuse of NPOs, terrorist recruitment, and false NPOs and agents. Therefore, the NPO counter-terrorist financing strategy was established, considering four major aspects: warning information indicators, internal management mechanisms, international cooperation and information sharing, and counter-terrorist Financing legislation. This paper provides a new way to supervise the terrorist financing of NPOs. First, actual cases should be collected, and viable warning indicators for regulatory agencies and NPOs should be established. Second, internal management mechanisms should be strengthened to actively prevent terrorist activities within NPOs. Third, given the global activity of NPOs and terrorist organizations, information-led international cooperation must be emphasized. Fourth, from the angle of independent counter-terrorist Financing legislation, the gap should be filled in NPO counter-terrorist Financing legislation.

Sörman, Karolina; Fakih, Ayman; Caman, Shilan; Kelley, Shannon E.; Poghosyan, Kamo; Gustavsson, Petter; Edens, John F.; Howner, Katarina

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x231188233pmid: 37599377

The construct validity of the triarchic psychopathy model has yet to be evaluated in the Swedish forensic psychiatric context. We examined associations between the three phenotypic constructs of the triarchic model of psychopathy (i.e., boldness, meanness, disinhibition), self-assessed empathy and anxiety, and clinical variables in 91 individuals undergoing pretrial forensic psychiatric evaluation in Sweden. Participants completed the Triarchic Psychopathy Measure (TriPM) and self-report measures of empathy and anxiety. Clinical variables, including psychiatric diagnoses and criminal behavior, were collected from the forensic psychiatric evaluations (FPE). All three subscales of the TriPM displayed significant and predominantly anticipated correlations with empathy and trait anxiety measures. TriPM Disinhibition was the only subscale with significant associations with the clinical variables collected from the FPEs. The results provide evidence for the reliability and construct validity of the Swedish translation of the TriPM in a pretrial forensic setting.

Cheung, Chau-kiu; Yeung, Jerf W. K.

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x231176019pmid: 37212268

Parental nurturing, including maternal and paternal caring and discussing ethics, is likely to predict violence perpetration in the youth negatively. This prediction stands on social bond theory, which specifies that parents and their bonding are crucial to curb violence perpetration. Nevertheless, the prediction is unclear from adolescence to young adulthood. To clarify this, the present study examines the effects over 6 years, using the panel data of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health on 3,947 U.S. youths. The examination controlled for prior violence perpetration and, thus, its confounding factors. Results showed that paternal nurturing but not maternal nurturing at Wave 1 and Wave 2 consistently displayed statistically significant inverse effects on violence perpetration at Wave 3. However, the significant effects were very weak. Paternal nurturing was very weakly inversely predictive of youth violence perpetration 6 years later. This conclusion implies that promoting paternal nurturing is slightly but not tremendously helpful to prevent violence perpetration in youth later. Meanwhile, practice can capitalize on the features of paternal bonding to deploy male nurturing and role modeling for such prevention.

Verschueren, Sophie; Jeandarme, Inge; Libijn, Ilse; Bogaerts, Stefan

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x221144293pmid: 36604808

Empirical studies on the longitudinal change of risk factors during treatment of forensic psychiatric patients are scarce. Therefore, in the current study, changes in risk factors of 341 high-security forensic psychiatric patients in Flanders were investigated using latent growth curve analyses. Annual assessments of the Historical Clinical Future-Revised (HKT-R) at three time points were considered, starting at time of admission. A significant small improvement was found on the future scale and most future factors. However, the clinical scale did not change significantly and only one of the 14 clinical factors (i.e., problem insight) changed significantly over time. Although the forensic treatment seems to be a slow process, the sensitivity of the HKT-R to detect clinically relevant change is questioned, underscoring the importance of determining whether there are instruments capable of detecting small significant changes over time.

Sakdalan, Joseph; Mitchell, Bianca

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x231176005pmid: 37415459

A review of the current literature on evidence-based violence prevention programs developed for individuals with an intellectual disability (ID) reveals a paucity of direct evidence for this population. In addition, the existing offence-specific programs are primarily grounded in adapted cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) programs designed for the mainstream offender population, which may not be suitable for offenders with co-morbid mental health and personality disorders. The current paper discusses the development of a violence rehabilitation program for offenders with an ID. The focus of the article is on the exploration of the empirically supported risk factors associated with violent offending and the incorporation of these dynamic risk factors into the program modules. A case study example was utilized to examine the process of VRP-ID and how the modules targeted the offenders’ treatment needs. Responsivity issues are addressed by identifying cognitive difficulties experienced by this cohort and the implications for treatment. The Risk/Need/Responsivity (RNR) model and the good lives Model (GLM) are widely used offender rehabilitation models that can be considered the guiding principles in developing this program. Furthermore, it utilizes contemporary therapeutic frameworks such as motivational interviewing (MI), cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and GLM reconceptualization and skills. The program is grounded in trauma-informed principles, which acknowledge this client group’s high prevalence of victimization.

Hennessy, Emily A.; Krasnoff, Paige; Best, David

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x231198810pmid: 37752857

Recovery capital is a strengths-based and multi-level model for examining the process and outputs of recovery and desistance. Recovery capital posits that the more positive resources one accrues, the better the chances of recovery. Oftentimes growth of one’s recovery capital must be initiated through identifying programs in the community to create supportive scaffolding: this may be especially true for individuals involved in the justice system who may experience additional barriers to accessing programming. This manuscript presents the results of a pilot evaluation of the REC-CAP, a recovery-capital oriented system of measurement, planning, and engagement in two drug treatment courts. We include a description of the implementation process and results from surveys and focus groups with the court staff. Results suggests that the trainings were useful and that court staff meaningfully engaged with the REC-CAP system. Court staff felt the REC-CAP provided important information about court clients’ strengths and barriers and suggested next steps for staff to take to guide their clients. Future work should explore how the REC-CAP score profile may change with client progress through the court phases as well as how to incorporate more system level supports for a REC-CAP orientation among probation officers and other court staff.

Agoff, Carolina; Bruno, Matias; Sandberg, Sveinung

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x231198802pmid: 37740451

Life-stories emerge from a wide variety of facts and events in individual lives and weave a selected few of these together to make meaning in the present. They are crucial for constructing identity and influence action by establishing worldviews and a persona that narrators will seek to confirm. In this study we describe three main themes in the life-stories of six incarcerated men in Argentina: a) Protecting family, especially parents; b) reconstructing an ideal past, and contrasting it with a more cynical present; and c) blaming criminal neighborhoods, friends, and girlfriends for their crimes. We discuss how these themes are intertwined, what function they fulfill, and the identities and masculinities they produce. Combining research on life-stories with narrative and psychosocial criminology the analysis reveals how life-stories of incarcerated men can be seen as attempts at countering stigma and defending a self that is under attack. The life-stories portray a believable, ‘good’, and multifaceted image of the self, but most importantly, create coherence and unity in otherwise chaotic lives.

King, Sarah E.; Smith, Hayden P.

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x221144297pmid: 36624988

The pathways framework represents an emerging body of work that emphasizes gendered-based influences on crime and incarceration. To date, studies on female pathways often minimize or exclude the role of mental illness. The current study employs Life Course Theory and the use of Life History Calendar to examine the pathways of a sample of 15 female prison inmates diagnosed with serious and persistent mental health conditions. Findings indicate that mental illness carried criminogenic risk throughout the life course, with crucial transitions of risk leading these women toward long term incarceration. Self-reported pathways included repeated victimization, substance use, psychological trauma, delinquency, and/or crime. This study suggests that the pathway framework would benefit from the increased recognition of the role of mental illness on female criminality. Trauma-informed policy implications are provided and discussed.

Sheed, Abigail; Maharaj, Natasha; Simmons, Melanie; Papalia, Nina; McEwan, Troy

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x231159895pmid: 36919275

Situational factors are relevant to the initiation and maintenance of violent behavior yet are infrequently examined in relation to family violence. Content analysis was used to conduct an inductive thematic analysis of police narratives to identify and quantify the occurrence of situational factors among Australian young people (10–24 years) reported to police for using violence toward a parent (n = 82). Descriptive information about demographics (e.g., age and sex), background characteristics (e.g., victimization history, employment/school issues, mental health issues, and neurodevelopmental conditions), and features of the index incident (e.g., type of aggression) were also extracted from police records. Interpersonal conflict and parental limit-setting were the most common situational antecedents of child-to-parent abuse, with additional situational factors including use of weapons, role of third parties, mental health concerns, and substance abuse issues. Families experiencing child-to-parent abuse showed heightened levels of intrafamilial violence and neurodevelopmental conditions. Implications for risk assessment, management, and intervention are discussed.

Andersen, Synøve N.; Hyatt, Jordan M.; Lobmaier, Philipp; Stavseth, Marianne Riksheim; Bukten, Anne

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x231168596pmid: 37312513

As the number of incarcerated persons who use drugs increases in many countries, it is important to understand the nature of drug use in prison by exploring how substance use patterns change from before to during incarceration. In this study, we rely on cross-sectional, self-report data from The Norwegian Offender Mental Health and Addiction (NorMA) study to identify the nature of changes in drug use among incarcerated respondents who reported having used either narcotics, non-prescribed medications, or both, during the 6 months before their incarceration (n = 824). Results show that about 60% (n = 490) stop using drugs. Of the remaining 40% (n = 324), about 86% changed their use patterns. Most commonly, incarcerated people stopped using stimulants and started using opioids; switching from cannabis to stimulants was the least common change. Overall, the study illustrates that the prison context leads most individuals to change their use patterns, some in unanticipated ways.

Erickson, Jacob H.; Heirigs, Mark H.; DeLisi, Matt; Slemaker, Alexandra; Vaughn, Michael G.

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x231176017pmid: 37365811

Strain and low self-control theory are two prominent theories of crime. However, there has been little research comparing the two perspectives to examine their relationship to self-reported delinquency among institutionalized juveniles. We begin to address this gap in the literature by assessing the impacts of economic strain, negative emotions, and low self-control on the commission of property and violent crime using a near census of institutionalized delinquents from Missouri. Results indicated self-control was more essential to understanding both property and violent crime among institutionalized youth as compared to economic strain and negative emotions. Any associations between negative emotions and delinquency were mediated by the effect of low self-control. The theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed.

Baek, Hyunin; Han, Sungil; Seepersad, Randy

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x231170134pmid: 37132591

Delinquent behavior represents a serious concern in the Caribbean. In order to provide insights useful for explaining deviant behavior among youths in Caribbean countries, this study examines the importance of self-control and parental supervision as predictors of deviant behavior. The study assesses direct as well as interaction effects of both variables. For the study, data from Guyana, St. Kitts and Nevis and St. Lucia were analyzed. The sample included 1,140 juveniles aged between 10 and 19 years. The results of regression analyses showed that self-control was a significant predictor of delinquent behavior. It was also found that the provision of parental supervision was able to mitigate the impact of low self-control on delinquency. This finding applied to males as well as females in the sample.

Tucker, Sarah; Luetz, Johannes M.

2023 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

doi: 10.1177/0306624x231165350pmid: 37154516

Art therapy in prisons remains widely under-researched in Australia and beyond and represents a major gap in the literature. Despite evidence that art therapy can be a tool for social change, to date, there are no recorded studies in Australia which have investigated the therapeutic benefits of art in prison populations with measured outcomes. Literary analysis suggests that research tends to be hampered by limitations in methodological approaches that are suited to prison environments. By engaging “inside” with inmates over the course of an 8-week art therapy program, this research design addresses this knowledge gap. Building on 5 years of piloting, the research methodological design presented in this paper embodies a prototype that promises to overcome the limitations of previous research approaches. This research agenda promises to facilitate creative interventions through sensitively attuned art therapy delivery. Benefits are expected to accrue to diverse stakeholder groups, including inmates, chaplaincy and parole services, voluntary facilitators, policymakers, criminologists, and taxpayers, among others.