An experimental study of a therapeutic boot camp: Impact on impulses, attitudes and recidivism

Two hundred thirty four adult male inmates entering prison were randomly assigned to an early release program in either a correctional boot camp or a large, traditional prison in the Maryland state correctional system. Boot camp releasees had marginally lower recidivism compared to those released from the traditional prison. A pre-test, post-test self report survey indicated the boot camp program had little impact on criminogenic characteristics except for a lowering of self control. In contrast, inmates in prison became more antisocial, lower in self control, worse in anger management, and reported more criminal tendencies by the end of their time in prison. Criminogenic attitudes and impulses were significantly associated with recidivism. The impact of the boot camp diminished to non-significance when antisocial attitudes or anger management problems were added to the models predicting recidivism. Implications for jurisdictions considering whether to operate correctional boot camps are discussed.     

法的局限性及其司法矫正

根源于法本身的特性,制定法具有不可排除的种种局限性特征,然而以实现正义和公正为目的的法律,在被实施过程中必须弥补和矫正这种局限性带来的负面影响。通过司法途径来矫正法的局限性,不仅是正当的,也是合理的;法官在司法过程中对法律的解释、对法的发展和对法的局限性的矫正显得尤为重要和有意义,但是法官解释法律会受到种种因素的制约;为了更好的发挥司法对法的局限性的矫正功能,必须完善法官解释法律的体制和技术问题,而最重要的是解决法官素质问题。     

An investigation into the risk perceptions held by maximum security correctional officers

Maximum security correctional officers play a crucial role in the establishment of order within their respective institutions of employment, yet they are also exposed to numerous occupational dangers that can threaten their general welfare. When they perceive high levels of injurious risk from workplace hazards, this cannot only jeopardize their job performance but lead to a poorly managed prison institution. Currently though, few studies have explored correctional officer perceptions of workplace dangers and risks, and even fewer have explored the factors that influence officer perceived risk of injury. Questionnaire data from a statewide population of maximum security correctional officers (N?=?649) were gathered in order to examine officer perceived risk of injury from workplace dangers, and the antecedents to this judgment. Results illustrated how officers perceived a high degree of injurious risk from their work, and that their risk perceptions were largely a product of psychological features of dangers. Theoretical and policy implications are discussed.     

The ‘Short Addiction Program’: experiences from an intervention by the correctional services in Norway

Do participants in a short term training program in prison find that it helps them to cope with their addiction better than before? This article explores the effects of a pilot project conducted in two Norwegian prisons. The study is based on interviews with 16 participants. The data show that the program increased inmates’ motivation and provided them with better tools to deal with their addiction. The conclusion is therefore that this kind of program could be the first step towards enabling prisoners with addictions to cope better with the challenges involved.     

Research note: career stage and job satisfaction among southern correctional officers

The career stage theory postulates that employees go through different career stages, and each career stage has different effects on various outcomes, such as job satisfaction. There has been empirical support for the career stage theory from other disciplines, but there has been limited research relating to this theory to corrections. To expand the literature, the current study examined whether different career stages were significant predictors of job satisfactions, while including the personal characteristics and the workplace place variables among Texas correctional officers. The results supported the career state theory: job satisfaction was highest during the entry stage (0–2 years), but was lowest during the second career stage (2–5 years). In career stages three (5–15 years) and four (16+ years), job satisfaction rose. Possible interventions that correctional administrators can undertake to encourage job satisfaction from their staff during the second career stage are discussed.     

德国环境损害赔偿法律问题初探

德国环境损害赔偿立法的历史悠久,其相应的法律法规较完备。针对其环境侵权损害赔偿的立法,德国理论界根据环境侵权损害赔偿责任产生的基础将之分为三类:即以容忍为前提的牺牲性责任、危险性责任和一般侵权责任。德国环境损害赔偿立法以改善受害人的法律地位、侧重人身损害赔偿以及重视对生态破坏的赔偿为主要价值取向。目前,德国正准备制定一部统一的环境损害赔偿法,德国的这一做法对于和德国环境损害赔偿立法较相似的我国来说,具有非常重要的借鉴意义。     

城市居民住房满意度及其影响因素

让居民对其住房感到满意是建设和谐社会的一项重要内容。与一般商品的消费不同,居民对其住房满意与否不仅涉及到住房的品质和价格,还涉及到与此相关的外部环境,如小区环境、物业管理以及配套设施等因素。基于"适当性-重要性加权"模型,本研究从一个较为全面的视角探讨了城镇居民住房满意度水平的影响因素。研究发现:(1)住房的面积、住房的品质、小区环境以及物业管理等因素对居民住房满意度有着显著的影响。不过,这些因素的影响不及居民的家庭成员人数和对经济负担的主观感受等因素,更不及住房相关的公共配套设施对居民住房满意度的影响;(2)公共配套设施因素中的次类因素,如基础教育、医疗卫生以及生活服务设施等,对居民的住房满意度都有显著的影响。     

对我国未成年犯矫正制度若干问题的思考

我国未成年人犯罪现象越来越严重,对未成年犯的教育改造也面临着严峻的挑战,我国未成 年犯矫正制度的不完善是导致这一现象产生的重要原因。立法者应借鉴外国对未成年罪犯进 行矫正的一些有益经验,促进我国未成年犯矫正制度的不断完善。