Barriers to the Adoption of Technological Innovations in Corrections: A Review and Case Study

Over 600,000 criminal justice involved individuals are released from state and federal prisons each year, and close to 5,000,000 former offenders are placed under some form of community-based supervision. Access to services that may facilitate the reentry process is complicated and more often than not, returning citizens have significant and wide-ranging needs left unaddressed that require a comprehensive approach. In the current paper, we discuss the adoption and implementation processes of technological innovations noted in the criminal justice and correctional literature, as well as other disciplines, while using examples and lessons learned from a pilot project evaluating a new technology known as Pokket, which is a cloud-based service aimed at improving the re-entry process for returning citizens, service providers, and criminal justice agencies.

Absolute Measurement of Material Nonlinear Parameters Using Noncontact Air-Coupled Reception

Nonlinear ultrasound is often employed to assess microdamage or nonlinear elastic properties of a material, and the nonlinear parameter is commonly used to quantify damage sate and material properties. Among the various factors that influence the measurement of nonlinear parameters, maintaining a constant contact pressure between the receiver and specimen is important for repeatability of the measurement. The use of an air-coupled transducer may be considered to replace the contact receiver. In this paper, a method of measuring the relative and absolute nonlinear parameters of materials is described using an air-coupled transducer as a receiver. The diffraction and attenuation corrections are newly derived from an acoustic model for a two-layer medium and the nonlinear parameter formula with all corrections is defined. Then, we show that the ratio of the relative nonlinear parameter of the target sample to the reference sample is equal to that of the absolute nonlinear parameter, and this equivalence is confirmed by measurements on three systems of aluminum samples. The proposed method allows the absolute measurement of the nonlinear parameter ratio or the nonlinear parameter without calibration of the air-coupled receiver and removes restrictions on the selection of reference samples.

Trauma and healing in the underserved populations of homelessness and corrections: Forgiveness Therapy as an added component to intervention

The purpose of this article is to begin applying the principles of the psychology of forgiveness to people who are without homes and people who are in prisons. A review of the literature shows trauma for both groups. When the trauma is caused by unjust treatment by others, then excessive anger can result, compromising one's psychological and physical health. We review the interventions that have been offered for those without homes and the imprisoned to examine which existing programmes address such anger. Forgiveness Therapy, although untried in these two settings, may be one beneficial approach for substantially reducing unhealthy anger. Forgiveness interventions have shown a cause-and-effect relationship between learning to forgive and overcoming psychological compromise such as strong resentment and clinical levels of anxiety and depression. The literature review here suggests that forgiveness therapy for those without homes and the imprisoned may be a new and important consideration for ameliorating anger and aiding in a changed life pattern.

Progress in Corrections Worker Health: The National Corrections Collaborative Utilizing a Total Worker Health® Strategy

OBJECTIVE

To examine National Corrections Collaborative (NCC) activities, as an outreach initiative, to advance corrections workplace health and safety research, practice, and policy through a series of applied Research to Practice (r2p) meetings informed by the Total Worker Health(Total Worker Health is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) (TWH) strategy.

METHODS

We mapped the coalescence of correctional worker health concerns, federal and national professional organization initiatives, and research activities that formed the NCC in 2014.

RESULTS

During the NCC's 5-years of TWH activities, attendance increased, partner composition expanded, and themes of concern evolved. Partners were motivated to participate and work together towards building evidence for health and safety r2p.

CONCLUSIONS

A unified plea to the academic and federal research communities for assistance with better evaluation instruments, data linkages, and for adopting an integrated TWH approach to workforce health and wellbeing continue to drive NCC r2p activities.

Reminders of Everyday Misinformation Statements Can Enhance Memory for and Beliefs in Corrections of Those Statements in the Short Term

Fake-news exposure can cause misinformation to be mistakenly remembered and believed. In two experiments (Ns = 96), we examined whether reminders of misinformation could improve memory for and beliefs in corrections. Subjects read factual statements and misinformation statements taken from news websites and then read statements that corrected the misinformation. Misinformation reminders appeared before some corrections but not others. Subjects then attempted to recall facts, indicated their belief in those recalls, and indicated whether they remembered corrections and misinformation. In Experiment 1, we did not constrain subjects' report criteria. But in Experiment 2, we encouraged conservative reporting by instructing subjects to report only information they believed to be true. Reminders increased recall and belief accuracy. These benefits were greater both when misinformation was recollected and when subjects remembered that corrections had occurred. These findings demonstrate one situation in which misinformation reminders can diminish the negative effects of fake-news exposure in the short term.

Inmates' Self-Reported Physical and Mental Health Problems: A Comparison by Sex and Age

The present study explored the impact of both age and sex on inmates' self-reported physical and mental health problems. The inmates were older adults (55 or older) and housed in one of four correctional institutions from a state located in the northeastern region of the United States. Overall, findings revealed female inmates more often reported currently taking prescribed medications for mental or emotional problems and previously having been diagnosed with mental health problems prior to incarceration. Also, comparing male and female inmates by age categories (59 and younger vs. 60 and older), the older group was more likely to report a variety of physical problems including arthritis, diabetes, and glaucoma. Research and correctional policy implications are discussed.

Futurelessness, Risk Perceptions, and Commitment to Institutional Rules Among a Sample of Incarcerated Men and Women

Using self-reported surveys of a sample of 2,927 incarcerated men and women from correctional facilities of varying security levels in the United States, this study explores the interrelationship of futurelessness, perceived certainty and celerity of punishment, and commitment to institutional rules. Incarcerated individuals' commitment to rules with an adult sample has not been explored with consideration to emotionality. Findings suggest that futurelessness and risk perceptions are directly and significantly associated with commitment to institutional rules after controlling for several importation and deprivation factors associated with institutional misconduct. Contrary to the suggestions of prior research, risk perceptions did not mediate the futurelessness-commitment to institutional rules relationship. Direct quotes from study participants are included to contextualize and frame the policy implications of the findings. Theoretical implications and directions for future research are also discussed.

At a crossroads? Offender rehabilitation in Australian prisons

This article presents a commentary on the current status of offender rehabilitation in Australian prisons. Prompted by recent debates concerning the value of rehabilitation programs in reducing rates of re-imprisonment, it considers the current evidence to support the effectiveness of Australian correctional programs highlighting the importance of the prison social climate, the intensity and quality of treatment and the need for psychological treatment to be integrated within broader models of rehabilitation and reintegration.

Developing Computer-Based Learning on Care of Aged and Dying Incarcerated People

INTRODUCTION

Corrections agencies are exploring ways to securely and cost-effectively increase access to high-quality, evidence-based educational programs for personnel. Technology-based instructional tools hold strong potential for continuing education. The Institute for Healthcare Improvement's Framework for Going to Full Scale was employed to guide a systematic approach.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this article is to outline and describe the design and development of a media-rich interactive computer-based learning product, Enhancing Care for Aged and Dying in Prison, which addresses geriatric and end-of-life care issues in corrections.

METHOD

Through an iterative process, the research team developed the computer-based educational program that included program and module-specific objectives in alignment with goals and priorities of the end users, detailed evidence-based content that was engaging and visually appealing, and assessments aimed at testing the user's knowledge.

RESULTS

The Enhancing Care for Aged and Dying in Prison contains six modules, created under the careful guidance of the research team and the two advisory boards. Contents, including images and testimonials, were selected purposefully and strategically. Module objectives were developed in alignment with the goals and priorities of each module, and assessments tested user knowledge level pre/post module exposure. Completion of the training product advances the research and development necessary to further the goal of full-scale dissemination of the computer-based education.

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS

The goal of this program is to enhance care and improve quality of life for aged and dying inmates. Evidence-based training products are critical in preparing not only forensic nurses who work in corrections but also the broader group of correctional personnel in how to better meet the care needs of incarcerated persons.

An ethical analysis of medication treatment for opioid use disorder (MOUD) for persons who are incarcerated

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is highly prevalent among persons who are incarcerated. Medication treatment for opioid use disorder (MOUD), methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone, is widely used to treat OUD in the community. Despite MOUD's well-documented effectiveness in improving health and social outcomes, its use in American jails and prisons is limited.Several factors are used to justify limited access to MOUD in jails and prisons including: "uncertainty" of MOUD's effectiveness during incarceration, security concerns, risk of overdose from MOUD, lack of resources and institutional infrastructure, and the inability of people with OUD to provide informed consent. Stigma regarding MOUD also likely plays a role. While these factors are relevant to the creation and implementation of addiction treatment policies in incarcerated settings, their ethicality remains underexplored.Using ethical principles of beneficence/non-maleficence, justice, and autonomy, in addition to public health ethics, we evaluate the ethicality of the above list of factors. There is a two-fold ethical imperative to provide MOUD in jails and prisons. Firstly, persons who are incarcerated have the right to evidence-based medical care for OUD. Secondly, because jails and prisons are government institutions, they have an obligation to provide that evidence-based treatment. Additionally, jails and prisons must address the systematic barriers that prevent them from fulfilling that responsibility. According to widely accepted ethical principles, strong evidence supporting the health benefits of MOUD cannot be subordinated to stigma or inaccurate assessments of security, cost, and feasibility. We conclude that making MOUD inaccessible in jails and prisons is ethically impermissible.

It's Not the CSI Effect: Criminal Justice Students' Choice of Major and Career Goals

The media tends to influence public perceptions of the criminal justice system. The media's impact, known as the CSI Effect, is not well documented in criminal justice majors. The present study adds to a small body of literature regarding the impact of media on criminal justice students' decisions, and seeks to identify the factors that influence students' choices, regarding their major/career goals. Based on the results from surveys administered at an urban university in the United States, most criminal justice students reported that they were not influenced by the media, yet the vast majority believed this to be true of their fellow majors. These students chose criminal justice because they found the subject matter interesting and relevant to the real world, and they wanted to work in a field in which they could be a problem solver. Upon graduation, these students overwhelmingly reported an interest in pursuing a career in federal law enforcement. Unfortunately, corrections, a field dedicated to working with offenders, was the lowest preferred profession among criminal justice students.

"There's More to It Than Just a Box Check ": Measuring Prison Climate in Three Correctional Facilities

The imperative to heed social environment and power of the situation, particularly as applied to prison settings, dates to the 1971 Stanford Prison Experiment; the widely cited study concluded that situational factors, not personality, created the damaging conditions observed. Despite critical need for research on prison climate, measurement has met stiff challenges, and little research on prison culture exists in the United States. This study applies a 17-item scale, primarily based on Essen Climate Evaluation Schema (EssenCES), an instrument validated in Australia, Germany, and the United Kingdom. It was administered to inmates and staff in three correctional facilities in the U.S. Midwest, one medium security and two maximum security. Survey results demonstrate higher levels of cohesion at the medium-security facility, but multivariate analysis suggests a much more complex relationship between facility and environment, varying particularly in response to perceived inmate threat. Qualitative data suggest that understanding these associations is vital to building socially adaptive conditions and prosocial change.

What's the Point of Spiritual Care? A Narrative Response

This article assumes spiritual care is relevant for all people, regardless of their faith affiliation. Building on the author's work in narrative spirituality, the discussion demonstrates how spiritual care practitioners can engage clients in their lived narratives, with Narrative Empowerment being the end goal. Several therapeutic practices are thus revealed, as well as three traits by which a client's Narrative Empowerment can be described and assessed.

Designing Prison-Based Parenting Programs to Maximize Their Outcomes

Parenting programs are increasingly being offered in prison as governments seek to reduce the negative consequences of parental imprisonment and encourage desistance from crime. However, little is known about the design and delivery of such programs and how this may shape program effectiveness. This article seeks to address this gap by examining how the design and delivery of the Families Matter program for imprisoned adult fathers in Northern Ireland affected its ability to achieve its goals of improving family relationships and fathers' parenting skills. Examples of good practice are offered, as well as challenges that remain to be overcome. It is argued that more attention needs to be paid to the design and delivery of these programs if their ability to achieve long-term improvements in family relationships and parenting skills are to be improved.

A Preliminary Investigation of the Intersection of Race and Disabilities among Inmates in the U.S. State Prison System

The American prison system is overcrowded with minorities in general, and African Americans, in particular. The Department of Justice notes that more than 50% of the prison population have some type of mental disability. In this study, we examine the intersection between race and disabilities in the U.S. State prison system. Using the Rehabilitation Services Administration data set, the study highlights the prevalence and type of disabilities in the prison inmate population. Results demonstrate that African American inmates are overrepresented among inmates with disabilities, are more likely to have mental disabilities relative to physical disabilities, and these results hold for various types of mental disabilities including cognitive, psychosocial, and other mental disabilities. Study limitations and directions for future research are also discussed.

Misconduct Within the "Four Walls": Does Organizational Justice Matter in Explaining Prison Officers' Misconduct and Job Stress?

Primarily, this article examines the role of organizational justice in understanding prison officers' behavior. The authors surveyed 169 correctional officers across five correctional facilities in Ghana to explore the role of three organizational justice dimensions in prison misconduct and job stress. Results from the negative binomial and ordinal logistic analyses revealed the significant contributions of two dimensions of organizational justice in explaining misconduct and stress among officers. Officers who had higher perceptions of distributive fairness and interaction in the organization had lower odds of receiving misconduct-related complaints. Also, greater interaction was found to be associated with reduced job stress among prison officers. In addition, several officers' characteristics were found to predict the number of times officers received misconduct complaints.

Working with prisoners who self-harm: A qualitative study on stress, denial of weakness, and encouraging resilience in a sample of correctional staff

BACKGROUND

Rates of self-harm are high among prisoners. Most research focuses on the vulnerable prisoner, and there is little on the impact of these behaviours on staff.

AIMS

To investigate staff perceptions of self-harming behaviours by prisoners, including their views on its causes, manifestation, prevention in institutions, and impact on them.

METHODS

Semistructured interviews were conducted with 20 administrative and 21 therapeutic prison staff who are responsible in various ways for prisoners who self-harm. Their narratives were explored using interpretative phenomenological analysis.

RESULTS

Despite prison staff being experienced with prisoners' self-harming behaviours, including severe acts of self-harm, they were apt to reject any negative impact on their own mental health or well-being. This denial of negative impact was accompanied by perceptions of the inmate's actions being manipulative and attention seeking. Prison staff also perceived institutional responses to self-harming behaviours by prisoners as being mixed, ambiguous, or showing preference for relying on existing suicide protocols rather than task-specific guidance.

CONCLUSIONS

Although staff gave explanations of prisoner self-harm in terms of "manipulative behaviour," prisoners' self-harm is, in fact, complex, challenging, and often severe. This staff perception may reflect denial of impact of often distressing behaviours on them personally and their own coping mechanisms. This could be feeding in to a perceived lack of clear and effective institutional responses to the self-harm, so further research is needed to determine how staff could broaden their views, and respond more effectively to prisoners. Psychologically informed group work and/or reflective practice are among the candidates for such help for staff.

Inconsistent use of multiple comparison corrections in studies of population genetic structure: Are some type I errors more tolerable than others?

Studies of genetic population structure often involve numerous tests of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE), linkage disequilibrium (LD) and genetic differentiation. Tests of HWE or LD are important precursors to population structure assessments. When conducting multiple related statistical tests, type I error increases, e.g., familywise error rate (FWER) inflation. FWER inflation can alter the results of statistical tests and thus the conclusions. We surveyed literature from 2011 to 2013 to determine if studies of population structure assess LD and HWE and if FWER corrections were applied consistently across different types of tests. We found significantly inconsistent FWER corrections, with a bias towards less restrictive correction on genetic differentiation and more restrictive corrections with LD and HWE. While varied adjustments of FWER for different types of analyses might be justified, papers with inconsistent usage across tests of HWE, LD and genetic differentiation did not present rationale for their FWER corrections. We also found a lack of documentation of HWE, LD and FWER corrections in studies. We encourage the authors to report statistical tests and related FWER corrections, use FWER corrections consistently or justify their different methods in the same study.

Addressing Serious Violent Misconduct in Prison: Examining an Alternative Form of Restrictive Housing

A number of scholars, civil, and human rights activists have expressed concern about the negative impact restrictive housing may have on the physical and mental well-being of inmates. Rigorous, theoretically informed outcome evaluations, however, are virtually nonexistent. Guided by theory and existing empirical evidence, this study explores the future behavioral and mental health outcomes associated with completing an alternative approach to restrictive housing in the Arizona Department of Corrections. To explore program outcomes, we use paired-sample t tests to determine whether post-program behavior is significantly different from preprogram behavior. In addition, we use cross tabulations and independent samples t tests to identify relationships between individual-level inmate and program characteristics and program outcomes. Results from this study suggest that a more therapeutic restrictive status housing program has the potential to improve the future behavior of program graduates; however, future research is needed to build upon these findings.

The Limitations and Strengths of the Evidence-Based Practice Attitude Scale as a Measure of Correctional Employees' Attitudes: A Psychometric Evaluation

Evidence-based practices (EBPs) hold tremendous potential for improving the outcomes of corrections interventions. The implementation of EBPs requires support from staff at all levels of an organization; however, the study of correctional staff attitudes toward organizational change and EBPs is in its infancy. The current study examines the psychometric properties of the Evidence-Based Practice Attitude Scale (EBPAS), an instrument originally designed for mental health professionals, to measure correctional employees' readiness to implement EBPs. The results indicate mixed conclusions regarding the use of the EBPAS with correctional staff. We found that the total scale and subscales are reliable and exhibit high internal consistency. However, the results of an exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis failed to replicate the factor structure from previous research with mental health providers. The findings indicate potential drawbacks regarding the construct validity of the EBPAS for use with correctional personnel.

Pregnancy unshackled: Increasing equity through implementation of perinatal depression screening, shared decision making, and treatment for incarcerated women

BACKGROUND

Perinatal depression (PD) is one of the most common medical complications of pregnancy. The prevalence of women in correctional settings has grown eight-fold in the last 30 years. A quarter of these women were either pregnant or within a year postpartum when entering custody. Recommendations to screen and treat all pregnant women for PD are being implemented nationwide.

LOCAL PROBLEM

In 2016, 71% of pregnant women entering Milwaukee County Jail had minimal or no prenatal care and significant rates of high-risk medical and social risk factors. The jail system was not screening for PD.

METHODS

The Plan-Do-Study-Act method of quality improvement (QI), with four rapid cycles, was utilized. Patient tracer interviews and refusal rates were collected for baseline data two months preceding implementation. Data was analyzed using run charts to evaluate the impact of interventions on outcomes.

INTERVENTION

PD screening was implemented with the Edinburgh Perinatal Depression Scale, and if scored positive, the Healthwise shared decision-making tool was utilized for therapy options and treatment initiated.

RESULTS

A total of 101 women were seen, 93 were offered screening, 76 were screened, 43 were positive, and 37 started treatment within the facility. That is, 46% to 57 % of this aggregate of women who screen positive for PD and a decrease in patient refusal rates was seen throughout the process.

CONCLUSION

Rapid cycle QI was effective in standardizing PD screening and treatment. Replication of this project across correctional systems would help to bridge a gap of equitable care for incarcerated women.

Prison employment and post-traumatic stress disorder: Risk and protective factors

OBJECTIVES

To examine the prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in a sample of prison employees, investigate risk factors, and explore protective factors for PTSD.

METHODS

We surveyed 355 Washington State Department of Corrections employees. The survey included the PTSD checklist for the DSM-5 (PCL-5), the Critical Incident History Questionnaire, and the Work Environment Inventory.

RESULTS

We found 19% of the sample met the criteria for diagnosable PTSD. Several risk factors were associated with a higher PCL-5 score, including exposure to critical incidents, and having greater ambiguity in the job role. Being happy with job assignments and having positive relationships with supervisors and coworkers were associated with decreased PCL-5 score.

CONCLUSIONS

Prison employees have a PTSD rate equivalent to Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans and higher than police officers, suggesting the importance of developing programs for promoting resilience to stress, incorporating the knowledge gained on risk, and protective factors.

Implementation and Assessment of Dynamic Fluence Field Modulation with Multiple Aperture Devices

This work reports experimental results of dynamic fluence field modulation (FFM) using a dual multiple aperture devices (MAD) system. MAD filters use Moiré patterns produced by relative motions between two sets of thin, highly attenuating tungsten bars of varying widths and spacings. Each MAD was affixed to a linear actuator and installed on an experimental cone-beam CT bench. Phantom-specific FFM profiles were designed based on a flatness and minimum mean variance objectives and realized through a combination of MAD translations and pulse width modulation at a constant tube current. To properly correct for gains associated with the MAD filters, a correction algorithm was designed to account for focal spot shifts during scanning, as well as spectral effects from incomplete blockage of x-rays by the tungsten bars. The FFM designs were demonstrated in an elliptical phantom (25.8×14.1 cm). Variance and noise power spectrum (NPS) analysis was performed on the resulting reconstructions. While conventionalgain correction produced reconstructions with high frequency ring artifacts in axial slices, the proposed correction algorithm effectively removed such artifacts while preserving phantom details. Fluence field designs for the elliptical phantom were achievedusing relative MAD motions over a 0.44 mm range, and measured beam profiles closely approximated the theoretically computed target profiles. The noise properties of the resulting reconstructions behave as expected: a flat detected fluence criterion yields nearly isotropic NPS and more homogeneous variance across the reconstruction as compared to an unmodulated scan; the minimum mean variance FFM results in lower mean variance compared to both the unmodulated and flat-field patterns at approximately matched total bare-beam fluence. These results suggest that a dual-MAD CT is an effective approach to provide fluence and image quality control and that can potentially accommodate a wide range of phantoms and design objectives.