Marginality or Neglect

Abstract

While the number of females imprisoned in America is significantly smaller than that of their male counterparts, the growth rate of incarcerated women over the last two decades has outpaced that of men. This increase can largely be attributed to stringent crime control policies, particularly regarding drug-related offenses. Within the same period of time the number of aging inmates has also increased. An exploratory telephone census of all state Department of Corrections and the Federal of Bureau of Prison reveal a pattern of malign neglect toward aging female inmates. Despite the growth in the female inmate population, federal and state policies and programs neglect the unique living environment, health care and programming needs of aging female inmates. After reviewing the growth patterns and projections for female inmates, state and federal policies will be examined to determine which, if any, are arguably gender-specific.     

Static risk factors predict sexual misconduct among incarcerated female sexual offenders

Abstract

Although there has been a great deal of research conducted on sexual offenders in recent years, the vast majority of studies have focused on male perpetrators. Little is known about female sexual perpetrators, due primarily to the small number of offenders/offences and sociocultural factors. This study evaluated if there was an association between static risk factors [as delineated by the Static-99 and Rapid Risk Assessment for Sex Offender Recidivism (RRASOR)] and institutional sexual misconduct for incarcerated female sexual offenders. In addition to demographic information, total Static scores were obtained from a file review along with institutional conduct reports. The STATIC-99 and RRASOR scores from intake information significantly predicted sexual conduct reports in prison.     

Inmates' Social Background and Living Conditions

Central criminological theoretical approaches, such as strain theory, control theory and critical theory, have as precondition that offenders often are marginalized and belong to the lower classes in society. Particularly the prison population has been assumed to suffer from severe material and social conditions. In the case of Norway, the empirical evidence on this assumption has been scarce and a broader and systematic approach has been lacking. This paper presents findings from a survey of the standard of living among a Norwegian prison population. Conventional measurements of welfare are examined, including accumulation of welfare deficiencies and situation at release. The findings indicate that the prison population live under very poor conditions, and are confronted with major difficulties at release concerning housing, money and work. The interpretation is emphasizing the living conditions as opportunity structures where welfare deficiencies put limits to the individuals' possibility to govern their own lives. Hence, inadequate living conditions should not necessarily be considered as causes of crime, but as a narrowed opportunity structure where other choices are limited.     

Introduction

In Sweden, female prison officers are a long-established fact. Today women make up about 38% of the prison officer work-force. However, the distribution of sexes in the organization is quite uneven between different types of prison wings and units, and at the in-group level there is an informal gendered division of labour going on. The article deals with how a gendered division of labour comes about as a result of socially established motives and notions among prison officers, as well as prisoners, about men's and women's different qualities in performing different types of work tasks. It is based on data from a minor interview study (from 2006), and a 3-year multi-strategic research project containing qualitative case-studies and a nationwide survey (from 2007–2009). The article concludes that a great number of female officers contribute to a more prominent position for the rehabilitative side of prison work. However, the on-going gendered division of labour in and between wings and units is also one important factor behind sub-cultural differentiation and variations in work practices in the prison organization. A more balanced distribution of the sexes would stimulate rehabilitative work and a more unified view of the occupational role throughout the whole organization.     

Understanding the links between perceived prison conditions and prison staff

In the Dutch prison system, motivational treatment is seen as one of the key contributors to a dignified and humane prison climate, stimulating inmates to assume personal responsibility and to change their lives. Staff are seen as the crucial factor to attaining this goal. The assumption is that the staff’s work situation has an impact on how inmates are treated. How inmates are treated in turn influences how they perceive prison conditions. In this study, we will examine the correlations between work situation, treatment styles and perceived prison conditions by means of a multilevel linear regression. The results show that a good work situation for prison staff is a precondition for practicing an active approach to inmates. In addition, inmates are more satisfied with the prison conditions if the various treatment styles are thoroughly applied. A balance between providing support and structure for inmates appears to be very important. Motivational treatment proves to be significantly correlated to the inmates’ satisfaction regarding prison conditions.     

刑法修订对监狱工作的影响及对策思考

作为一次里程碑式的刑法修订,刑法修正案（八）对社会的方方面面产生了很大的影响。监狱作为刑罚执行机关,刑法修订无疑将对其监狱管理工作产生巨大影响,尤其是重刑犯监狱,面临的改造罪犯难度和安全防范压力将会加大。为确保刑法修正案（八）实施产生良好的预期社会效果,监狱的建设和保障必须及时跟进,同时监狱民警也需加强自身建设,积极适应政策、法律调整的需要,推进监管安全基础建设,不断提高监狱执法和管理水平。     

论监狱布局

监狱选址与监狱布局既有联系又有区别。监狱布局与监狱总平面布局是两个不同的概念。观念因素、经济因素和监狱管理体制影响监狱的布局。我国现在的监狱布局存在着诸多问题。调整监狱布局时应考虑多种因素。     

新时期对外籍罪犯管理的一些思考

随着我国对外开放的不断扩大,传统的跨国性犯罪,如:洗钱、毒品、黑社会性质组织、恐怖组织等犯罪不断侵入国内并有逐年增加的趋势。云南省监狱关押的外籍犯罪人数也逐年增加。由于外籍犯罪人员情况复杂,给监狱的管理、教育、改造工作提出了新的挑战。探索和构建一套长期有效、科学、系统、规范的管理,教育、改造机制势在必行。