Who receives substance abuse treatment in the ‘real world’ of the prison? A register-based study of Finnish inmates

Assessing and targeting substance abuse-related treatment needs according to evidence-based practice has become the norm in most prison administrations. Not everyone with a need will, however, receive support in practical settings. Drawing on Finnish prison registers, we show that of all prisoners released in 2011, 60% were assessed as having a need for substance abuse-related support. Of these, 22% received an intervention in prison. Two multivariate models were used to examine the factors related to selection into interventions. The main factors associated with receiving an intervention with evidence-based programmes were a longer sentence, Finnish nationality, younger age and treatment motivation. The predictors for any substance abuse interventions (including non-evidence-based) were the same, with the exception that motivation was no longer a significant predictor, and female gender remained significant. The selective use of motivation as an entrance criterion for interventions can be a means of systemic adaptation to a combination of a high prevalence of substance abuse problems and a lower prevalence of treatment motivation in the prison population. We discuss how our results might reflect a Scandinavian way of doing evidence-based, prison-based drug treatment—one that stresses rehabilitation as a goal in itself in addition to reducing recidivism. Most prisoners, however, do not receive any intervention at all.     

A Special Youth Sanction

Under the label ‘youth sanction’ (ungdomssanktion) a new type of sentence for juvenile offenders has been enacted by a 2001 amendment to the Danish Penal Code. The study reported here is an analysis of the 55 sentences imposed over the first year. Widespread disparity and disproportionality in sentencing was found. Statutory requirements regarding the seriousness of the individual case have not in all instances been satisfactorily established. The emergence of the new sanction implies a considerable increase in the intensity of intervention. Being based on a revitalized treatment ideology, the new criminal sanction legitimizes a vast widening of the control measures directed against troubled youth, in particular such offenders who has another ethnic background than Danish. No comprehensive programme or coherent vision regarding treatment methods has been stipulated, and professionals are bewildered and in disagreement regarding such issues. Nothing indicates that the costly efforts will prove to be adequate as rehabilitative and crime preventive tools. The introduction of the youth sanction is part of a contemporary criminal policy agenda dominated by a broad political coalition with an urge to demonstrate ability and readiness to cope with juvenile street crime by employing more ‘consequent’ measures, involving tougher and swifter punishment combined with coerced rehabilitation.     

Exploring Agreement on Appropriate Responses to Domestic Violence and Sexual Trauma Across Victim Advocates,Mental Health Service Providers,and Substance Abuse Treatment Providers

Abstract

Research suggests that survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault are more at risk than the general population for substance abuse and/or mental health disorders (Kendler et al., 2000). Additionally, research suggests that survivors of both crimes are at risk to be “multiply diagnosed-have” a history of victimization, a mental health diagnosis, and abuse of alcohol and drugs (Steele & Rechberger, 2002). While advocates have called for a change in the treatment of trauma survivors to treat their multiple needs, the availability of collaborative care between victim advocates and behavioral health professionals remains questionable. Using survey data collected from victim advocates, mental health service providers, and substance abuse treatment providers, this study assesses the extent to which providers of different backgrounds agree on how to effectively and appropriately serve domestic violence and sexual assault survivors-the first step in achieving the goal of holistic care.     

正畸治疗前后腭皱的法医同一认定研究

目的利用腭皱模型分析法评价腭皱形态的个体独特性及正畸治疗前后腭皱形态的稳定性,探索腭皱形态在法医齿科学个体识别应用中的可靠性。方法分别收集70例正畸治疗前、后的上颌模型。通过模型测量分析对腭皱形态及个体识别进行检测,包括数量、方向、形状及长度的变化和近、远中侧端点分别在近远中向及前后方向上的位移。同时对正畸治疗前、后及正畸治疗后与其复制后腭皱模型进行配对检测,计算其平均正确配对率(%)。结果 (1)正畸治疗后腭皱数量、方向、形状及长度均有变化,表现为长度变化(28.6%);分裂(4.3%);联合(2.9%);方向变化(1.4%);形状变化(1.4%)。并且治疗后腭皱远中端点的前后向位移变化占45.7%,近远中向位移占40%;而腭皱近中端在在前后向和在近远中向上位移变化分别为32.9%和17.1%。(2)正畸治疗前组及正畸治疗后组不同个体均未发现相同的腭皱模式。(3)正畸治疗前、后模型的腭皱平均正确配对率为92.19%。而治疗后模型与复制后模型的腭皱平均正确配对率是99.05%。结论腭皱形态具有高度的个体特异性,尽管正畸治疗后腭皱的形态有一定变化,但仍可作为一种新的方法应用于法医齿科的同一认定。     

Individuals’ experiences of sexual offending therapy in a forensic psychiatric setting

There is a paucity of research exploring individuals’ experiences of sexual offending therapy, particularly in forensic psychiatric settings. This study qualitatively explored the perspectives of six male medium-secure patients regarding the treatment programme they completed to address their sexual offending behaviour. Thematic analysis of interviews generated two themes: the experience of transition through the programme and the experience of engagement. The importance of gaining service-user feedback and the implications for programme design and delivery are discussed.     

Differential Parental Treatment,Sibling Relationships and Delinquency in Adolescence

The present study examined the moderating effect of the quality of the sibling relationship on the longitudinal association of parental treatment with theft, vandalism, and violence in adolescence. Participants were 416 sibling pairs which were studied over a one-year period. The younger siblings were aged 13 to 15, the older siblings 14 to 17 at Time 1. No significant effects were found for mixed-sex dyads. For same-sex dyads, the results suggested that when the relationship was of poor quality, younger boys who felt treated less favorably by their mothers were most likely to show high levels of vandalism and violence, while younger girls who felt treated less favorably were most likely to show high levels of theft. No such effects were found for older siblings. These findings indicate that differential parental treatment and the quality of the sibling relationship have gender-specific effects on adolescents’ delinquency and have a different meaning for younger than for older siblings.

An Explosion of a CNG Fuel Vessel in an Urban Bus

Abstract: An investigation is presented of the explosion of a CNG (compressed natural gas) fuel vessel, called a liner, in an urban bus. The explosion happened at a gas station 10 min after filling was completed. There were no traces of soot and flames at the failed liner, which would be indicative of explosion by ignition of the gas. The filling process of the station was automatically monitored and recorded in a computer. There was no unusual record of the filling system that indicated excess pressure at the time of the accident. There were cracks on the liner that were initiated at the outer surface of the cylindrical shell located at a point 4 cm above the lower dome where cracks did not originate easily as a result of overload. Chemical analysis was performed on a specimen that was cut from the liner, and there was no peculiarity in the mix. Mechanical analysis was performed on the specimens and showed that the hardness was not in the specified range because of inadequate heat treatment of the metal. The hardness of the liner was strictly controlled in the manufacturing process. All the liners that were manufactured at the same period with the failed liner were recalled for examination.     

院前急救法律关系探究——患者拨打120后的法律关系分析

120急救中心与患者的关系在院前医疗法律关系研究中还处于一个相对薄弱的研究领域,理论界对其研究不够成熟,实务界也存在很多问题。关于两者法律关系的定位及120急救中心的性质、权利义务等问题尚待进一步确实。通过对120急救中心的性质分析,及其与患者之间的法律关系定位,以及医疗急救服务合同的内容的分析等方面阐述自己的一点看法。最后通过一点建议希望能对实务有所借鉴和启发。     

初探精神鉴定中人为性鉴定失误行为

目前,我国尚无统一的精神卫生法,关于鉴定人员在鉴定中的行为,缺少相应的法律规范。而由于各种原因所致,鉴定中时有“人为性鉴定失误”现象发生。致使精神正常人被错关入院的案例不断出现。文章对该现象出现的原因、该不当行为的违法性,进行具体分析。并提出关于消除该现象的个人观点。以期能对未来我国精神卫生法的制定有所启发。     

我国反就业歧视法律规控研究

就业歧视现象在我国普遍存在,而反就业歧视法制相当落后。就业歧视的本质特征是没有正当理由的差别对待,法律禁止就业歧视的主要目的是保障平等就业权并实现社会正义。在市场化就业背景下,反就业歧视必须正确处理用工自主权与平等就业权这对“轴心”权利的相互关系。我国应当以正面赋予劳动者平等就业权作为反就业歧视的权利基础,以准确界定就业歧视作为反就业歧视的中心任务,从立法、执法和司法三个层面逐步建立健全我国反就业歧视的法律规控体系。