Articles tagged with Imprisonment
The Cornell Prison Education Program will expand to provide classes and degree programs in four regional prisons, establishing a model college-in-prison network. With a $1 million grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the program aims to create a constructive pathway for incarcerated students.
A new study will follow 800 recently released detainees from the Genesee County Jail in Flint, Michigan, and the Department of Corrections in Cranston, Rhode Island, to track mental health outcomes and compare two intervention strategies.
Researchers at Durham University have identified the remains of 17th century Scottish soldiers found in mass graves, using a combination of scientific data and historical information. The skeletons were buried in two pits on the University's site, dating back to between 1625 and 1660, with isotope analysis showing likely Scottish origin.
A long-term study published in The Lancet Psychiatry journal found that ex-prisoners with common psychiatric disorders such as bipolar disorder and alcohol abuse are more likely to commit violent crimes after release. The study estimated that up to a fifth of violent reoffending by former male prisoners can be attributed to diagnosed p...
A new RAND Corporation study suggests that internet-based technologies can improve the criminal justice system by developing a common criminal history record and improving language translation tools. However, issues related to civil rights, privacy rights, and cybersecurity must be addressed before these improvements can be fully reali...
Research using photos and sentencing data from Florida inmates found that those perceived as less trustworthy on their face received death sentences, even after adjusting for other factors. The study highlights the influence of facial biases in decision-making processes, particularly in high-stakes situations like capital punishment.
A new study reveals that prisoners at Gramercy maximum security prison have turned to entrepreneurialism to meet their basic needs, developing illicit marketing systems for services like haircutting and medical care. The research highlights the need to shift the role of prisons from punishment to reformation.
A recent study by Sam Houston State University professor Melinda Tasca found that two-thirds of children who visited a parent in prison experienced fear, anger, and anxiety. The study suggests that institutional environment and parent-child relationship are key factors shaping children's responses to prison visitation.
A new study by MIT scholars finds that juvenile incarceration significantly lowers high-school graduation rates by 13 percentage points and increases adult incarceration by 23 percentage points. The research project analyzed tens of thousands of teenagers in Illinois, using a natural experiment to isolate the effects of sentencing on k...
A new trial shows that inmates who were allowed to continue methadone maintenance treatment while incarcerated were more than twice as likely to engage in treatment after release. The study suggests that interrupting treatment during incarceration may make people with addiction more vulnerable to relapse and overdoses.
An exploratory study found that ex-prisoners with a history of risky drug use, mental illness, or poverty are more likely to end up behind bars again. Those who are obese, chronically ill, or have attempted suicide are less likely to return to custody.
A Kansas State University study found that individuals with a strong belief in pure evil are more likely to support harsh sentences, including life in prison without parole and the death penalty. This belief overrides stereotypes about the offender's character, suggesting that perceived retribution and demonization play a significant r...
A new study found that around a third of all deaths in former male prisoners are due to alcohol and substance use, while half of female ex-prisoners also die from similar causes. The study suggests that preventive and therapeutic programmes can significantly reduce the number of deaths from these preventable causes.
A pilot study published in Addiction journal found that extended-release naltrexone significantly reduced opioid relapse rates among mostly heroin-dependent men released from New York City jails. After one month, 88% of participants in the control group relapsed, compared to 38% in the treatment group.
A new study finds that effective new hepatitis C drugs are extremely costly, with some treatments costing between $94,500 and $189,000. The state of Rhode Island would need to spend almost twice its entire prison health budget to treat all its chronically infected inmates.
A UT Dallas study found that solitary confinement does not deter inmates from committing further violent acts, and its use may even exacerbate mental health problems. The research suggests reducing solitary confinement could save taxpayer funds and improve prisoner outcomes upon release.
Mothers connected to recently incarcerated men experience lower overall relationship quality, supportiveness, and physical abuse. Current paternal incarceration is positively associated with some indicators of relationship quality.
Boston Medical Center researchers highlight the need for improved funding and support for social and public health programs to address healthcare disparities among young African-American men. Effective interventions beyond medical care are crucial to addressing social determinants of health.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that one in four prison inmates have a diagnosed mental health condition, yet few receive treatment. The study highlights the need for prisons to prioritize validated screening procedures and treatment for mental health disorders.
A systematic review of 59 studies found that interventions in prisons led to improved health outcomes for prisoners and the general population. The research highlights the importance of providing treatment and access to primary care after release, resulting in reduced substance abuse, mental health problems, and infectious diseases.
Sexual offending treatment programs in prisons and hospitals have been shown to be ineffective in reducing recidivism rates, with most offenders releasing back into society posing the same level of risk as before treatment. Experts argue that only proven treatments should be used to rehabilitate offenders effectively.
A significant portion of state and federal prisoners are not receiving treatment for mental health conditions, with 26% reporting a diagnosis compared to 18% in the general population. The lack of access to adequate mental health services can lead to higher recidivism rates after release.
A new study highlights the need for trauma screening and treatment in Canadian prisons, particularly for Aboriginal women who are grossly over-represented. The research findings emphasize that trauma can lead to serious health and social consequences, including physical and mental illness, substance abuse, and unemployment.
Researchers found higher levels of education among those declared not criminally responsible for a crime and hospitalized. Additionally, incarcerated individuals with severe mental disorders had a greater history of suicide attempts and psychopathic traits, emphasizing the need for shared care models between legal and healthcare systems.
A new study by RAND Corporation found that unauthorized immigrants who previously been removed from the US are 2.5 times more likely to be rearrested after leaving jail. Researchers also found that these individuals were rearrested more frequently and sooner, highlighting the need for targeted immigration enforcement efforts.
A randomized, controlled trial showed that providing detainees with wash cloths treated with chlorhexidine gluconate significantly decreased S. aureus colonization. The use of plain water wash cloths also effectively reduced S. aureus hand and/or nose carriage.
A University of Cincinnati doctoral student presents research on the legal issues posed by transgendered inmates, including Eighth Amendment protections and varying policies. The study aims to create a manual for prison institutions to guide treatment of this population.
The HIP HOP PSYCH initiative aims to use hip-hop lyrics and music to improve people's mental health, address stigma towards mental illness, and increase diversity within the psychiatric profession. By integrating hip-hop into psychotherapies, psychologists can refine their tools to make therapies more relevant to specific populations.
Kokabee was imprisoned for refusing to contribute to weapons research in Iran and awarded the American Physical Society's Andrei Sakharov Prize for his courage. He continues to study from prison, teaching physics classes and promoting education among fellow inmates.
A study by CWRU researcher Joseph Galanek found that training correctional officers on mental illness symptoms improves prison safety, security, and humane treatment of inmates. The research showed that trained officers could use their discretion to respond to mentally ill inmates without rigidly enforcing prison rules.
A study found that states with larger African-American populations are more likely to have harsher incarceration practices and conditions of confinement. States with lower rates of poverty also exhibit greater punitiveness in terms of political and symbolic punishment.
A team of physicians recommends policy changes to steer defendants into treatment programs instead of correctional facilities. Incarceration reduces access to social resources like health care and increases the risk of unemployment and poverty.
The first article suggests that physicians can steer eligible defendants into treatment programs instead of correctional facilities, while the second article advocates for fair hiring practices in hospitals to improve the health and wellbeing of former inmates. Both articles emphasize the importance of addressing social issues such as ...
A Washington University in St. Louis study found that the Supreme Court tends to decide significant cases at the end of its session, with over 30% of these decisions issued in June. The researchers propose three possible explanations for this trend: legacy concerns, public relations considerations, and social schedules.
A new study found that US non-citizens are more likely to receive prison sentences and longer terms compared to citizens. The research analyzed federal court data from 1992-2008 and found a 11% difference in sentencing between citizens and non-citizens.
A study at the University of Wisconsin-Madison examines how attorney representation and limited legal assistance shape access to justice for low-income civil litigants. The research aims to inform policy and intervention strategies to address the 'justice gap' faced by three-quarters of unrepresented individuals in the US.
A new study by Dr. Flora Matheson found that women who are involved in their discharge planning have a higher chance of successfully reintegrating into society. The study highlights the importance of stable and trusting relationships with parole officers and access to positive social support networks.
A sociology professor presented research on how ex-inmates cope with life after prison, finding that those who successfully transition address internalized anger and use it as motivation to redeem themselves. The study highlights the importance of considering unique stigma faced by this population in reentry efforts.
A new study by UC Irvine finds that parental incarceration is associated with increased risk of attention deficit disorder, behavioral problems, learning disabilities, and developmental delays in children. Children with incarcerated parents are more likely to experience health disadvantages than those with divorced or deceased parents.
A new Israeli study found that crime dropped after transferring authority over jails from police to the Prison Authority, leading to more arrests and longer detention periods. The study suggests that similar reforms in California may result in an increase in crime rates.
A new study from Oregon State University found that private prisons have a disproportionate number of Hispanic inmates, while white inmates are underrepresented. The study suggests that racial disparities in inmate placement may lead to legal challenges for corrections officials.
A new study found that exposing White participants to higher racial disparities in incarceration rates increased fear of crime and support for punitive policies. The researchers suggest that awareness of extreme racial disparities may actually decrease efforts to address inequality.
US study finds that prison smoking bans are associated with a substantial fall in deaths from smoking-related causes, such as heart disease and cancer. The study found that prisons with long-term bans saw a 9-11% reduction in smoking-related deaths, with longer-lasting bans leading to greater reductions.
Research reveals that children exposed to incarceration in their household are more likely to experience poor adult health quality, regardless of other forms of childhood adversity. The study analyzed data from over 81,000 adults and found a significant 18% increase in risk.
Researchers found that tighter Medicaid policies governing antipsychotic drugs were associated with higher shares of inmates with psychotic symptoms and a 22% increase in the likelihood of imprisonment. The study suggests that limiting access to effective therapy may have unintended consequences, including more people in prisons.
A new study examines the complex interplay between Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and depressive symptoms in ex-POWs, finding that treatment must address both conditions simultaneously. Prof. Solomon's research suggests that a 'tunnel vision' approach to treating POWs is ineffective and may even exacerbate symptoms.
A team of researchers at Virginia Tech used infection-modeling techniques to analyze the mass incarceration problem, discovering that small but significant differences in prison sentences can lead to large disparities in incarceration rates. The model reproduces many facets of incarceration in the US, including racial disparities.
Current UK guidance excludes prisoners from participating in general clinical research due to perceived difficulties and costs. However, researchers argue that this approach is protectionist and denies prisoners equal access to healthcare and research opportunities.
A study by Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School found that Americans' motivation to remember information that absolves American soldiers of atrocities alters their memories. The researchers reported that participants were more likely to remember justifications for atrocities committed by American soldiers than those committed b...
The US prison population has a high prevalence of hepatitis C infection and is readily reachable for testing and treatment. The researchers argue that targeting prisoners could cure the greatest number of people infected with the virus, benefiting society in the long run.
Nearly 4 million Americans may be infected with hepatitis C virus, with one in six inmates having the disease. Implementing hepatitis C treatment programs in US prisons and jails could save lives and reduce costs.
Men released from prison are more than twice as likely to die prematurely compared to those who have not been incarcerated. The 'mortality penalty' of incarceration includes increased exposure to diseases like TB and HIV, prolonged stress, and disruptions in social bonds.
A new study found that individuals recently released from prison or on parole have a significantly increased risk of visiting hospitals and emergency departments. The study suggests potential cost savings if preventive care can be provided through timely access to health insurance coverage.
A recent study by Yale University researchers found that black male incarceration has compromised research studies on health outcomes, leading to a significant loss of follow-up data. The study estimated that high incarceration rates among black men may have accounted for up to 65% of the loss of follow-up among this group.
A study by Michigan State University criminologists highlights the challenges faced by black women on probation and parole in poor urban areas. They find that social isolation and limited access to resources hinder these women's ability to stay clean, sober, and stable.
A study of 882 HIV-infected prisoners found that treating inmates for HIV while incarcerated helped a majority achieve viral suppression by release. Most prisoners achieved viral suppression regardless of age, race, or ART regimen type.
Under the Affordable Care Act, an estimated 4 million people who have spent time in jail will gain access to continuous health care for conditions that increase the risk of recidivism. This could lead to reduced healthcare costs and a healthier community.
The article highlights the need for improved prison healthcare, citing that over 95% of prisoners will return to the community with significant health burdens. Experts recommend alternatives to imprisonment, improved oversight, and a 'risk-needs-responsivity' model to address chronic medical conditions and substance abuse after release.
A Michigan State University study refutes critics' claims that solitary confinement leads to increased recidivism rates. In reality, young drug offenders with prior convictions and disciplinary charges are more likely to re-offend.
State-level spending on prison education programs declined by an average of 6% from 2009 to 2012, with large states cutting spending by 10% and medium-sized states by 20%. The study's findings highlight the need for better focus on spending and more effective instructional models to improve outcomes for inmates.