Psychologists as ‘the quiet ones with the power’: understanding indeterminate sentenced prisoners’ experiences of psychological risk assessment in the United Kingdom

ABSTRACT

Prisoners serving indeterminate sentences in the United Kingdom do not know when or if they will be released from prison. Release and progression decisions are determined by the risk the ISP presents of reoffending. This makes the assessment of risk a high stakes business for ISPs. Whilst there is a large body of literature focused on prisoners’ general experiences of prison, there is an absence of specific empirical exploration of prisoners’ experiences of risk assessment. This paper aims to address this gap by reporting the results of a qualitative exploration of ISPs’ experiences of psychological risk assessment. Interviews with 10 ISPs were conducted and analysed using Grounded Theory methods. Analysis indicated that prisoners experienced the prison environment as characterised by violence, volatility and suffering. Psychological risk assessment is embedded within this emotionally and physically challenging context but also contributes to the experience of suffering. Within this context, prisoners felt stuck, powerless and out of control in relation to risk assessment, and experienced psychologists as untrustworthy yet powerful. Understanding prisoners’ experiences is the first step in resolving some of the long-reported difficulties in working relationships between psychologists and prisoners as well as making the process more procedurally just.     

环境群体性事件集体行动生成及消解:对典型个案的扎根分析

环境群体性事件一直秉持"污染侵害--群体施压"的逻辑框架,但与之相关的研究进路却忽略了对群体事件参与者内部动员、组织、集结及消解过程的分析。本文通过对大连"7·l6"海洋溢油事故后引发的渔民群体维权事件进行扎根分析发现,群体行动诱因、权变因素、群体行动共识形成、村庄网络化动员、集体行动生成、内部组织消解的核心范畴对环境群体性事件生成及消解有着显著影响,进而建构包含上述核心范畴的环境群体性事件参与者内部集结及消解路径模型,并阐释了模型中各因素内涵的相互关系。旨在研究结论对地方政府科学应对环境群体性事件具有一定的参考价值。     

Defining appropriateness in coach-athlete sexual relationships: The voice of coaches

Abstract

The sporting culture, with omnipotent coaches, fierce competition for recognition and funding, and ‘win at all costs’ ethos, creates an environment conducive to sexual exploitation of athletes. Recent increased public awareness and the development of child protection policies in sport have led to the questioning of previously accepted coach-athlete relationships. This study is an exploratory investigation into male swimming coaches' perceptions of appropriateness of coach-athlete sexual relationships. Sexual relationships with athletes under the age of 16 were unanimously considered totally inappropriate. With regard to sexual relationships with athletes above the age of consent, opinions ranged from ‘totally inappropriate’ to ‘it’s a question of civil liberties.' These results are discussed in relation to how coaches have adapted their own behaviours in the face of public scrutiny but are still reluctant to restrict the rights of their fellow coaches.     

WHERE IS THE JUSTICE? PARENTAL EXPERIENCES OF THE CANADIAN JUSTICE SYSTEM IN CASES OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE*

Research concerning child victims of sexual abuse in the judicial system cites largely negative experiences and outcomes. However, few investigations focus on parental experiences of the justice system. Using a grounded theory method this Canadian study explored parental experiences of legal and judicial processes for child sexual abuse victims. Nineteen in‐depth interviews with parents encountering the justice system, as well as interviews with professionals working in those systems were analyzed. Results show a wide range of experiences, with parents reporting predominantly negative outcomes that potentially impede healing for children, indicating earlier judicial reforms have not been realized. Recommendations call for structural changes in the judicial system and more provision of parent‐focused supports.     

领导部属交换认知结构的探索性研究

通过对15个部门或团队32位员工的开放式访谈、半开放式访谈,运用扎根理论方法对员工LMX认知的结构体系进行了探索性研究。结果表明:LMX认知的结构是一个多维的构思,包括:上司尊重、不公平对待、支持协助、圈内归属、回报义务五个维度;LMX认知的五个认知维度之间并不是完全独立的,彼此存在一定的联系;LMX认知的动力基础主要来自于上司和员工两个层面。     

化工产业重组中的就业效应分析——基于扎根理论的案例研究

本文对化工产业重组中的就业效应及其影响因素进行了案例研究.首先,本文结合宏观数据和访谈结论,对重组中就业总教应进行了初步判断.接下来,与以往采用大样本数据进行定量研究的方法不同,本文采用扎根理论研究策略分析访谈记录,归纳得出重组中就业效应的四个影响因素,以期更细致的描述因素作用的内部机理.最后,本文结合文献和实证结果对研究结论进行了解释.     

基于IGBT新型消弧接地装置的研究

在消弧线圈接地补偿基础上,提出了一种基于IGBT新型消弧接地补偿装置。该装置采用跟踪型PWM技术对接地故障电流进行补偿,补偿速度快、范围宽,并克服了由传统消弧线圈的引入对系统产生的不良影响,可以随时补偿,随时退出运行。采用专业的PSCAD/EMTDCTM和MATLABTM对模型进行仿真,仿真结果表明,该方法可以有效地对接地电流补偿。     

A qualitative exploration of the experience of restorative approaches in a forensic mental health setting

Restorative justice (RJ) is an intervention gaining worldwide recognition in criminal justice systems and other settings. There is a growing evidence base demonstrating positive outcomes in a number of domains, but we found no previous research focussed upon the use of RJ in a forensic mental health setting. This study used a constructivist grounded theory analysis of semi-structured interviews to explore and develop a deeper understanding of RJ practices interventions in such a setting. Ten participants including RJ facilitators, patients and mental health staff took part in research interviews. Restorative interventions were found to be congruent with models of mental health and offender recovery. Processing emotions, developing thinking and coherent narrative, and immediacy are found to be key components of the intervention. The emergent model highlights the role of containment and a high level of facilitator skill when working with a complex, vulnerable and potentially unstable client group.