Articles tagged with Imprisonment
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine studied 22 US state and federal prisons, tracking 1,396 pregnant women over 12 months. Most pregnancies resulted in live births with no maternal deaths, a significant improvement compared to general population statistics.
A Rutgers study found that former inmates who receive social support have better mental health and successful reentry into society. Without such supports, men of color face significant challenges upon release from prison.
The study found that nearly 45% of Americans have ever had an immediate family member incarcerated, with siblings being the most common. The figure is even higher for African-Americans and those with low education levels, who experience incarceration at a rate of nearly 3 in 5.
Researchers at Binghamton University used non-invasive methods to locate and assess historical remains beneath the Alcatraz Recreation Yard, discovering a 'bombproof' earthwork traverse and vaulted brick masonry tunnel. The findings offer insights into the island's former military role as a 19th-century coastal fortification.
A randomized study by Michigan State University reveals that interpersonal psychotherapy can reduce depressive symptoms and hopelessness in prisoners. The treatment is effective, low-cost, and can be implemented in prison settings with trained counselors.
A UMass Amherst researcher is teaming up with 2 Western Massachusetts sheriff's offices to design an opioid treatment program for jail detainees. The 3-year project aims to deliver medications to 500 detainees and connect them to follow-up care after release, measuring outcomes to inform a national playbook.
A one-hour workshop on houseplant-potting improved the moods of incarcerated women and provided a respite from their surroundings. The study highlights the value of interaction with nature for therapeutic and rehabilitative goals, suggesting that such activities can have a lasting impact on quality of life while in prison.
A study by Rutgers researchers found that many inmates want to quit smoking but lack resources and education to help them. The researchers recommend increasing tobacco dependence treatments, prison-wide cessation programs, and helping former smokers influence other inmates.
Research finds no significant difference in mental health conditions between incarcerated and community youth who died by suicide. However, study highlights environment as a potential contributor to increased suicides among incarcerated youth. Practical recommendations include timely suicide assessments and targeted prevention programs.
The study reviewed comprehensive AIDS prevention programs in prisons, which have been shown to increase prisoners' awareness of AIDS and reduce HIV transmission. These programs also promote the use of condoms, improve healthcare access, and decrease the risk of disease transmission.
A new longitudinal study found that prisoners with greater exposure to formal sanctions were more likely to re-offend within three years of release. This is because formal sanctions reduce social freedoms and access to prosocial opportunities, leading to an increased likelihood of reincarceration.
A new study examines data from California Youth Authority and finds a strong likelihood of recidivism among offenders convicted of violent crimes. The research highlights the importance of considering an offender's entire criminal history during sentencing or parole decisions.
A new study found that routine Hepatitis C testing in correctional facilities identified nearly 35% more cases than targeted testing, which could lead to the cure of many cases and prevention of liver disease. Researchers recommend implementing routine testing for all incarcerated individuals upon arrival to address the national strate...
A one-hour cognitive behavioural therapy session has been shown to be effective in preventing chronic insomnia in 73% of prisoners. The therapy also made notable improvements to anxiety and depression, with prisoners reporting significant reductions in symptoms.
A new analysis by University of Pittsburgh researchers identifies barriers that make it difficult for transgender women to re-enter their communities after incarceration. Key findings include the importance of social support and access to trans-inclusive resources such as career services, healthcare, and transportation.
The ArtsEqual project in Finland examines how arts can meet social challenges, promoting equality and inclusivity. Research-based policy briefs have informed decision-making, leading to concrete results in local curriculum planning and regional action plans.
A study found that individuals recently released from prison were less likely to receive a doctor's appointment compared to control group members. The likelihood of obtaining an appointment was significantly lower for those with a recent prison history, despite a universal healthcare system.
Researchers found that previously jailed veterans are 3-5 times more likely to attempt suicide compared to their peers, regardless of age or additional risk factors. This is due to reduced social connections and increased stigma upon release from prison.
A new study found that Black men have a higher rate of reincarceration and shorter time to reentry compared to other groups, even with lower risk scores on standardized tools. This suggests that systemic issues such as racism and implicit bias play a significant role in recidivism rates.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that fewer than half of people with HIV are retained in care three years after release from incarceration. The study suggests that better access to health insurance and transitional case-management services may improve retention in HIV care and viral suppression.
Researchers describe five stages of give-up-itis, a condition characterized by progressive psychological decline and apathy, leading to potentially life-threatening consequences. The condition is triggered by severe trauma and affects the anterior cingulate circuit, governing motivation and goal-directed behavior.
The research examines prison conditions, incarceration rates, and penal policy processes since the USSR's demise. It investigates social attitudes towards punishment, shaping cultural perceptions of history and political power.
A recent study in North Carolina found that former inmates were 40 times more likely to die of an opioid overdose than the general population within two weeks of release. Even a year later, overdose death rates remained 10-18 times higher among formerly incarcerated individuals.
A new study found that young adults who had a parent incarcerated during childhood are more likely to skip needed healthcare, smoke cigarettes, engage in risky sexual behaviors, and abuse alcohol and prescription drugs. Young Black adults were disproportionately affected, with a higher prevalence of parental incarceration.
A new study from Washington State University finds that PTSD rates among prison employees are on par with those of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans. The research highlights the need for targeted interventions to promote resilience in corrections professionals.
A groundbreaking study found that lawmakers representing districts with privately owned ICE detention facilities are more likely to co-sponsor punitive immigration bills. The researchers assessed support for immigration legislation among members of the 113th and 114th Congresses, spanning from 2013-15 and 2015-17, respectively.
A new study found that young adults with incarcerated parents are more likely to skip healthcare, engage in risky behaviors, and develop physical and mental health conditions. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to mitigate the effects of parental incarceration on youth behavior.
A new study from the University of Texas at Austin found that empathetic police officers who feel undervalued perform poorly in their duties. In contrast, conservative officers with punitive approaches to justice tend to maintain high performance levels despite public criticism. Policymakers are urged to address the issue by implementi...
A study from UC San Francisco found that Prop. 47 reduced felony drug arrests by nearly 75% across California, with a significant decline in racial disparities. The measure also led to a decrease in misdemeanor drug citations and overall drug arrests.
A new study by Rice University sociologist Robert Werth suggests that risk assessment tools in the US parole system contribute to higher incarceration rates. The study found that these tools consider everyone a risk, leading to an environment where most people are supervised closely.
Active case finding is recommended for hepatitis B and C, HIV, and tuberculosis in prison settings. The approach aims to diagnose infectious diseases early and interrupt transmission. Key findings include a high burden of communicable diseases among prisoners, leading to increased risk of transmission upon release.
Leading experts recommend a novel pricing strategy to increase access to hepatitis C treatment, particularly for vulnerable populations. States can leverage competition among drug manufacturers to save money while ensuring treatment for a larger share of the population.
A world-first study found that people released from prison who have both mental illness and substance use problems are at a significantly increased risk of suffering injury. The research, conducted by the University of Melbourne, identified hospital records for 1307 people released from seven Queensland prisons over a five-year period.
A new UCLA study found that a peer navigation treatment program can help former HIV-positive inmates stay on their medications and keep the virus controlled. The program showed significant improvement in viral suppression rates compared to the traditional approach used today.
A new study found that people with HIV in Ontario are dying at higher rates than the general population, highlighting the impact of social determinants on health outcomes. The study suggests that factors such as unemployment, low income, homelessness, and incarceration contribute to increased mortality rates among people with HIV.
A study of 106 incarcerated male participants found that psychopaths and non-psychopaths could take others' perspectives, but psychopaths excelled only on tasks requiring deliberate consideration. This cognitive deficit may underlie facets of psychopathic behavior.
Researchers recommend routine screening for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in offenders to improve medical support and reduce crime. Young people with TBI are at greater risk of early, violent offending due to compromised neurological functions and increased risk of behavioral disorders.
A study from McMaster University found that Ontario jails have high rates of opioid overdose deaths compared to the general public. Researchers recommend increased collaboration between healthcare and correctional systems to provide better treatment options for those in custody.
A new study found that Rhode Island's opioid addiction treatment program for inmates reduced post-incarceration drug overdose deaths by 61% and contributed to an overall 12% reduction in overdose deaths statewide. The program provides medications for addiction treatment (MAT) for those who need it, with linkage to community treatment a...
A study by Dr Shona Minson explores the lived experience of children whose mothers are imprisoned, revealing negative impacts on their relationships, education, health, and wellbeing. The research highlights the importance of considering child dependents in sentencing decisions to safeguard their welfare.
Peregrine falcons use proportional navigation guidance similar to guided missiles, which could be applied to small drones. This method relies on line-of-sight information and doesn't require target speed or distance data. The research may also provide insights into pursuit behaviors of other predatory species.
A new study found that under 5% of those referred for opioid treatment from the criminal justice system were directed to medication-assisted programs, while 40% of clients referred by other sources attended these programs. This referral gap highlights a missed opportunity for effective treatment among at-risk groups.
Researchers found that mindfulness training and therapy can mitigate the decline in cognitive abilities and impulse control associated with prison time. The study revealed that inmates who participated in CBT and mindfulness exercises showed significant improvements in emotion recognition and impulse control compared to those in a cont...
A new study published in Political Behavior suggests that voting alone does not directly reduce criminality and may not foster good citizens. The research analyzed a large-scale field experiment involving over 550,000 young adults aged 18-20 in the US, finding no correlation between voting and reduced crime rates.
A two-week intervention program focusing on reducing risky behavior was found to be effective in reducing aggression and future incarceration rates among clinically aggressive juvenile offenders. The program, PHAT Life, taught youth to identify triggers for high-risk behavior and develop coping strategies.
Lehigh University engineers developed an optimization model, IADSS, which streamlines the assignment of inmates to Pennsylvania's 25 correctional institutions, saving millions and reducing recidivism. The system has been credited with achieving cost savings in four areas: treatment programs, prison assaults, staffing, and transportation.
Four factors were identified as significant in helping women ex-convicts avoid recidivism: good nutritional health, good spiritual health, having a high school education, and having been convicted of drug offenses. These factors resulted in reduced likelihoods of recidivism ranging from 40% to 70%.
A new UC Berkeley study found that serving time behind bars increases likelihood of return to prison, often due to technical parole violations. The research suggests that alternatives to imprisonment for parole violators, such as treatment programs or community service, might slow down the revolving door.
A study by researchers at the University of Seville found that individuals with lower levels of education are 10.32 times more likely to commit violent crimes than those with high educational levels. Additionally, prisoners diagnosed with functional mental illness were 3.5 times more likely to commit or attempt murder.
A study analyzing over 100,000 individuals sentenced for felonies in Michigan found that those with a history of imprisonment were 20 percentage points more likely to be re-incarcerated than those on probation. Intense parole supervision may contribute to increased incarceration rates among parolees.
Researchers are developing a medication adherence intervention to improve antiretroviral therapy coverage among released Indonesian prisoners. The intervention, adapted from an existing program, aims to increase treatment uptake and reduce HIV-related mortality in the country's prison population. With Indonesia's high HIV infection rat...
The study estimates that 3% of the US population and 15% of African-American males have served time in prison. Felony convictions account for 8% of the overall population and 33% of African-American males.
A new study finds that basic primary health care and education are crucial for women leaving provincial prisons, addressing trauma, addiction, and chronic diseases. Researchers suggest partnership programs between the health, education, and criminal justice ministries to improve outcomes.
A Lehigh University optimization model has transformed Pennsylvania's Department of Corrections, enabling cost savings and improvements in four areas: shorter waiting lists for treatment programs, fewer prison assaults, staffing reductions, and more efficient transportation. The system is expected to save approximately $19.2 million ov...
Research from the University of Missouri identifies themes that could help policymakers keep veterans out of jail, including alcohol and drug use, difficulty adjusting to civilian life, and economic disadvantages. The study found that trauma encountered in the military, relational stress, and struggles with civilian culture contribute ...
A study published in Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment found that inmates who viewed nature videos committed 26 percent fewer violent infractions than their peers. The study showed that exposure to nature, even through images, can have a positive impact on prisoners' behavior.
A recent study by North Carolina State University found that homeless women are 30% less likely to have their applications approved for disability benefits compared to men. Medical records play a crucial role in the application process, with applicants who submit them being twice as likely to be approved.
Researchers found immigrant detention centers function like jails, with inmates required to wear orange jumpsuits and color-coded by threat level. The centers are often built in remote locations, making it difficult for detainees to communicate with families or access legal assistance.
A study led by the University of California, Berkeley, found that people with mental illness reoffend less if placed on specialty probation, a program using individualized treatment-oriented approaches. Specialty probationers had a 52% recidivism rate over two years compared to 29% for traditional probationers.
A UC study analyzed newspaper accounts of executions from 1800 to 1965, finding that condemned prisoners often wore formal attire, including suits, shaven faces, and adorned clothing. This choice reflected a desire for dignity and respectability in their final moments, as well as resistance against the state's authority.