Articles tagged with Imprisonment
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.
Research found that inmates who express guilt about specific behaviors are less likely to re-offend, while those feeling shame are more likely to commit crimes again. The study suggests that understanding the role of guilt and shame can inform restorative justice interventions and improve outcomes for incarcerated individuals.
A nationwide survey of state prison administrators found that Medicaid enrollment increased in preparation for release, improving access to basic health services. Most systems provided assistance with reenrollment, but termination policies were common, making it challenging for prisoners to access care upon release.
Research from the University of Southampton shows that prisoners rate themselves similarly to community members on pro-social traits, despite being incarcerated. Prisoners also overestimate their law-abidigness and underestimate their propensity for future crime.
A study by the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management found that transformational leaders can curb cynicism and improve employee commitment to change. Correctional officers who worked for 'transformational' leaders showed reduced cynicism and higher levels of individual commitment towards change.
A new study from Case Western Reserve University finds that released inmates with severe mental illness prioritize basic needs like housing and food over mental health services. The study suggests that social workers and policymakers must ensure that both basic and treatment needs are met during the transition from jail to community.
Researchers will investigate global practices and principles of life imprisonment, aiming to make recommendations on its application. The study will focus on human rights, conditions of service, and the controversial question of irreducible life sentences.
A new study reveals that publicly expressing regrets can provide emotional support from others, highlighting the social benefits of regret. Additionally, professionals who believe they are least vulnerable to gift-biasing effects are most likely to accept gifts, while peer pressure can easily lead to unethical behavior. Research also s...
A study found that female prisoners in England and Wales self-harmed at an alarming rate, with women accounting for roughly half of all incidents. Self-harm was associated with a higher risk of suicide, particularly among male inmates.
A Utah prison outbreak of severe botulism poisoning from homemade pruno highlights the importance of prompt medical attention. The CDC's anti-toxin is rarely administered due to lengthy supply chains, emphasizing the need for emergency physicians to act quickly on clinical suspicion.
Researchers measured James Bond's alcohol consumption in Ian Fleming novels and found it was over four times the recommended limit. This high level of drinking may have caused physical symptoms such as an alcohol-induced tremor, leading to his famous catchphrase 'shaken, not stirred'.
A recent study by University of California, Irvine sociologist Kristin Turney and Yale University's Christopher Wildeman found that the incarceration of nonresident fathers does not have a detrimental effect on their parenting. When fathers were not living with their children prior to incarceration, their time behind bars had no signif...
The American Institute of Biological Sciences has selected three individuals as winners of its 2013 Faces of Biology: Broader Impacts Photo Contest. The winning photos showcase the broader impacts of biological sciences, including informing natural resources management and addressing climate change.
A study analyzing 23,373 inmates entering a state prison system in North Carolina found that only 0.09% were HIV seropositive and not previously known to be infected. This suggests that incarceration may not be a high-risk environment for new cases of undiagnosed HIV infection.
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that only 1.45% of new inmates in North Carolina prisons tested positive for HIV, with most having previously been diagnosed. The findings suggest that screening incoming prisoners may not be an effective strategy for detecting new undiagnosed cases.
Research reveals that treating prisoners with schizophrenia both during imprisonment and after release can substantially reduce the risk of violent reoffending. Maintaining psychiatric treatment for these individuals is essential to prevent violence.
Research by University of Cincinnati's Matthew Logan suggests that inmates with military backgrounds are not more likely to misbehave, but rather fare better in prison. They were 20% less likely to be sent to solitary confinement and 36% less likely to use drugs or alcohol.
A Princeton-Harvard study found that Harlem Children's Zone Promise Academy Charter School students are 49% more likely to attend college and 71% less likely to become teen mothers compared to their public school peers. The study also showed improved test scores for poor, urban students.
A recent study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that women who adhered to a Mediterranean-type diet in midlife had greater physical and mental function in old age. Researchers also developed a scoring system to identify low-risk patients for strep throat, which could potentially save hundreds of thousands of doctor visits...
A NYU study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that mindfulness training, combined with cognitive behavioral therapy, improved attentional task performance in incarcerated adolescents. The intervention showed a protective effect on youths' attentional capacity, leading to better self-control and reduced anti-social behavior.
White-collar criminals report fewer problems with cell mates, feelings of safety, and difficulties in prison compared to other populations. The study found that they were more likely to make friends in prison and had lower rates of safety concerns.
Researchers found that comprehensive, community-based mental health programs in California promoted independent living among people with serious mental illness. Non-white patients and those with schizophrenia and bipolar disorders were less likely to benefit from these programs.
The University of Oklahoma Center for Spatial Analysis developed a web-based tracking analysis application, TRACKS, to monitor and analyze Oklahoma offenders. The tool uses GPS location data to detect movement patterns and alert officers to potential behavior problems.
Archaeologists at the University of Bonn have discovered a 1,400-year-old mass grave containing 24 skeletons from the Maya civilization. The remains show signs of violent death and dismemberment, including decapitation and hatchet marks.
Employers view visible tattoos as a stigma, perceiving them as making employees look dirty or unsavory. However, certain innocuous symbols like flowers or butterflies are seen as acceptable. The stigma surrounding tattoos is expected to decrease over time as younger generations increasingly get tattoos.
The study found that incarcerated men lack basic financial knowledge, with a focus on investing, self-employment, budgeting, and saving. They often prefer one-on-one instruction and have shown interest in entrepreneurship, particularly in construction and real estate.
A new study by the RAND Corporation found that prison education programs significantly reduce recidivism rates, with a 43% lower chance of returning to prison. Additionally, inmates who participate in correctional education have improved job prospects and higher employment rates after release.
A growing population of older male prisoners requires better health and social care in prisons. The study found that many prisons lack policies for caring for older prisoners and fail to integrate health and social services.
The project aims to develop and evaluate an integrated system of care involving therapy, medication, housing, training, and employment. Researchers will test the new approach against usual care in a randomised control trial, evaluating its effectiveness and economic impact.
A Baylor University study found that a faith-based prisoner re-entry program in Minnesota reduced recidivism by 26% and saved an estimated $3 million. The program, which relies on volunteers, also provided a benefit by reducing crime-related costs.
Researchers found that intimate partner violence increases risk for property crimes, drug offending, and commercial sex work. Witnessing violence also contributes to property crimes, fighting, and use of weapons. Women who experienced caregiver violence are more likely to run away as teens.
Researchers at Michigan State University found that evolution punishes selfishness and promotes cooperation. The study, published in Nature Communications, suggests that cooperators are more likely to survive and thrive in the long term due to their ability to communicate and adapt to different opponents.
A new study by the American Psychological Association found that people who were repeatedly bullied throughout childhood and adolescence are significantly more likely to go to prison. Women who experienced chronic bullying faced greater odds of substance abuse and arrest compared to men.
A study by Rice University and Louisiana State University found that court-mandated prison reforms led to a 22% decrease in welfare spending. The researchers discovered that states that were ordered to improve living conditions spent significantly more on correctional facilities, but less on social programs.
A recent study by Yale University researchers found that former prisoners are more likely to be hospitalized for acute preventable conditions, with a rate 30-65% higher than the general population. The study's results highlight the need for improved healthcare before and after release.
Researchers found that individuals released from the justice system have a high risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections within the first year. Specifically, ex-offenders had a 16% incidence rate of contracting an STI within the first 365 days of release.
A ten-week yoga course improved prisoners' mood, reduced stress, and bettered behavior control. The study suggests yoga may aid in managing the burden of mental health problems in prisons.
Rich Wener's research has significantly furthered the ability to build humane, just, and functional correctional facilities. He was recognized by the Environmental Design Research Association (EDRA) with a Career Award for his contributions to environmental design research.
A study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that psychopaths lack the basic neurophysiological 'hardwiring' necessary for caring about others. This is reflected in altered brain activity in response to pain and distress, with reduced activation in regions critical for empathy and increased activity in areas linked to emotion and reward.
A study published in Liver Transplantation found that US transplant providers would not offer transplants to patients with advanced age, severe obesity, or lifetime imprisonment. The majority also believe marijuana use and psychiatric diagnoses are contraindications for liver transplantation.
A new study found that nearly half of opioid-dependent individuals report concerns with forced methadone withdrawal, discouraging them from seeking treatment after release. Methadone therapy is a proven treatment for opioid dependence and has serious implications for public health and safety.
A study found that nearly one percent of newly incarcerated inmates with IV drug history have acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Systematic screening could identify over 7,000 new HCV cases across the U.S. annually among asymptomatic inmates.
Prisoners in Canada often experience worse health than the general population, with higher rates of communicable diseases and mental health issues. A well-organized and coordinated healthcare system is needed to address these complex needs.
A new study published in Clinical Psychological Science suggests that both pre-war psychological vulnerabilities and combat-related trauma contribute to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in veterans. The researchers analyzed data from 260 male Vietnam veterans, finding that those who experienced life-threatening ...
A study by New York University sociologist David Greenberg found no significant link between CompStat and reduced crime rates in NYC. Despite a decline in felony crimes, the analysis showed no association between misdemeanor arrests and violent or property crime rates.
A study by Jason Schnittker and colleagues reveals a long-lasting relationship between incarceration and psychiatric conditions affecting one's mood. The research suggests that mental health treatment could help former inmates reintegrate into society, addressing difficulties such as diminished social relationships and daily activities.
Classic studies on obedience and conformity have been revisited to show that people do not blindly conform but actively identify with and believe in the authority's actions. The authors' own prison experiment found that participants only acted in terms of group membership and empowered themselves to resist their assigned position.
A University of Cincinnati study found that union spending related to state issues has a broad, cumulative effect on public safety funding and employment. The researchers discovered no evidence of competitive rent seeking, but observed a correlation between liberal states and smaller per-capita prison populations.
A comprehensive report reveals that incarceration rates for African American males are a major contributor to health problems, substance abuse, and economic disparities. The study suggests that investing more resources in education and treatment could significantly reduce these costs and improve lives.
A recent study has found that former political prisoners in East Germany continue to experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 15 years after their imprisonment. The study, which followed up with 78 men and 15 women who were initially interviewed in the mid-1990s, revealed that PTSD affects about a third of those studied.
A study by UC Riverside criminologist Robert Nash Parker found that California's three-strikes law has done nothing to reduce the crime rate. Instead, a decline in alcohol consumption is the primary driver of the decreasing crime rate over the past 20 years.
Palestinian refugees face chronic illnesses, water leakage issues, and poverty-related health problems. A significant correlation was found between chronic illness and water leakage, as well as between poverty and ill health.
Researchers tracked nearly 2,000 youths in Chicago up to 5 years after release, finding over 45% of males and 30% of females had one or more psychiatric disorders. Substance use disorder was the most persistent and prevalent, with rates dropping less dramatically for girls than boys as they age.
A recent study found that treating hepatitis C in prison can be just as effective as treatment for non-incarcerated patients, with 43% of prisoners achieving a sustained viral response. The research highlights the importance of providing antiviral therapy to incarcerated individuals to curb the spread of hepatitis C.
The ACS symposium highlights the critical role of forensic chemistry in protecting the innocent, featuring exonerated individuals and experts who used DNA testing to prove their innocence. The event also emphasizes the need for reforming the criminal justice system to prevent future injustice.
A national study shows inconsistency in how and when incentives are used for research participants under criminal justice supervision. The study highlights the need for a standardized approach to equitable incentive practices for offenders across all correctional jurisdictions.
A new study found that donors show stronger judgments and increased concern for group members when they are part of a cohesive unit, leading to greater donations. In contrast, individuals from groups with negative traits receive less support.
Researchers have developed a new monitoring approach to track HIV-positive ex-offenders' access to community-based HIV care after release. The system uses encrypted data from the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program and corrections release data to identify barriers to care and guide future strategies.
A University of Missouri researcher studied the efforts of low-income Black men living in urban areas to negotiate social environments and found that many have developed five primary forms of resilience to overcome adversity. The study suggests that these resilience strategies can be taught and nurtured, and community members and gover...