Articles tagged with Imprisonment
A new paper reviews Tommie Shelby's book on prison abolition, arguing that Shelby misreads the intentions of the movement. The author contends that while prisons cause real harm, quibbling with abolition may be unproductive. The paper examines how mass incarceration structures US society through fear, racism, and police brutality.
A study evaluating contract treatment in Sweden found that this sanction significantly reduces recidivism and substance-related adverse health events compared to community sanctions or prison sentences. Providing treatment yields better results than punishment, addressing the root causes of criminality often linked to substance misuse.
Researchers found that Mental Health First Aid training improved correctional officers' ability to distinguish between mental health challenges and other issues. The training also positively impacted their attitudes toward referring incarcerated individuals to mental health professionals. However, there is a need to enhance the mental ...
A new study found that sibling criminal legal system contact disrupts home life for siblings and families, leading to increased behavioral issues in children, financial and material hardship for parents, and lower levels of social support. The study suggests that mass criminalization imperils families and children.
A study found that progressive prosecutors led to 7% higher relative rates of total and property crime, but not violent crime. The effects varied by time in office, with relatively higher crime rates in the first decade.
A new implementation programme highlights challenges of locating and re-engaging former prisoners and individuals living with HIV who drop out of care. The study found that retaining these patients in care is crucial to end the global HIV epidemic.
A new study finds that nearly half of America's carceral facilities are in watersheds contaminated with PFAS, putting millions at risk. The research highlights the need for better water quality monitoring and mitigation in prisons, jails, and detention centers.
University of Missouri researcher Kelli Canada is using a $2.8 million grant to transform prison conditions in four Missouri prisons. Her multi-pronged mission includes staff training, physical space changes, skill building for residents, and community connections.
A recent study highlights how Kurdish uprisings have led to increased expressions of Kurdish identity through protests and commemorations. The research also notes the historical erasure of Kurds in mainstream Iranian media and its ongoing impact on the community.
Climate change is exacerbating dangerous humid heat conditions in US carceral facilities, with 44 states lacking universal air conditioning. Incarcerated people are disproportionately susceptible to heat-related illnesses, with preexisting health conditions increasing risk.
A new study from the University of Cincinnati finds that being in prison is a significant driver of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) transmission. The researchers identified molecular resistance patterns and defined recent transmissions, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to control the MDR-TB epidemic in prisons.
A new study reveals that former Rwandan genocide perpetrators who returned to their communities articulating a 'narrative of redemption,' saying they were good people despite past crimes. The researchers found that many received warm welcomes from families and/or their communities, leading to an identity shift and a sense of belonging.
Boston University School of Public Health researchers Sondra Crosby and Leonard Glantz denounce rectal feeding practices at CIA secret prisons, equating them to torture. They call for medical officers who authorized or participated in these nonconsensual practices to be held accountable for violating ethical and legal standards.
A study in Paraguay found that people deprived of liberty are at a high risk of tuberculosis (TB) during and after incarceration. The risk persists for years after release, with the incidence of TB declining but remaining 10 times higher than in the community.
A new study suggests Iceland's open prisons offer a blueprint for the UK's foreign national prisoners, providing a unique degree of freedom and promoting holistic rehabilitation. This approach helps to challenge prevailing norms surrounding incarceration, focusing on community engagement and maintaining family connections.
A new study from the University of Texas at El Paso found that incarcerated women are disproportionately punished for minor infractions like defiance. Women were 40% more likely to receive defiance infractions and accrue them faster than men.
The article discusses the importance of acoustic design in prison environments, where constant noise is harmful to both prisoners and staff. By incorporating speech intelligibility, strategic noise reduction, and privacy considerations, acoustic design can improve communication dynamics and alleviate negative social interactions.
The COVID-19 pandemic and drug overdose epidemic significantly contributed to the widening gender gap in US life expectancy. Chronic metabolic disease and mental illness are also thought to play a role in the growing disparity.
A nationwide study found that nearly half of people who use illicit drugs in rural areas have been recently incarcerated. The study suggests that expanding addiction treatment to individuals while they're incarcerated could benefit communities overall by reducing overdose rates and improving rehabilitation outcomes.
A team of researchers from Cambridge University has decoded over 100 French love letters written in the 18th century, revealing universal human experiences and emotional struggles. The letters were sent to sailors on a ship captured by Britain during the Seven Years' War, but never reached their recipients.
A study of 110 Colorado facilities found that 74.5% are at risk of climate-related hazards, including wildfires, heatwaves, and floods. Incarcerated individuals from marginalized communities face added risk due to poor infrastructure and lack of agency.
A three-year USDA grant will train healthcare and social workers in five high-risk rural Missouri counties to address childhood trauma and reduce opioid overdoses. The training covers topics such as ACEs, positive childhood experiences, and trauma-informed care.
A new study from Simon Fraser University finds that people with a history of incarceration were at significantly higher risk of opioid toxicity death during the COVID-19 pandemic. The risk increase was particularly pronounced among young adults who had been incarcerated between 2015 and 2020.
A new study by researchers at UC Irvine and the University of Arizona found no consistent relation between COVID-19-related jail decarceration and violent or property crime in California. The study suggests that downsizing, on average, did not drive crime increases statewide, but notes limitations such as a short measurement period.
Current WHO TB prevention guidelines do not adequately address the needs of imprisoned populations, who are disproportionately affected by the disease. Researchers call for programs to prioritize prison inmates' access to preventive treatment.
A new study by researchers at the Complexity Science Hub found that Mexican cartels have between 160,000 and 185,000 members, making them the fifth largest employer in the country. Disrupting cartel recruitment is the only way to lower violence in Mexico, according to the research.
A new portable device invented by researchers at the University of Bath can detect synthetic cannabinoids like Spice on various materials, including paper and fabric, with high accuracy. The device is expected to be rolled out across the UK within months and may eventually be available globally.
A multi-state analysis of US county-level data found that minor court debt can lead to jail admissions in Texas, Wisconsin, and Oklahoma. The study suggests a pressing issue with modern-day debt imprisonment.
A new study published in the Journal of Criminal Justice found that Black Americans experience poorer self-rated health and chronic conditions when associated with contact from the criminal justice system. Probation was identified as a strong driver of lower health outcomes, due to its stressful nature and lack of economic and social r...
Research from the University of Chicago Medical Center reveals that people who experienced parental incarceration before age 18 had higher levels of hypertension and coronary disease biomarkers. The study's findings suggest that mass incarceration may have transgenerational health consequences.
The Norwegian approach to prison reform focuses on building relationships and trust, reducing solitary confinement. In a US pilot program, residents spent more time outside their cells, with a 74% drop in assaults and an 86% decrease in staff use-of-force incidents.
A new prison parenting program in Australia, led by Belinda Lovell, has been developed to ease the strain of separation and maintain mother-child bonds. The program involves direct input from Aboriginal women and includes positive parenting skills to encourage successful parenting after release.
A Rutgers-led study found that improving prison reentry programs for highest-risk users can help reduce opioid overdose deaths in the US. Strengthening healthcare services, such as psychiatric medication and syringe services, is crucial to engage individuals in opioid use treatment after release.
A new study from Florida Atlantic University compares the characteristics and risk factors of youth detained for running away or sex trafficking to those detained for more serious offenses. The research found significant differences in abuse rates, polyvictimization, and other factors between the two groups.
A KU project aims to train women leaving incarceration in digital skills, employment, and online navigation to reduce recidivism. The three-year program will support up to 600 women in Kansas and Missouri, providing holistic education and job readiness training.
Mothers with a criminal record and care experience face negative judgements and excessive scrutiny due to their 'known' status. The study emphasizes the need for supportive dialogue across disciplinary boundaries to break cycles of stigma and social care involvement, focusing on safe spaces and trust-building for care-experienced mothers.
A randomized controlled study found that transitional employment programs had no significant impact on recidivism, but participants were more likely to be employed. Cognitive behavioral interventions showed marginal benefits in reducing reconviction odds.
A new study found consistently high TB case rates among incarcerated people, but low detection rates. Nearly half of TB cases were not detected, highlighting the need for increased efforts to reduce TB spread in prisons.
A new study found that certain credentials, such as more education, references, and experience, can offset the negative impact of a criminal record on job prospects. Applicants with a criminal record were less likely to be hired without these credentials, but more likely to be hired if they had relevant experience or a college degree.
Researchers uncovered a deadly trade where Bolivian prisoners sell jaguar skins and body parts to produce wallets and other fashion items. The illegal market poses significant threats to jaguar conservation despite international protection since 1975 and national protection in Bolivia since 1986.
Bitemark analysis, commonly used in court trials, lacks scientific backing due to the uniqueness of human teeth on skin. A study of 26 people wrongfully convicted based on this evidence reveals a high rate of distortion, rendering it unreliable for identification purposes.
A new study finds that de facto decriminalization of drug possession in Baltimore led to significant reductions in low-level drug-related arrests, mainly among the Black community. However, racial disparities persisted, with the ratio of street arrests in Black residents increasing after the policy change.
A Rutgers study found that reentry services helped reduce the risk of overdose and death related to substance use disorder after a large-scale prison release in New Jersey. Researchers attribute this finding to the state's robust reentry supports for incarcerated individuals with substance use disorders.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that COVID-19 lockdowns led to less accurate recollections of event timing, particularly for events in 2021. Participants who struggled with timeline accuracy also exhibited higher levels of depression, anxiety, and lower resilience.
Only 16 US states provide free, detailed, and updated suicide data from their prison systems, but many others have incomplete, sparse, or no data at all. This lack of transparency is in violation of the Death in Custody Reporting Act.
Rodlescia Sneed aims to scale up the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program for older adults in state prisons, analyzing factors that influence effectiveness. She seeks to maximize program use in prisons and determine maximum effectiveness through user manual creation and future R01 grant testing.
A nationwide analysis of prisoner healthcare incidents in England reveals medication-related harm as a major issue, with staff mistakes being the most common cause. The researchers recommend prioritizing timely access to healthcare services, improving processes to mitigate medication-related harm and increasing remote appointments.
A new study by researchers at SUNY Albany found that the NY bail reform law had no significant impact on increases in murder, larceny, and motor vehicle theft rates. The study controlled for the COVID-19 pandemic's effect on crime rates, concluding that the law did not contribute to a rise in crimes.
A study by UOC researchers found that Spanish courts impose milder punishments and lower compensation amounts when a victim's partner or ex-partner is accused of rape. In cases involving intimate partners, only 22% of rulings mentioned this as an aggravating factor, leading to milder sentences.
A RAND Corporation study found that defendants with legal counsel during initial bail hearings are more likely to receive non-monetary releases and have reduced jail stays. This is attributed to the impact of public defenders on favorable outcomes at the initial bail hearing.
A recent study found that people tend to blame government less when a service is contracted, such as prisoner transport, and more when the victim is another inmate. This shift in blame could lead to better accountability and policies for prison services.
A study published in Sociology of Education found that teens with incarcerated fathers have lower expectations of completing college, especially for impacted Black youth. Despite optimism about their futures, these teens face stigma and limitations on their educational trajectory.
The US prison population declined by 17% between March 2020 and July 2021, but the percentage of incarcerated Black people increased by almost a full percentage point at the height of the pandemic. This spike in proportion was temporarily reversed as courts reopened and new admissions slowed.
A new study reveals that the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated racial inequalities in the US criminal legal system, with non-white individuals disproportionately receiving longer sentences. The study found that the population shift due to the pandemic increased the fraction of incarcerated Black and Latino people.
A new study from Boston Medical Center found that offering medications for opioid addiction in jails leads to a significant decrease in overdose deaths. Treating opioid addiction during incarceration is also cost-effective and saves lives.
The study reveals that female youth charged with prostitution had significantly higher prevalence rates of physical abuse and lower likelihood of living with parents, while males were more likely to live with their parents. Education and training are crucial for professionals to identify sex trafficking victimization and reduce misiden...
A new study found that US public support for redeemability of Black offenders is high, with 70-80% agreement on offender reform being possible and valued. Racial sympathy and White nationalism significantly influence beliefs in redemption and condemnation of Black offenders.
Researchers found that peer support specialists with a shared life experience were most valued for providing emotional and housing/employment support, helping inmates recover from opioid use disorder. Participants appreciated the empathetic and trustworthy relationships established with their peer navigators.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that the US government allocates very little federal funding for research on incarceration from a public health standpoint. The lack of funding is attributed to structural racism, business interests, and a lack of awareness among healthcare professionals.
A new study by Oregon State University researchers found that people recently released from prison in Oregon are at a higher risk of opioid overdose, with a rate of 1,086 per 100,000 person years, exceeding the general public rate by 10 times.