Self-control strength in prison inmates with antisocial personality disorder

The present study aimed to examine the difference in self-control strength between individuals with and without antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) in a Chinese male prisoner sample. Thirty-seven male inmates who met the criteria for DSM-IV ASPD and 38 who did not were asked to watch a four-minute silent videotape of an interview, and ignore the words displayed on screen during the videotape to deplete their ego strength. A handgrip task was conducted both before and after watching the videotape, with participants’ time squeezing the handgrip being the dependent variable. Result showed a significant interaction between group (ASPD/no-ASPD group) and time (baseline/post-manipulation measure). The post-manipulation result was significantly worse than the baseline result for the ASPD group, but not for the no-ASPD group. These results indicate that tasks that contribute to ego depletion lead to a deficit of self-control strength in prisoners with ASPD.     

The challenges of prisoner reentry faced by Native American returning offenders

This article examines the economic, social, and cultural challenges American Indian¹1. We recognize there are no universally accepted or accurate labels for the Indigenous Peoples of North America. Although individual tribal names are preferred, we have chosen to use the term American Indian or Native American to represent the collective population that is present within this study.View all notes inmates face as they reintegrate back into a rural reservation community. Utilizing surveys, focus groups, and in-depth interviews with a variety of stakeholder groups, including community corrections, law enforcement, treatment providers, and tribal leaders, this research explores the reentry challenges faced by Native American returning offenders. Findings indicated that although similarities exist with other reentry populations, especially other minority groups, several unique challenges appear. The possible policy implications of these findings for the reentry process are also discussed.     

未成年犯中短刑犯的特点与改造对策

未成年犯中的短刑犯在服刑前缺乏约束,游荡社会,造成在服刑过程中呈现出态度散漫、自觉改造较难、急功近利、改造积极性差的新特点。我们必须在重新认识短刑犯特点的基础上,正视短刑犯教育改造的复杂性与艰巨性,增强刑事奖励的时效性,重新审视我们对短刑犯的教育改造手段和方法。     

Patterns of violence and self-harm in women prisoners: characteristics,co-incidence and clinical significance

Self-harm and violence in women’s prisons in England are common and occurring with increasing frequency. We aimed to describe the characteristics and patterns of violent and/or self-harming behaviours in women in prison by conducting a retrospective analysis of routine data about self-harm incidents and adjudications. Incidence rates of self-harm and violence were calculated and associated factors explored using logistic regression. We found that only 6.7% of 5486 women prisoners self-harmed and 7.9% had been violent. Eighty per cent of all self-harm incidents related to 70 women. Almost 4 in 10 women prisoners who self-harmed were also violent. Multiple incarcerations and court movements are associated with incidents of self-harm and violence. Women with high-frequency self-harm (≥6) began self-harming early in their custodial period. We conclude that women prisoners who are very behaviourally disturbed can and should be identified early. They warrant clinical formulation and multi-agency responses to risk. Those with high-frequency self-harm should be cared for by external health services.     

Doing time after time: an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of reformed ex-prisoners' experiences of self-change,identity and career opportunities

Abstract

The study of desistance from crime has generated a wealth of research in the last few decades. Despite the many barriers ex-prisoners face when attempting to ‘go straight’ many successfully lead law-abiding lives. Two key features identified in criminal desistance are a shift to a pro-social identity and worthwhile employment or the development of a new career path. There is, however, little psychological knowledge available on reformed offenders' experiences of self-change. This study focuses on ex-prisoners' experiences of employment and career opportunities. Five male reformed offenders took part in semi-structured interviews. Data collected was subjected to an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Participants demonstrated that desistance involves a shift to a pro-social identity and that self-change was a positive experience. An important aspect to emerge was the conflict experienced by the label ‘ex-offender’, which had a contradictory influence on the men's sense of self.     

论监狱在押服刑人员人身权保障限度

自由刑对于在押服刑人员权利剥夺和限制的应有的必要限度,究竟在哪里？对于监狱在押服刑人员人身权的具体内容,究竟哪些应该保障,究竞应该如何保障？如何在在押服刑人员人身权保障和合理监禁与惩罚两者之间形成有效平衡？对此,很多人的认识并不够清晰;而观念的模糊以及制度、体制等各方面原因,导致了在押服刑人员人身权在监狱行刑实践中的缺损。由此,就我国监狱在押服刑人员人身权保障的应然限度进行深入探讨,对于进一步澄清模糊观念,进一步强化监狱工作者们对于在押服刑人员的权利保障意识,具有一定的理论和实践意义。     

和谐之音：抗战时期的延安日本工农学校

日本工农学校,1940年10月成立于宝塔山西麓。其办学宗旨为宣扬中国共产党俘虏政策之精神,改造渐多之日军战俘。学校通过行动感化、理论讲述、生活照顾等方式对日本战俘进行再教育并使之转化。在清除法西斯主义毒害之后,他们或加入八路军,或服务于反战组织,其中许多人在战后也一直为中日友好做贡献。     

在服刑人员中开展阅读疗法的可行性分析

作为特殊的群体，服刑人员的改造和教育是一个复杂的行业问题，也是关系到稳定与和谐的社会问题。利用阅读疗法，在监狱服刑人员中开展心理矫治和治疗，是提高监狱管理效能，加强监区文化建设的探索和创新。其理论构建和现实操作层面的可行性论证，是在服刑人员中开展阅读疗法所要首先解决的问题。     

PAROLEE RECIDIVISM IN CALIFORNIA: THE EFFECT OF NEIGHBORHOOD CONTEXT AND SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY CHARACTERISTICS*

We studied a sample of reentering parolees in California in 2005–2006 to examine whether the social structural context of the census tract, as well as nearby tracts, along with the relative physical closeness of social service providers affects serious recidivism resulting in imprisonment. We found that a 1 standard deviation increase in the presence of nearby social service providers (within 2 miles) decreases the likelihood of recidivating 41 percent and that this protective effect was particularly strong for African American parolees. This protective effect was diminished by overtaxed services (as proxied by potential demand). We found that higher concentrated disadvantage and social disorder (as measured by bar and liquor store capacity) in the tract increases recidivism and that higher levels of disadvantage and disorder in nearby tracts increase recidivism. A 1 standard deviation increase in the concentrated disadvantage of the focal neighborhood and the surrounding neighborhoods increases the likelihood of recidivating by 26 percent. The findings suggest that the social context to which parolees return (both in their own neighborhood and in nearby neighborhoods), as well as the geographic accessibility of social service agencies, play important roles in their successful reintegration.     

论对服刑人员的挫折教育

服刑人员在关押过程中极易产生有别于普通人群的挫折心理，不仅危害其身心健康，更容易导致监狱化人格，加剧了其再社会化的难度、削弱了教育矫正的效果。监狱及社会应关注服刑人员的心理健康问题，在保证刑罚惩罚性的前提下，改善对服刑人员的处遇方式，积极探索心理健康教育模式和心理矫治模式，转交教育观念，提高服刑人员的抗挫折能力，培养服刑人员的健全人格。