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Chaguendo-Quintero MA, Quintero-Monjes D, Cuervo MT, Sanabria-Mazo JP. Alterations in executive functions in inmates convicted for violent behavior: a systematic review. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1066474. [PMID: 37663323 PMCID: PMC10468974 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1066474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The growth of the prison population and the high recidivism rates of inmates represent a major public safety problem. Objective This systematic review explored executive functions in inmates convicted of violent behavior compared with inmates convicted of non-violent behavior and healthy controls (HCs). Methods Systematic searches were carried out using five databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, EBSCO, and Embase) until March 6th, 2023. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, two reviewers independently performed the screening, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment of the 8 studies included. The protocol of this study was registered in Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO), under registration number CRD42021252043. Results Consistently, inmates convicted of violent behavior exhibited a greater alteration in inhibition than inmates convicted of non-violent behavior (four out of four studies) and HCs (two out of two studies). In addition, inmates convicted of violent behavior showed greater impairments in cognitive flexibility (two out of three studies) and working memory (two out of three studies) than HCs. Although with limited evidence (only one study), they also showed worse performance in set shifting and planning than HCs. Conclusion This study provides evidence of alterations in inhibition in inmates convicted of violent behavior compared to inmates convicted of non-violent behavior and HCs. Even though inmates convicted of violent behavior showed greater impairments in planning and set shifting than HCs, these findings were supported in only one study. In general, more robust evidence is needed to confirm alterations in inmates convicted due to violent behavior. These findings highlight the importance of designing and promoting specific cognitive interventions that contribute to the reintegration of inmates into society. Systematic review registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021252043, identifier CRD42021252043.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Maria Teresa Cuervo
- Department of Social Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Cali, Colombia
| | - Juan P. Sanabria-Mazo
- Teaching, Research, and Innovation Unit, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Dèu, Barcelona, Spain
- Centre for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Basic, Developmental, and Educational Psychology, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Braga MS, Yano Souza Martins L, Leão FMG, Viana BDM. Older adults sex offender: Five case series in a Brazilian population. J Forensic Sci 2023; 68:696-703. [PMID: 36755512 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.15216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Sexual assault perpetrated by older adults is still an underreported crime and is not fully understood. To describe a series of cases of sexual assault by Brazilian older adults and discuss the associated factors based on the literature. This is a cross-sectional descriptive analysis of five cases of older adults accused of sexual assault in the Forensic Psychiatry sector of the Medical Legal Institute (Coroner's Office) in the City of Belo Horizonte'. This review focuses on five cases involving male defendants with a mean age of 59.75 years; two with previous psychiatric treatment, and one with a previous criminal record. Their victims were prepubescent children, four of them female. Psychiatric conditions related to forensic diagnosis included dementia, schizophrenia, alcohol-related substance use disorder, paraphilia, and one without a psychiatric diagnosis. The final forensic report on all five cases found that two of the older adults diagnosed with a mental disorder in two were considered to have a mental illness that completely impaired the cognitive and volitional domains; two other adults were diagnosed with mental health disturbance that partially impaired these domains; and the last adult was diagnosed and found without mental health impairment. While the incidence of sexual crimes committed by older adults is low, the absolute number of cases has expected to rise due to population aging. Assessing the factors related to this type of crime is therefore an initial step to understanding and formulating preventive strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela Sena Braga
- Forensic Psychiatry, Medical Examiner by Civil Police of Minas Gerais, Legal Medical Institute, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.,Department of Mental Health, Faculty of Medical Sciences of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.,Brazilian Ministry of Justice and Public Security, National Secretariat of Public Security, Brasília, Brazil
| | | | | | - Bernardo de Mattos Viana
- Department of Mental Health, School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.,INCT-NeuroTecR, Centro de Tecnologia em Medicina Molecular (CTMM), Belo Horizonte, Brazil.,Older Adult's Psychiatry and Psychology Extension Program - UFMG, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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Prent N, Jonker FA, Schouws SNTM, Jonker C. The risk of criminal behavior in the elderly and patients with neurodegenerative disease. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2023; 197:181-196. [PMID: 37633709 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-821375-9.00004-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
Behavioral changes are commonly observed in patients with dementia and can lead to criminal offenses, even without a history of criminal or antisocial behavior. Due to the growth of the aging population, this poses a rising problem to deal with for the criminal justice system and in general for society. Criminal behavior may include minor crimes such as theft or traffic violations, but also serious crimes such as physical abuse, sexual offense, or murder. In the assessment of criminal behavior among elderly (first-time) offenders, it is important to be aware of possible neurodegenerative diseases at the time of the crime. This book chapter provides an overview on criminal behavior in the elderly and specifically discusses existing literature on patients suffering from a neurodegenerative disease, including Alzheimer disease, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson disease, and Huntington disease. Each section is introduced by a true case to illustrate how the presence of a neurodegenerative disease may affect the criminal judgment. The chapter ends with a summary, multifactorial model of crime risk, future perspectives, and concluding remarks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi Prent
- Department of Clinical, Neuro-, and Developmental Psychology, Section Clinical Neuropsychology, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Neuropsychiatry, Altrecht Mental Health Institute, Woerden, The Netherlands.
| | - Frank A Jonker
- Department of Clinical, Neuro-, and Developmental Psychology, Section Clinical Neuropsychology, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Neuropsychiatry, Altrecht Mental Health Institute, Woerden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Cees Jonker
- Department Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Crookes RL, Tramontano C, Brown SJ, Walker K, Wright H. Older Individuals Convicted of Sexual Offenses: A Literature Review. SEXUAL ABUSE : A JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND TREATMENT 2022; 34:341-371. [PMID: 34176346 PMCID: PMC8905121 DOI: 10.1177/10790632211024244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The population of older individuals convicted of sexual offenses (OSOs) is rapidly increasing. However, we have little understanding of their characteristics (e.g., demographic, psychological, individual, offense, and risk) and needs. To identify any similarities or differences that are unique to older individuals convicted of sexual offending, it is important to compare such characteristics across the adult lifespan. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to specify and synthesize the current knowledge of characteristics across the adult lifespan of the population of individuals convicted of sexual offenses. Five databases were searched and 10,680 results were screened, resulting in 100 studies included in the final review. The findings were grouped into four emergent themes: age of onset and prevalence; offender and offense characteristics; age and the risk of reoffending; and treatment. Implications of the findings from this review are discussed in relation to future research and clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sarah J. Brown
- University of the Sunshine Coast (USC), Queensland, Australia
- University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol, UK
| | - Kate Walker
- Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Northampton, UK
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Herrero Ó. Agresores Sexuales que Cometen su Primer Delito cuando Son Mayores. ¿Un Problema del Ciclo Vital? Ó. ANUARIO DE PSICOLOGÍA JURÍDICA 2021. [DOI: 10.5093/apj2021a20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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Merkt H, Haesen S, Meyer L, Kressig RW, Elger BS, Wangmo T. Defining an age cut-off for older offenders: a systematic review of literature. Int J Prison Health 2021; 16:95-116. [PMID: 33634649 DOI: 10.1108/ijph-11-2019-0060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE In the literature, 65 years is commonly used as the age to designate an older person in the community. When studying older prisoners, there is much variation. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how researchers define older offenders and for what reasons. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH The authors reviewed articles on health and well-being of older offenders to assess terminology used to describe this age group, the chosen age cut-offs distinguishing younger offenders from older offenders, the arguments provided to support this choice as well as the empirical base cited in this context. FINDINGS The findings show that the age cut-off of 50 years and the term "older" were most frequently used by researchers in the field. The authors find eight main arguments given to underscore the use of specific age cut-offs delineating older offenders. They outline the reasoning provided for each argument and evaluate it for its use to define older offenders. ORIGINALITY/VALUE With this review, it is hoped to stimulate the much-needed discussion advancing towards a uniform definition of the older offender. Such a uniform definition would make future research more comparable and ensure that there is no ambiguity when researchers state that the study population is "older offenders".
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Affiliation(s)
- Helene Merkt
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sophie Haesen
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Leila Meyer
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Reto W Kressig
- University Centre for Medicine of Aging, Felix Platter Hospital, Basel, Switzerland and Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Bernice S Elger
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tenzin Wangmo
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Characteristics of Older Adult First-Time Sex Offenders: Insights From the Missouri Registry. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2021; 29:230-238. [PMID: 32680761 DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2020.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore the characteristics of older adult first-time sex offenders (who offended for the first time at the age of 65 years or above). DESIGN The authors retrieved and analyzed data from the publicly available Missouri sex offender registry database up to December 2018 and the Missouri public case management system website. PARTICIPANTS Registered older (≥65 years) sex offenders in the state of Missouri, United States. MEASUREMENTS Sociodemographic characteristics of the offender, offense type(s), offense, and conviction dates; age and sex of the victim(s); and case disposition information (whether the trial was waived or not and what were the sentences imposed). RESULTS One hundred and ninety-four older adult sex offenders all males were identified, of which 172 were first-time offenders. The majority were white; the median age of offense was 68.6 years old. One hundred and thirty-nine (80.8%) first-time offenders were convicted strictly of non-pornography offenses, with prepubescent girls the predominant victim pool. The most prevalent charge in this subgroup was Child Molestation, First Degree (36.5%). Twenty-eight (16.3%) offenders were convicted strictly of pornography offenses, the most prevalent one being Possession of Child Pornography (96.6%). The recidivism rate among first-time offenders was close to 1%. CONCLUSION A substantial proportion of older registered sex offenders are first-time sex offenders and most of them have underage victims. Although the offense and recidivism rates seem to be low, future longitudinal studies should focus on the predictors of sexual offending in the older population, in order to design targeted preventive measures, risk assessment, and treatment options.
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Solares C, Dobrosavljevic M, Larsson H, Cortese S, Andershed H. The mental and physical health of older offenders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 118:440-450. [PMID: 32783970 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.07.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
A systematic review with meta-analysis was performed to: 1) estimate the prevalence of both mental and physical health problems in older offenders; 2) calculate relative risks for the health conditions in relation to non-offender older adults and; 3) explore the potential confounding role of several variables. We searched five databases up to August 2019. Studies involving offenders older than 50 years old were included. Fifty-five publications met criteria. The pooled prevalence for 18 mental and 28 physical health problems was calculated. In comparison with non-offender older adults, older offenders showed significantly higher risk for Hypertension (RR = 1.16, CI = 1.1, 1.2), Cardiovascular Diseases (RR = 1.24, CI = 1.09, 1.41), Respiratory diseases (RR = 1.75, CI = 1.29, 2.35), and Arthritis (RR = 1.19, CI = 1.12, 1.25). Heterogeneity was significant for all meta-analyses and partially explained by the confounding effect of country, the diagnosis assessment method, and the sample characteristics. Future research should include comparison groups of non-offender older adults and use longitudinal study designs to identify risk factors that can be targeted in preventive programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Solares
- School of Law, Psychology and Social Work, Örebro University, Fakultetsgatan 1, SE-701 82, Örebro, Sweden.
| | - Maja Dobrosavljevic
- School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Södra Grev Rosengatan 30, SE-703 62, Örebro, Sweden.
| | - Henrik Larsson
- School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Södra Grev Rosengatan 30, SE-703 62, Örebro, Sweden; Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden.
| | - Samuele Cortese
- Centre for Innovation in Mental Health, School of Psychology, Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK; Clinical and Experimental Sciences (CNS and Psychiatry), Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK; Division of Psychiatry and Applied Psychology, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK; National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, NG7 2UH, UK; New York University Child Study Center, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
| | - Henrik Andershed
- School of Law, Psychology and Social Work, Örebro University, Fakultetsgatan 1, SE-701 82, Örebro, Sweden.
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