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Criminal Justice and Corrections Analysis

Works Count: 86299

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This cluster of papers explores the multifaceted impact of mass incarceration on society and individuals, addressing topics such as racial disparities in sentencing, challenges faced during reentry, public health implications, and the perpetuation of social inequality. It delves into the complex dynamics of the criminal justice system and its effects on recidivism, judicial bias, and the well-being of both inmates and their communities.

Keywords

Mass Incarceration; Criminal Justice; Prison System; Incarceration Effects; Racial Disparities; Reentry Challenges; Public Health Impact; Social Inequality; Recidivism Factors; Judicial Bias

When prisoners come home: parole and prisoner reentry

2003-12-01

Joan Petersilia

Preface 1. Introduction and Overview 2. Who's Coming Home? A Profile of Returning Prisoners 3. The Origins and Evolution of Modern Parole 4. The Changing Nature of Parole Supervision and … Preface 1. Introduction and Overview 2. Who's Coming Home? A Profile of Returning Prisoners 3. The Origins and Evolution of Modern Parole 4. The Changing Nature of Parole Supervision and Services 5. How We Help: Preparing Inmates for Release 6. How We Hinder: Legal and Practical Barriers to Reintegration 7. Revolving Door Justice: Inmate Release and Recidivism 8. The Victim's Role in Prisoner Reentry 9. What to Do? Reforming Parole and Reentry Practices 10. Conclusions: When Punitive Policies Backfire Afterword

Prevalence of Psychiatric Disorders Among Incarcerated Women

1996-06-01

Linda A. Teplin , Karen M. Abram , Gary M. McClelland

<h3>Background:</h3> There are little epidemiologic data on psychiatric disorders of women in jails. Accurate data on female jail detainees are critical because of their increasing numbers and their unique treatment … <h3>Background:</h3> There are little epidemiologic data on psychiatric disorders of women in jails. Accurate data on female jail detainees are critical because of their increasing numbers and their unique treatment needs. <h3>Methods:</h3> Using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule, independent interviewers assessed a randomly selected, stratified sample of 1272 female jail detainees awaiting trial in Chicago, Ill. We tabulated lifetime and 6-month prevalence rates of disorders by race or ethnicity (African American, non-Hispanic white, Hispanic), age, and education and compared the jail rates with general population rates for women in the Epidemiologic Catchment Area program. We also examined whether or not psychiatric disorder was associated with the severity of the detainee's current arrest charges. <h3>Results:</h3> Over 80% of the sample met criteria for one or more lifetime psychiatric disorders; 70% were symptomatic within 6 months of the interview. The most common disorders were drug abuse or dependence, alcohol abuse or dependence, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Major depressive episode was the most prevalent major mental disorder. Rates were generally highest among non-Hispanic whites and among older detainees. Rates for all disorders were significantly higher than general population rates, except for schizophrenia. Most detainees with psychiatric disorders were arrested for nonviolent crimes. <h3>Conclusion:</h3> These results suggest substantial psychiatric morbidity among female jail detainees.

THE INTERACTION OF RACE, GENDER, AND AGE IN CRIMINAL SENTENCING: THE PUNISHMENT COST OF BEING YOUNG, BLACK, AND MALE

1998-11-01

Darrell Steffensmeier , Jeffery T. Ulmer , John H. Kramer

Prior theory and research on sentencing oversimplify the role of race, gender and age in judicial decision making. In this article we present a “focal concerns” theory of judicial decision … Prior theory and research on sentencing oversimplify the role of race, gender and age in judicial decision making. In this article we present a “focal concerns” theory of judicial decision making to frame hypotheses regarding the effects on sentencing of these social statuses, both singly and in combination. Analyzing statewide sentencing outcomes in Pennsylvania for 1989–1992, we find that, net of controls: (1) young black males are sentenced more harshly than any other group, (2) race is most influential in the sentencing of younger rather than older males, (3) the influence of offender's age on sentencing is greater among males than females, and (4) the main effects of race, gender, and age are more modest compared to the very large differences in sentencing outcomes across certain age‐race‐gender combinations. These findings demonstrate the importance of considering the joint effects of race, gender, and age on sentencing, and of using interactive rather than additive models.

Punishment and Welfare: A History of Penal Strategies

1986-10-01

Victor Bailey , David E. Garland

The good lives model and conceptual issues in offender rehabilitation

2004-06-07

Tony Ward , Mark Brown

There has been a profound shift in attitudes toward offender rehabilitation in the last two decades from a conviction that nothing works to the confident announcement that certain kinds of … There has been a profound shift in attitudes toward offender rehabilitation in the last two decades from a conviction that nothing works to the confident announcement that certain kinds of treatment strategies reliably reduce reoffending rates. The treatment approach currently dominant in the corrections area is the risk–need model where dynamic risk factors associated with recidivism are systematically targeted in treatment and the intensity (i.e. dose) of treatment delivered is related to each offender's assessed level of risk. It is our view that despite the undoubted virtues of the risk–need model there are a number of important conceptual issues that are not adequately addressed by this approach. In this paper we consider four such issues: the importance of adopting a positive approach to treatment; the relationship between risk management and good lives; causal preconditions of therapy; and the impact of therapists’ attitudes toward offenders. We propose that the Good Lives Model (GLM) of offender rehabilitation has the conceptual resources to resolve the above issues in a constructive and fruitful manner. We outline each issue in turn and discuss the capacity of the GLM to deal with these problems in a way that is clinically useful and theoretically coherent.

The Society of Captives, a Study of a Maximum Security Prison

1959-01-01

Johnson Levering , Gresham M. Sykes

Gresham Sykes wrote the book at the height of the Cold War, motivated by the world's experience of fascism and communism to study the closest thing to a totalitarian system … Gresham Sykes wrote the book at the height of the Cold War, motivated by the world's experience of fascism and communism to study the closest thing to a totalitarian system in American life: a maximum security prison. The book is remarkably short - just 150 pages - but bristles with ideas. Sykes argued that many of the psychological effects of modern prison are even more brutal than the physical cruelties of the past. The trauma of being designated one of the very worst human beings in the world left prisoners with lifelong scars. It also inspired solidarity among prisoners and fierce resistance to authorities as strategies for rejecting those who rejected them. His analysis called into question whether prisons genuinely were, as many believed, total institutions, where every facet of life was rigidly controlled. Sykes showed that the stronger the bonds among prisoners, the more difficult it was for prison guards to run the prisons without finding ways of accommodating the prisoners. The book set the stage for Michel Foucault's Discipline and Punish, among other works. Since it appeared in 1958, it has served society as an indispensable text in coming to terms with the nature of modern power.

Government and Control

2000-03-01

Nikolas Rose

Journal Article Government and Control Get access Nikolas Rose Nikolas Rose Department of Sociology, Goldsmiths College, University of London. Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google … Journal Article Government and Control Get access Nikolas Rose Nikolas Rose Department of Sociology, Goldsmiths College, University of London. Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar The British Journal of Criminology, Volume 40, Issue 2, March 2000, Pages 321–339, https://doi.org/10.1093/bjc/40.2.321 Published: 01 March 2000

Recidivism of Prisoners Released in 1994

2002-10-01

Patrick A. Langan , David J. Levin

Research Article| October 01 2002 Recidivism of Prisoners Released in 1994 Patrick A. Langan, PhD, Patrick A. Langan, PhD Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed … Research Article| October 01 2002 Recidivism of Prisoners Released in 1994 Patrick A. Langan, PhD, Patrick A. Langan, PhD Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar David J. Levin, PhD David J. Levin, PhD Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Federal Sentencing Reporter (2002) 15 (1): 58–65. https://doi.org/10.1525/fsr.2002.15.1.58 Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Peer Review Share Icon Share Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Cite Icon Cite Search Site Citation Patrick A. Langan, David J. Levin; Recidivism of Prisoners Released in 1994. Federal Sentencing Reporter 1 October 2002; 15 (1): 58–65. doi: https://doi.org/10.1525/fsr.2002.15.1.58 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu nav search search input Search input auto suggest search filter All ContentFederal Sentencing Reporter Search This content is only available via PDF. ©© Regents of the University of California Article PDF first page preview Close Modal You do not currently have access to this content.

Deterrence and Incapacitation: Estimating the Effects of Criminal Sanctions on Crime Rates.

1980-05-01

Charles H. Logan , Alfred Blumstein , Jacquelin Cohen +1 more

Feminism and criminology

1988-12-01

Kathleen Daly , Meda Chesney‐Lind

In this essay we sketch core elements of feminist thought and demonstrate their relevance for criminology. After reviewing the early feminist critiques of the discipline and the empirical emphases of … In this essay we sketch core elements of feminist thought and demonstrate their relevance for criminology. After reviewing the early feminist critiques of the discipline and the empirical emphases of the 1970s and early 1980s, we appraise current issues and debates in three areas: building theories of gender and crime, controlling men's violence toward women, and gender equality in the criminal justice system. We invite our colleagues to reflect on the androcentrism of the discipline and to appreciate the promise of feminist inquiry for rethinking problems of crime and justice.

Malign Neglect: Race, Crime and Punishment in America.

1996-01-01

Julia G. Hall , Michael Tonry

Despite the perennial claims of politicians that our courts are coddling hardened criminals, the fact is that America already sends a higher proportion of its citizens to prison-and for longer … Despite the perennial claims of politicians that our courts are coddling hardened criminals, the fact is that America already sends a higher proportion of its citizens to prison-and for longer terms-than any other western nation. To quote the Canadian House of Commons's Committee on Justice, If locking up those who violate the law contributed to safer societies, then the United States should be the safest country in the world. Yet despite well-documented and mounting evidence that increased penalties alone cannot reduce crime, the Reagan and Bush administrations repeatedly lobbied for tougher mandatory sentences and more prisons. Although black crime rates have been stable for twenty years, the number and percentages of blacks in jail and prison have skyrocketed since Ronald Reagan took office. The trend continues with President Clinton, who recently called for three strikes you're out legislation dictating mandatory life sentences for third felony convictions. In Malign Neglect, Michael Tonry addresses these paradoxes with passion and lucidity. Drawing on a vast compendium of the latest statistical, legal and social science research, he takes on the explosive issues of race, crime and punishment. As unconventional as he is committed, Tonry confronts uncomfortable truths head-on. On the one hand, he is outraged by politicians' talk of Willy Horton and Welfare Queens. The texts may be crime and welfare, Tonry writes, but the subtext is race. While he recognizes that the disadvantaged have no license to attack, rape or steal, and that the absolution of disadvantaged offenders would require a cynical acceptance of the suffering of victims, he argues powerfully that crime control policies can be recast so that, without diminishing public safety, they do less harm to disadvantaged black Americans. Tonry presents devastating evidence that our current policies are decimating black communities, and impeding the movement of disadvantaged black Americans into the social and economic mainstream of modern America. A blistering attack on worn-out misconceptions about race, poverty, crime and punishment and a fearless prescription for change, Malign Neglect is an indispensable briefing paper on a topic which goes to the heart and soul of the nation.

An Integration of Theories to Explain Judicial Discretion

1991-05-01

Celesta A. Albonetti

Based on an integration of work on uncertainty avoidance in decision making with research on causal attribution in punishment, the author hypothesizes that judges attempt to manage uncertainty by developing … Based on an integration of work on uncertainty avoidance in decision making with research on causal attribution in punishment, the author hypothesizes that judges attempt to manage uncertainty by developing “patterned responses” that are the product of an attribution process involving assessments of the offender's likelihood of committing future crime. Washington, D. C, felony sentencing data generated by the Prosecutor's Management and Information System (PROMIS) were used to test this integrated theoretical model. Support for the theoretical integration is provided by the evidence of the effects of prior record, defendant's race, use of a weapon, pretrial release, and the interaction between defendant's race and bail outcome on sentence severity. Contrary to common suppositions, information on defendant-victim relationship and victim provocation was unrelated to sentence severity. Further research should examine judges' attempt to reduce uncertainty by relying on stereotypes and attributions linked to the likelihood of recidivism.

The health of prisoners

2010-11-20

Seena Fazel , Jacques Baillargeon

Release from Prison — A High Risk of Death for Former Inmates

2007-01-10

Ingrid A. Binswanger , Marc F. Stern , Richard A. Deyo +4 more

The U.S. population of former prison inmates is large and growing. The period immediately after release may be challenging for former inmates and may involve substantial health risks. We studied … The U.S. population of former prison inmates is large and growing. The period immediately after release may be challenging for former inmates and may involve substantial health risks. We studied the risk of death among former inmates soon after their release from Washington State prisons.We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all inmates released from the Washington State Department of Corrections from July 1999 through December 2003. Prison records were linked to the National Death Index. Data for comparison with Washington State residents were obtained from the Wide-ranging OnLine Data for Epidemiologic Research system of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mortality rates among former inmates were compared with those among other state residents with the use of indirect standardization and adjustment for age, sex, and race.Of 30,237 released inmates, 443 died during a mean follow-up period of 1.9 years. The overall mortality rate was 777 deaths per 100,000 person-years. The adjusted risk of death among former inmates was 3.5 times that among other state residents (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.2 to 3.8). During the first 2 weeks after release, the risk of death among former inmates was 12.7 (95% CI, 9.2 to 17.4) times that among other state residents, with a markedly elevated relative risk of death from drug overdose (129; 95% CI, 89 to 186). The leading causes of death among former inmates were drug overdose, cardiovascular disease, homicide, and suicide.Former prison inmates were at high risk for death after release from prison, particularly during the first 2 weeks. Interventions are necessary to reduce the risk of death after release from prison.

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THE NEW PENOLOGY: NOTES ON THE EMERGING STRATEGY OF CORRECTIONS AND ITS IMPLICATIONS*

1992-11-01

Malcolm M Feeley , Jonathan Simon

The new penology argues that an important new language of penology is emerging. This new language, which has its counterparts in other areas of the law as well, shifts focus … The new penology argues that an important new language of penology is emerging. This new language, which has its counterparts in other areas of the law as well, shifts focus away from the traditional concerns of the criminal law and criminology, which have focused on the individual, and redirects it to actuarial consideration of aggregates. This shift has a number of important implications: It facilitates development of a vision or model of a new type of criminal process that embraces increased reliance on imprisonment and that merges concerns for surveillance and custody, that shifts away from a concern with punishing individuals to managing aggregates of dangerous groups, and that affects the training and practice of criminologists.

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The Effectiveness of Restorative Justice Practices: A Meta-Analysis

2005-05-23

Jeff Latimer , Craig Dowden , Danielle Muise

This article provides an empirical synthesis of the existing literature on the effectiveness of restorative justice practices using meta-analytic techniques. The data were aggregated from studies that compared restorative justice … This article provides an empirical synthesis of the existing literature on the effectiveness of restorative justice practices using meta-analytic techniques. The data were aggregated from studies that compared restorative justice programs to traditional nonrestorative approaches to criminal behavior. Victim and offender satisfaction, restitution compliance, and recidivism were selected as appropriate outcomes to adequately measure effectiveness. Although restorative programs were found to be significantly more effective, these positive findings are tempered by an important self-selection bias inherent in restorative justice research. A possible method of addressing this problem, as well as directions for future research, are provided.

Mass Imprisonment and the Life Course: Race and Class Inequality in U.S. Incarceration

2004-04-01

Becky Pettit , Bruce Western

Although growth in the U.S. prison population over the past twenty-five years has been widely discussed, few studies examine changes in inequality in imprisonment. We study penal inequality by estimating … Although growth in the U.S. prison population over the past twenty-five years has been widely discussed, few studies examine changes in inequality in imprisonment. We study penal inequality by estimating lifetime risks of imprisonment for black and white men at different levels of education. Combining administrative, survey, and census data, we estimate that among men born between 1965 and 1969, 3 percent of whites and 20 percent of blacks had served time in prison by their early thirties. The risks of incarceration are highly stratified by education. Among black men born during this period, 30 percent of those without college education and nearly 60 percent of high school dropouts went to prison by 1999. The novel pervasiveness of imprisonment indicates the emergence of incarceration as a new stage in the life course of young low-skill black men.

Prevalence of chronic medical conditions among jail and prison inmates in the USA compared with the general population

2009-07-30

Ingrid A. Binswanger , Patrick M. Krueger , John F. Steiner

Despite growing inmate populations in the USA, inmates are excluded from most national health surveys and little is known about whether the prevalence of chronic disease differs between inmates and … Despite growing inmate populations in the USA, inmates are excluded from most national health surveys and little is known about whether the prevalence of chronic disease differs between inmates and the non-institutionalised population.Nationally representative, cross-sectional data from the 2002 Survey of Inmates in Local Jails, 2004 Survey of Inmates in State and Federal Correctional Facilities and 2002-4 National Health Interview Survey Sample Adult Files on individuals aged 18-65 were used. Binary and multinomial logistic regression were used to compare the prevalence of self-reported chronic medical conditions among jail (n = 6582) and prison (n = 14,373) inmates and non-institutionalised (n = 76 597) adults after adjusting for age, sex, race, education, employment, the USA as birthplace, marital status and alcohol consumption. Prevalence and adjusted ORs with 95% CIs were calculated for nine important chronic conditions.Compared with the general population, jail and prison inmates had higher odds of hypertension (OR(jail) 1.19; 95% CI 1.08 to 1.31; OR(prison) 1.17; 95% CI 1.09 to 1.27), asthma (OR(jail) 1.41; 95% CI 1.28 to 1.56; OR(prison) 1.34; 95% CI 1.22 to 1.46), arthritis (OR(jail) 1.65; 95% CI 1.47 to 1.84; OR(prison) 1.66; 95% CI 1.54 to 1.80), cervical cancer (OR(jail) 4.16; 95% CI 3.13 to 5.53; OR(prison) 4.82; 95% CI 3.74 to 6.22), and hepatitis (OR(jail) 2.57; 95% CI 2.20 to 3.00; OR(prison) 4.23; 95% CI 3.71 to 4.82), but no increased odds of diabetes, angina or myocardial infarction, and lower odds of obesity.Jail and prison inmates had a higher burden of most chronic medical conditions than the general population even with adjustment for important sociodemographic differences and alcohol consumption.

Gender and Crime: Toward a Gendered Theory of Female Offending

1996-08-01

Darrell Steffensmeier , Emilie Andersen Allan

Criminologists agree that the gender gap in crime is universal: Women are always and everywhere less likely than men to commit criminal acts. The experts disagree, however, on a number … Criminologists agree that the gender gap in crime is universal: Women are always and everywhere less likely than men to commit criminal acts. The experts disagree, however, on a number of key issues: Is the gender gap stable or variant over time and across space? If there is variance, how may it best be explained? Are the causes of female crime distinct from or similar to those of male crime? Can traditional sociological theories of crime explain female crime and the gender gap in crime? Do gender-neutral or gender-specific theories hold the most explanatory promise? In this chapter we first examine patterns of female offending and the gender gap. Second, we review the “gender equality hypothesis” as well as several recent developments in theorizing about gender differences in crime. Third, we expand on a gendered paradigm for explaining female crime first sketched elsewhere. We conclude with recommendations for future work.

The Effectiveness of Correctional Rehabilitation: A Review of Systematic Reviews

2007-07-06

Mark W. Lipsey , Francis T. Cullen

The effects of correctional interventions on recidivism have important public safety implications when offenders are released from probation or prison. Hundreds of studies have been conducted on those effects, some … The effects of correctional interventions on recidivism have important public safety implications when offenders are released from probation or prison. Hundreds of studies have been conducted on those effects, some investigating punitive approaches and some investigating rehabilitation treatments. Systematic reviews (meta-analyses) of those studies, while varying greatly in coverage and technique, display remarkable consistency in their overall findings. Supervision and sanctions, at best, show modest mean reductions in recidivism and, in some instances, have the opposite effect and increase reoffense rates. The mean recidivism effects found in studies of rehabilitation treatment, by comparison, are consistently positive and relatively large. There is, however, considerable variability in those effects associated with the type of treatment, how well it is implemented, and the nature of the offenders to whom it is applied. The specific sources of that variability have not been well explored, but some principles for effective treatment have emerged. The rehabilitation treatments generally found effective in research do not characterize current correctional practice, and bridging the gap between research and practice remains a significant challenge.

Transitions from Prison to Community: Understanding Individual Pathways

2003-08-01

Christy A. Visher , Jeremy Travis

▪ Abstract In 2002, over 600,000 individuals left state and federal prisons, four times as many as were released in 1975. However, according to a national study, within 3 years, … ▪ Abstract In 2002, over 600,000 individuals left state and federal prisons, four times as many as were released in 1975. However, according to a national study, within 3 years, almost 7 in 10 will have been rearrested and half will be back in prison, either for a new crime or for violating conditions of their release. Clearly, an individual's transition from prison back into a home and into a community is difficult, and avoiding crime can be the least of his or her problems. Understanding these pathways and the reasons for and the dimensions of an individual's success or failure is the focus of recent scholarly attention to the problem of “prisoner reentry,” the process of leaving prison and returning to free society. However, most of the existing research on prisoners' lives after release focuses solely on recidivism and ignores the reality that recidivism is directly affected by postprison reintegration and adjustment, which, in turn, depends on four sets of factors: personal and situational characteristics, including the individual's social environment of peers, family, community, and state-level policies. Moreover, individual transitions from prison to community are, we suggest, best understood in a longitudinal framework, taking into account an individual's circumstances before incarceration, experiences during incarceration, and the period after release—both the immediate experience and long-term situational circumstances. This review summarizes what we know about the four specified dimensions and how they affect an individual's transition from prison to community. The review concludes with a call to the research community for interdisciplinary, multilevel, longitudinal studies of the processes of reintegration for former prisoners. Such research may illuminate many dimensions of social life, including the effects of recent social policies.

Looking Deathworthy

2006-04-25

Jennifer L. Eberhardt , Paul G. Davies , Valerie Purdie‐Vaughns +1 more

Researchers previously have investigated the role of race in capital sentencing, and in particular, whether the race of the defendant or victim influences the likelihood of a death sentence. In … Researchers previously have investigated the role of race in capital sentencing, and in particular, whether the race of the defendant or victim influences the likelihood of a death sentence. In the present study, we examined whether the likelihood of being sentenced to death is influenced by the degree to which a Black defendant is perceived to have a stereotypically Black appearance. Controlling for a wide array of factors, we found that in cases involving a White victim, the more stereotypically Black a defendant is perceived to be, the more likely that person is to be sentenced to death.

CONFLICTS AS PROPERTY*

1977-01-01

Nils Christie

Journal Article CONFLICTS AS PROPERTY Get access NILS CHRISTIE NILS CHRISTIE *Professor of Criminology, University of Oslo Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar The … Journal Article CONFLICTS AS PROPERTY Get access NILS CHRISTIE NILS CHRISTIE *Professor of Criminology, University of Oslo Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar The British Journal of Criminology, Volume 17, Issue 1, January 1977, Pages 1–15, https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.bjc.a046783 Published: 01 January 1977

The Ideal Victim

1986-01-01

Nils Christie

Visions of Social Control: Crime, Punishment and Classification

1986-09-01

Paul Rock , Stanley Cohen

Mental Health Problems of Prison and Jail Inmates

2006-01-01

Doris J. James , Lauren E. Glaze

At midyear 2005 more than half of all prison and jail inmates had a mental health problem, including 705,600 inmates in State prisons, 70,200 in Federal prisons, and 479,900 in … At midyear 2005 more than half of all prison and jail inmates had a mental health problem, including 705,600 inmates in State prisons, 70,200 in Federal prisons, and 479,900 in local jails. These estimates represented 56% of State prisoners, 45% of Federal prisoners, and 64% of jail inmates. The findings in this report were based on data from personal interviews with State and Federal prisoners in 2004 and local jail inmates in 2002.

Mass incarceration, public health, and widening inequality in the USA

2017-04-01

Christopher Wildeman , Emily A. Wang

Selections from the prison notebooks

2020-09-04

Antonio Gramsci

Why do we punish? Deterrence and just deserts as motives for punishment.

2002-08-01

Kevin M. Carlsmith , John M. Darley , Paul H. Robinson

One popular justification for punishment is the just deserts rationale: A person deserves punishment proportionate to the moral wrong committed. A competing justification is the deterrence rationale: Punishing an offender … One popular justification for punishment is the just deserts rationale: A person deserves punishment proportionate to the moral wrong committed. A competing justification is the deterrence rationale: Punishing an offender reduces the frequency and likelihood of future offenses. The authors examined the motivation underlying laypeople's use of punishment for prototypical wrongs. Study 1 (N = 336) revealed high sensitivity to factors uniquely associated with the just deserts perspective (e.g., offense seriousness, moral trespass) and insensitivity to factors associated with deterrence (e.g., likelihood of detection, offense frequency). Study 2 (N = 329) confirmed the proposed model through structural equation modeling (SEM). Study 3 (N = 351) revealed that despite strongly stated preferences for deterrence theory, individual sentencing decisions seemed driven exclusively by just deserts concerns.

But they all come back: facing the challenges of prisoner reentry

2005-10-01

Jeremy Travis

As our justice system has embarked upon one of our time's greatest social experiments?responding to crime by expanding prisons?we have forgotten the iron law of imprisonment: they all come back. … As our justice system has embarked upon one of our time's greatest social experiments?responding to crime by expanding prisons?we have forgotten the iron law of imprisonment: they all come back. In 2002, more than 630,000 individuals left federal and state prisons. Thirty years ago, only 150,000 did. In the intense political debate over America's punishment policies, the impact of these returning prisoners on families and communities has been largely overlooked. In But They All Come Back, Jeremy Travis continues his pioneering work on the new realities of punishment in America vis-a-vis public safety, families and children, work, housing, public health, civic identity, and community capacity. Travis proposes organizing the criminal justice system around five principles of reentry to encourage change and spur innovation.

Juvenile Offenders and Victims: 1999 National Report

1999-01-01

Crime in the Making: Pathways and Turning Points through Life

1994-01-01

Robert A. Silverman , Robert J. Sampson , John H. Laub

The Growth of incarceration in the United States: exploring causes and consequences

2014-12-18

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Crime, Punishment, and Deterrence

1976-06-01

Carol Trilling , Jack P. Gibbs

Misogyny, Misconceptions, and Restorative Justice

2025-06-24

Lisa Mary Armstrong | Routledge eBooks

Understanding the psychological impact of the IPP sentence for adult men in a UK category B prison

2025-06-24

Kayleigh Roberts , Daniel Lawrence | Journal of Forensic Practice

Purpose People serving imprisonment for public protection (IPP) sentences experience psychological harm as a by-product of the sentence; however, to date, there has been no in-depth exploration into the mechanisms … Purpose People serving imprisonment for public protection (IPP) sentences experience psychological harm as a by-product of the sentence; however, to date, there has been no in-depth exploration into the mechanisms of the harm experienced. This study aims to explore the psychological impact of the IPP sentence and the mechanisms which underpin these experiences. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected within a single adult male category B prison in England. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with three men serving an IPP sentence. Data was analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Findings Two group experiential themes were developed. Firstly, “The role of Power within the Sentence”, which accounts for participants experience of the IPP sentence as unfair, pervasive and with a sense of powerlessness. Secondly, “The IPP Mindset”, which indicates a manner of thinking, something which participants felt set them apart from others and was a result of becoming accustomed to the sentence and prison environment. These group experiential themes are discussed in more depth through the use of participants’ personal experiential statements. Research limitations/implications Limitations of the study include the small sample size and specific context of the research site. Findings should thus be interpreted with a degree of caution and are duly recognised as preliminary. The findings of this study are not intended to be generalisable and instead offer a deeper insight into the psychological impact of the IPP sentence and the mechanisms through which it causes psychological harm for those who received it. Further research is needed on a larger scale across different forensic settings to explore the ongoing psychological impact of those serving IPP sentences. Practical implications Support the individual serving the sentence as well as professionals to understand and acknowledge the role of power in the lives of the individuals. The use of the Power Threat Meaning Framework to inform formulations, treatment and safety plans could help with this. To adopt a wider and more explicit use of Procedural Justice principles to underpin legal and review process such as progression reviews, Parole Board reviews and adjudications. This could help individuals serving IPP sentences to develop a more just and fair perspective of the system. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there are currently no qualitative studies that have sought to learn about the psychological impact of the IPP sentence from those who are currently serving it in prisons.

Discrepancies in Measures of Racial and Ethnic Disparities: Implications for Research, Policy, and Practice

2025-06-23

William J. Sabol , Thaddeus L. Johnson , James P. Lynch | American Journal of Criminal Justice

Abstract Estimation of racial/ethnic disparity in imprisonment rates in the United States is complicated by differences in data collection, definitions, and methods of counting such persons across data sources. This … Abstract Estimation of racial/ethnic disparity in imprisonment rates in the United States is complicated by differences in data collection, definitions, and methods of counting such persons across data sources. This paper describes these sources of differences and their impacts on assessments of imprisonment disparity. Estimates of imprisonment rate disparities derived from state corrections administrative data diverge from those derived from self-report survey data. Changes in how survey data measure race and ethnicity affect inferences about changes in disparity. Administrative data show less Hispanic-White and Black-White disparity than self-report data, and the differences between them are increasing. Measures of disparity based on single-race classifications show larger Black-White disparity than those that are based on multiracial classifications. Various approaches to measuring race and ethnicity can affect conclusions about fairness in imprisonment. Therefore, disparities analysts should consider the multiple data sources and methods available to measure state imprisonment disparities, understand the assumptions behind the measures, and arbitrate the differences and similarities before drawing inferences about the extent of disparity in U.S. penal systems.

An examination of former prisoners’ mental health problems before death by suicide over a 21-year period (2001–2021)

2025-06-23

Alison Baird , Lana Bojanić , Said A. Ibrahim +6 more | BJPsych Open

Background Former prisoners are a vulnerable population, and suicide rates among this group are high, particularly following release from prison. Aims To explore former prisoners’ engagement with mental health services … Background Former prisoners are a vulnerable population, and suicide rates among this group are high, particularly following release from prison. Aims To explore former prisoners’ engagement with mental health services before death by suicide, and to examine the demographics, clinical history and clinical care of this patient group and compare them with patients who died by suicide who had not been to prison. Method The clinical, sociodemographic and care characteristics of patients in contact with mental health services who died by suicide in the UK were examined in a national clinical survey between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2021, and comparisons were made between former prisoners and patients with no history of being in prison. Results Of the 33 381 (median age 46 years, range 10–100; 65.6% male) patients who died by suicide in the UK and had been in contact with mental health services in the 12 months before death, 3335 (11%) were ex-prisoners (male n = 2988, 90%; female n = 347, 10%). Compared with other patients, ex-prisoner patients had higher frequencies of personality disorder, schizophrenia and delusional disorders, as well as childhood abuse. Ex-prisoner patients were more likely to be male, to be aged between 45 and 65 years (median age 39, range 17–89), to live in deprived areas and to have a history of substance misuse. We found no differences in ethnicity. Conclusions Mental health services need to focus particularly on patients with a history of being in prison who are experiencing economic adversity and offer substance-use-related interventions to ensure continued patient engagement. The link with deprivation is striking at a time at which rising costs of living are resulting in more health inequalities.

Criminal Policy and Legal Accountability for Criminal Acts of Forgery of Primary and Secondary Education Certificates

2025-06-23

Tulus Mampetua Lumban Gaol , Handar Subhandi Bakhtiar , A. Ahsin Thohari | International Journal of Social Science and Human Research

Diploma fraud has become a serious problem with widespread repercussions, affecting not only those directly involved but also society as a whole. The consequences of such actions are highly detrimental, … Diploma fraud has become a serious problem with widespread repercussions, affecting not only those directly involved but also society as a whole. The consequences of such actions are highly detrimental, including undermining the integrity of the education system, damaging the reputation of educational institutions, and creating inequality in the workplace and in education. This phenomenon is not limited to individual perpetrators but also involves educational institutions or organizations that knowingly issue or facilitate the issuance of fake documents without valid legal grounds. This study aims to analyze criminal policies and legal accountability for perpetrators of diploma forgery at the primary and secondary education levels, both by individuals and educational organizations/institutions, as well as to examine the disparity between ideal legal norms (das Sollen) and their implementation in practice (das Sein). The legal research method used is normative legal research by conducting research on library materials and using a statutory approach. The results of this study conclude that the laws and regulations governing criminal acts of document forgery, particularly diplomas, are available and adequate. however, there is a significant disparity between legal norms and law enforcement practices in cases of diploma forgery, where law enforcement agencies tend to target individual perpetrators and exempt educational institutions/organizations from criminal liability as stipulated in the legislation, particularly at the primary and secondary education levels.

LA RESOCIALIZACIÓN INVERTIDA: EFECTOS DE LA PRISIONIZACIÓN EN LA SUBJETIVIDAD DE LOS POLICÍAS PENALES DEL SISTEMA CARCELARIO PAULISTA

2025-06-23

J. B. Gonçalves | Revista Acadêmica Online

Este artículo investiga, mediante una revisión bibliográfica sistemática, el fenómeno de la “prisionalización inversa” en el sistema penitenciario paulista, analizando cómo los efectos de la institucionalización carcelaria trascienden los límites … Este artículo investiga, mediante una revisión bibliográfica sistemática, el fenómeno de la “prisionalización inversa” en el sistema penitenciario paulista, analizando cómo los efectos de la institucionalización carcelaria trascienden los límites de la población reclusa e inciden directamente en la subjetividad de los agentes penitenciarios. Basado en un análisis crítico de literatura especializada en criminología, sociología, psicología social y antropología, el estudio demuestra que el proceso de prisionalización no se limita únicamente a las personas privadas de libertad, sino que también permea la identidad profesional y personal de quienes operan el sistema. La revisión teórica revela que la exposición prolongada al entorno carcelario provoca transformaciones significativas en el lenguaje, los valores, las prácticas cotidianas y las relaciones interpersonales de los agentes, configurando una paradoja estructural en la que los responsables de la resocialización experimentan un proceso de deshumanización progresiva. Los hallazgos bibliográficos señalan la necesidad urgente de políticas institucionales que contemplen el cuidado integral de los trabajadores penitenciarios, reconociéndolos como sujetos vulnerables a los efectos nocivos de la lógica carcelaria. Además, se evidencia la escasez de estudios empíricos sobre la salud mental de estos profesionales, lo que dificulta la formulación de estrategias preventivas eficaces. Se concluye que el fenómeno de la prisionalización inversa requiere una mirada interdisciplinaria comprometida con la humanización de las relaciones carcelarias y con el desarrollo de prácticas institucionales que no solo eviten el sufrimiento psíquico de los agentes, sino que también promuevan un ambiente de trabajo más ético, seguro y respetuoso de la dignidad humana.

Metropolitan Police Service Efforts to Identify Potential Harm to Human Rights Associated with Live Facial Recognition Deployments

2025-06-23

Pete Fussey , Daragh Murray | Oxford University Press eBooks

Abstract Chapter 6 applies the due diligence framework developed Chapter 4 to analyse police policy documentation. It examines how the Metropolitan Police Service conceptualize harm and incorporate a legal analysis … Abstract Chapter 6 applies the due diligence framework developed Chapter 4 to analyse police policy documentation. It examines how the Metropolitan Police Service conceptualize harm and incorporate a legal analysis of harm into the policy framework. Concerns are raised regarding the legal approach adopted, particularly vis-à-vis an inappropriate emphasis on the ‘reasonable expectation of privacy’ at the expense of privacy concerns related to the recording of information in public; the failure to examine context-dependent privacy intrusions and the downplaying of chilling effects; and the de-emphasis of privacy considerations vis-à-vis those on the watchlist but not subject to any court order.

Making it count? Introduction to the special issue on professional registration in probation

2025-06-23

Jake Phillips , Matt Tidmarsh | Probation Journal

Against the Latin American Current? Conditions and Mechanisms of Decarceration in Chile

2025-06-22

Javier Wilenmann , Pilar Larroulet , Isabel Arriagada +1 more | International Criminology

Abstract Latin American countries have experienced a significant rise in incarceration rates over the past three decades (1995–2025). In this regional context, Chile presents an exception. After a significant increase … Abstract Latin American countries have experienced a significant rise in incarceration rates over the past three decades (1995–2025). In this regional context, Chile presents an exception. After a significant increase in the 2000s, its incarceration rate was reduced by 33% between 2010 and 2020. This paper investigates the conditions that facilitated this decarceration process. Using individual-level administrative data on prison entries and exits, along with aggregate administrative data from different criminal justice agencies, we identify four likely components of the decarceration process: variations in crime detection and arrest rates; the expansion of non-custodial sanctions; an increase in the use of parole, and a gradual reduction in the average duration of prison stays. We engage with theoretical discussions on penal change, emphasizing the role of proximate causes—specific legal and political processes—over broader background causes such as the rise of neoliberalism or late modernity. However, we also highlight the volatility of penal trends in Chile. By 2021, rising concerns over crime, high-profile criminal cases, and political shifts led to a reversal of the decarceration trend. The Chilean case underscores the contingent and reversible nature of penal change, offering insights into broader discussions on the dynamics of punishment in Latin America and beyond.

What Do We Know About How Processes of Desistance Vary by Ethnicity?

2025-06-22

Stephen Farrall , Jason Warr , Andy Shaw +1 more | The Howard Journal of Crime and Justice

ABSTRACT This paper reviews what is known about ethnic identity and the processes by which people cease offending. Whilst the past 30 years have seen dramatic growth in what is … ABSTRACT This paper reviews what is known about ethnic identity and the processes by which people cease offending. Whilst the past 30 years have seen dramatic growth in what is known about desistance, in many jurisdictions, there is a paucity of research which examines this in terms of ethnicity or ethnic variations. We therefore review what is empirically known about ethnicity and desistance. Whilst this review draws from the global literature, our focus is on what this literature tells us about ethnicity and desistance from a British perspective. We find that the majority of these have been undertaken in the United States (although there are some European and Australasian studies). Few studies, however, have fully unpacked the role of racism (in terms of institutional processes or overt prejudice and hostility) and that there have been very few studies of the roles played by ethnicity in processes of desistance.

Correction to “Trust and the Use of Digital Social and Healthcare Services Among Incarcerated People: A Mixed Methods Study in Finnish Prisons”

2025-06-22

| Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology

Imprisoned Minds: Lost Boys, Trapped Men, and Solutions from Within the Prison

2025-06-21

Ashley M. Appleby | Journal of Criminal Justice Education

Governing Risk Through Forced Confinement: Clawback of Pre-Pandemic Reforms

2025-06-20

Jessica Evans , Linda Mussell

<p dir="ltr">We examine the use of forced confinement and isolation to limit the spread of COVID-19 in Ontario prisons and jails. Drawing on interview data, we illustrate how a reliance … <p dir="ltr">We examine the use of forced confinement and isolation to limit the spread of COVID-19 in Ontario prisons and jails. Drawing on interview data, we illustrate how a reliance on forced confinement and isolation has exacerbated harms experienced by prisoners in relation to physical, mental, and social health. Through discourse analysis of grey literature, we then discuss the politics and governance of carceral institutions during the pandemic, focusing on how practices of isolation were legitimized during the pandemic, despite recent rulings establishing isolation and segregation as torture. We close by arguing that the case of isolation during the pandemic is one example which highlights the systemic and ongoing nature of rights violations in Canadian prisons and jails. To address these harms, we must shift focus away from reform and towards decarceration.</p>

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Prison Power and Control Dynamics: Incarcerated Mothers’ Experiences of Economic Restriction and Economic Exploitation

2025-06-20

Gina Fedock , Celina M. Doria , Sheila Shankar +1 more | Violence Against Women

Dynamics of incarceration resemble power and control dynamics of intimate partner violence and constitute state violence. We examined incarcerated mothers’ experiences of the economic dynamics of incarceration to explore how … Dynamics of incarceration resemble power and control dynamics of intimate partner violence and constitute state violence. We examined incarcerated mothers’ experiences of the economic dynamics of incarceration to explore how they resemble forms of economic abuse. Based on constant comparative analysis, we found the following dynamics: (1) the prison overcharging and underfunding incarcerated mothers; (2) economic exploitation with staff withholding necessities; (3) economic restriction through racialized hierarchies of employment that negatively impacted Black mothers; and (4) mothers paying to parent. All dynamics were interconnected with sexual abuse by prison staff. Our findings have implications for disrupting state violence within prisons.

The #stigma of #conviction: a Twitter thematic analysis

2025-06-20

Eman Tadros , Tessa Mullin , Sarah Presley | Current Psychology

Abstract Incarceration embodies challenges that are experienced directly through imprisonment, as well as in the enduring associations that follow an individual post release. To improve reintegration and rehabilitation efforts, it … Abstract Incarceration embodies challenges that are experienced directly through imprisonment, as well as in the enduring associations that follow an individual post release. To improve reintegration and rehabilitation efforts, it is critical to understand collective ideologies toward justice-involved individuals and their counterparts. Utilizing thematic analysis, we explored public perception of incarcerated populations via Twitter data (now known as X). A total of n = 676 Tweets were collected, with four emerging themes: Twitter as usual, Criminal justice opinion, Deserving to suffer and stereotypes, and Advocacy. Stigmatizing language was observed in all themes, demonstrating the role that pathologizing beliefs play in public response to incarcerated individuals. Our findings indicate that current perceptions on those associated with the criminal justice system, as well as on the system itself, appear to be supported by personal morals and lack of trust. Although stigma-laden narratives often dominate these themes, social networking sites such as Twitter can act as a powerful tool to use in advocacy efforts for vulnerable populations.

Grooming Victimization and Psychological Distress While Incarcerated: A Comparison of Sexual Minority and Heterosexual Youth

2025-06-20

Katelyn M. McMahon , Branna Humphrey , William M. Anderson | Journal of Child Sexual Abuse

This study examines the correlations between grooming behaviors within juvenile correctional facilities and their impact on psychological distress among incarcerated youth, including a comparison between sexual minority (N = 648) … This study examines the correlations between grooming behaviors within juvenile correctional facilities and their impact on psychological distress among incarcerated youth, including a comparison between sexual minority (N = 648) and heterosexual (N = 4,690) subsamples. Using the National Survey of Youth in Custody-3 (BJS, 2018), the analysis finds that various grooming behaviors - including receiving photos or letters from staff, staff sharing personal details, staff providing contraband, staff giving gifts, staff offering special protection, staff inappropriately discussing sex topics, and youth giving letters or photos to staff - are significantly correlated with varying levels of distress. Further, receiving a special gift from a staff member and being offered special protection from staff both had significantly greater effects on the correlation with distress for the heterosexual subsample; however, staff sharing emotional feelings and juveniles giving photos or letters to staff had significantly greater impacts on the correlation with distress for the sexual minority subsample.

Toward a Queer Pathways Framework: Understanding the Disproportionate Incarceration of LGBTQ People

2025-06-20

Stefan Vogler | Critical Criminology

Abstract Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people are disproportionately incarcerated. Nascent scholarship has begun to explore this phenomenon, but we lack a comprehensive theoretical account to make sense … Abstract Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people are disproportionately incarcerated. Nascent scholarship has begun to explore this phenomenon, but we lack a comprehensive theoretical account to make sense of this disparate empirical work and to guide future research. This paper proposes such an account by bringing together insights from general strain theory and feminist pathways theory to create a queer pathways framework that more thoroughly accounts for LGBTQ-specific strains and experiences that range from the macro-structural to the interactional and intrapersonal. Using this framework, I generate a series of propositions to help guide future empirical work on LGBTQ incarceration.

Measuring people in prison's perceptions of correctional officer procedural justice

2025-06-20

Thomas Baker , James V. Ray , Matt R. Nobles | Journal of Criminal Justice

Governing Risk Through Forced Confinement: Clawback of Pre-Pandemic Reforms

2025-06-20

Jessica Evans , Linda Mussell

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Integrated model of abscond: transitioning towards a more integrated understanding of why prisoners abscond from open prisons

2025-06-20

Thomas Bonser , Megan Harrington-Fletcher , Katy Lingham +2 more | Journal of Forensic Practice

Purpose Open prisons aim to mirror the conditions of the community and seek to allow prisoners a gradual adjustment to independence. However, abscond from open prisons attracts public concern and … Purpose Open prisons aim to mirror the conditions of the community and seek to allow prisoners a gradual adjustment to independence. However, abscond from open prisons attracts public concern and strict policies and procedures govern how staff should manage prisoners in open conditions safely. This conceptual paper aims to draw on existing literature and recent internally commissioned His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) research, which explored the perspectives of open prison staff and prisoners who have absconded. It highlights some limitations of previous approaches (e.g. the “push/pull” model). Design/methodology/approach This conceptual paper used existing HMPPS research and relevant literature to conceptualise the “problem” of abscond and to identify factors to guide future thinking and practice in this area. Four HMPPS abscond-focused research studies were completed between 2022 and 2024. Across these four studies, the authors explored the perceptions of 12 prisoners who have absconded and 11 staff working in open prisons across England. Combined with existing literature on absconds and desistance from absconds, these four studies contributed to the development of the integrated model of abscond (IMA), which is proposed in this paper. Findings Implications for pre-transfer preparation, the prison environment and the psychology of the prisoner have been outlined. The authors suggest prisoner lived experience and staff involvement in the generation of ideas, design and prototyping, and the testing and implementation of any abscond reduction initiatives are paramount, using this model to guide innovation. Originality/value The IMA provides an original, alternative approach to understanding absconds, with emphasis on the interaction between the environmental and psychological factors in contributing to absconds.

Positive Deviants? How Case Managers Navigate Administrative Evil and Neoliberal Violence When Working with Justice-Involved Young People

2025-06-20

Joel McGregor , Ben Arnold Lohmeyer , James Roffee | Deviant Behavior

Impact of Digital Technology Aid on Incarcerated Population Qualitative Method

2025-06-20

S. Srinivasan , R. Vallipriya , Ajay Kumar Singh | Advances in computational intelligence and robotics book series

This study highlights the transformative potential of digital technology in prison settings. It offers opportunities to improve prison efficiency, enhance staff effectiveness, and provide better learning experiences for prisoners, thereby … This study highlights the transformative potential of digital technology in prison settings. It offers opportunities to improve prison efficiency, enhance staff effectiveness, and provide better learning experiences for prisoners, thereby contributing to a safer and more secure society. Technology can strengthen prison safety by using scanners and detectors to monitor staff and inmates automatically. The study emphasizes several aspects of prison life, including fostering positive experiences, promoting repentance and transformation, addressing feelings of loneliness and separation from family, and tackling stigma during parole. It also focuses on rehabilitation programs for life-sentenced inmates, the categorization of inmates, legal justice, and the need for general amnesty and release, particularly for those serving life sentences. Using thematic analysis and examining 6 case studies, the study explores the challenges incarcerated individuals face and demonstrates how digital technology can improve their lives and support rehabilitation efforts.

Compliance With Human and Children’s Rights as Criteria in Justice Policy Evaluations: Adolescent Criminal Law as a Case Study

2025-06-19

A.M. van der Laan , Kirti Zeijlmans | Youth Justice

Evaluations of criminal justice policy focus mainly on effectiveness in reducing recidivism. Public policy evaluations use multiple criteria. For youth justice policy evaluations in particular, compliance with human and children’s … Evaluations of criminal justice policy focus mainly on effectiveness in reducing recidivism. Public policy evaluations use multiple criteria. For youth justice policy evaluations in particular, compliance with human and children’s rights in everyday practice can be a specific criterion. This article argues for the relevance of using compliance with children’s rights in the daily practice of youth criminal justice as an evaluation criterion, and an example evaluation is provided. In a case study of the Dutch Adolescent Criminal Law (ACL), indicators related to these rights are evaluated in ACL policy theory and practice.

Workspaces, currencies, and care: Prison labor dynamics in a women's prison in Peru

2025-06-19

Lucía Bracco Bruce , Luisa Pariachi | Punishment & Society

This article explores the economic-productive system within a women's prison in Peru, focusing on the dynamics of prison labor from a gendered perspective. Drawing on participatory group discussions with female … This article explores the economic-productive system within a women's prison in Peru, focusing on the dynamics of prison labor from a gendered perspective. Drawing on participatory group discussions with female prisoners in a maximum-security facility in Lima, the study uncovers how these women navigate various forms of labor to meet both institutional demands and personal needs. The analysis highlights three key topics: (1) the workspaces within the prison, (2) the types of currencies operating in the prison economy, and (3) care as a resource in prison labor. The study emphasizes the multiplicity of workspaces—formal, hybrid, informal, and illegal—within confinement, identifies the different “currencies” used in the prison economy (including penitentiary benefits, monetary income, and bartering), and demonstrates care, as a gendered concept, transverses women's incorporation to labor dynamics. This research advances the understanding of gendered prison labor by revealing how women's activities often reinforce patriarchal norms while also functioning as strategies for survival and resistance.

The Antecedents of Job Stress for Community Corrections Employees

2025-06-19

Monica Solinas‐Saunders , Matthew C. Leone , Eric G. Lambert +4 more | American Journal of Criminal Justice

Abstract The study examined job stress as experienced by community corrections employees in a Western U.S. state. We employed the job demands and resources model to examine the impact of … Abstract The study examined job stress as experienced by community corrections employees in a Western U.S. state. We employed the job demands and resources model to examine the impact of job demands (dangerousness, role ambiguity, role conflict, and role overload) and job resources (training views, job variety, job autonomy, and formalization) on community corrections officers’ job stress, while controlling for demographic characteristics (sex, age, education, tenure at the job, race/ethnicity). Survey data from 227 community corrections employees in a Western U.S. state were included in the analysis. Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression models indicated that perceptions of dangerousness of the job and role overload significantly contributed to higher job stress, while job autonomy was associated with lower job stress. Surprisingly, while job variety was included as a job resource, it was associated with higher job stress. Among demographic variables, only tenure had a significant association, suggesting that longevity at the job may contribute to job stress among community corrections employees.

Facial Recognition Surveillance

2025-06-19

Pete Fussey , Daragh Murray | Oxford University Press eBooks

Abstract Scanning millions of faces each year, facial recognition technology (FRT) has become one of today’s fastest-growing and most controversial AI-driven surveillance technologies. Based on rare ethnographic access to police … Abstract Scanning millions of faces each year, facial recognition technology (FRT) has become one of today’s fastest-growing and most controversial AI-driven surveillance technologies. Based on rare ethnographic access to police FRT deployments, this book examines the role and impact of this technology on operational practices, surveillance capabilities, and human rights protections. Drawing on the sociology of policing, science and technology studies, and human rights scholarship, the book demonstrates how this surveillance technology both shapes and is shaped by the complex operational environments into which it is deployed, in the process dramatically reshaping police–citizen street encounters. This unique analysis offers several empirically informed contributions that position FRT as a socio-technical system capable of changing the fundamental nature of policing. The affordances of FRT invite specific forms of surveillance expansion that override the intelligence case justifying an operation. Analysis of human–FRT interaction reveals a complex digital nuancing of suspicion, ultimately undermining the role of ‘human-in-the-loop’ safeguards and challenging the foundational legal principles governing state surveillance practices. The book also reveals the highly selective scientific and legal discourses used to legitimize AI-driven surveillance expansion. Here, oft-repeated claims of efficacy, racial impartiality, and public safety are found wanting when subjected to detailed scrutiny. The book draws additionally on the latest human rights theory and practice to specify a due diligence framework specifically tailored to the police FRT uses and, separately, advances the concept of ‘compound human rights harm’ to meaningfully capture the true impact of surveillance, and its multifaceted, complex, and dynamic effects.

Prisoners’ experiences of transition from a progression PIPE to a mainstream high-secure prison environment

2025-06-19

Gemma Tock , Darren L. Johnson | Journal of Criminological Research Policy and Practice

Purpose Despite their clinical value, psychologically informed planned environments (PIPEs) remain under-evaluated, with limited understanding of prisoner transitions. This study aims to explore prisoners’ experiences of transitioning from a PIPE … Purpose Despite their clinical value, psychologically informed planned environments (PIPEs) remain under-evaluated, with limited understanding of prisoner transitions. This study aims to explore prisoners’ experiences of transitioning from a PIPE in a high-secure prison and applying their learning within the main prison population, offering critical insights for rehabilitative practice. Design/methodology/approach Seven adult male prisoners participated in semi-structured interviews, analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis to identify group-level super-ordinate themes. The second researcher conducted an external audit of the analysis. Findings Two super-ordinate themes emerged: disengagement and transition. The findings highlight PIPE as a safe, supportive environment that fosters a strong sense of belonging, enhancing prisoners’ self-belief and readiness for transition. Participants reported increased confidence in addressing challenges. However, the importance of planned through-care is underscored to prevent feelings of rejection, sustain positive relationships and ensure continued support beyond PIPE. Originality/value These findings offer valuable, original insights into prisoners’ transitional experiences within PIPE, reinforcing the significance of its ethos in prison settings. The study highlights PIPE’s clinical value while identifying critical gaps in post-PIPE support. Recommendations are proposed to enhance continuity of care and maximise the long-term impact of PIPE on successful prisoner transitions.

Legal and Extralegal Factors Determining Sentence Type and Length: From a Focal Concerns Lens

2025-06-18

Alyssa M. Sheeran | Crime & Delinquency

The Unites States aspires to a fair criminal justice system with a focus on minimizing the disparate impact of discretionary decision making at all stages of the justice system. Judges … The Unites States aspires to a fair criminal justice system with a focus on minimizing the disparate impact of discretionary decision making at all stages of the justice system. Judges consider a variety of factors in making their sentencing decisions, like responsibility of the defendant and how best to protect the community. However, the use of discretion can contribute to unwarranted disparities. The current study sought to examine the influence of both legal and extralegal factors on both the incarceration and sentence length decisions. Using focal concerns perspective as a theoretical underpinning, this study determined that legal factors were more influential in sentencing outcomes than extralegal factors. Policy implications and future research are discussed throughout the paper.

Culpability and Fairness: Perspectives from Women’s Prisons in the Deep South

2025-06-18

Susan Dewey , Jennifer L. Kenney , Leah P. Cheatham +1 more | Women & Criminal Justice

Historical, contemporaneous, and future perspectives of the use of restorative justice in probation

2025-06-18

Kyros Hadjisergis , Yasmin Devi-McGleish , David Cox | Contemporary Justice Review

Revisiting New Zealand’s “gift to the world”: demythologising youth justice family group conferencing in Aotearoa New Zealand

2025-06-18

William R. Wood , Juan Tauri | Contemporary Justice Review

Evaluating the Impact of the Sierra Leone Correctional Service Act on the Well-being of Female Inmates: A Case Study of Pa Demba Road Maximum Security Prison

2025-06-18

Kadijatu Sow | Journal of Scientific Reports

This study evaluates the impact of Sierra Leone’s Correctional Service Act of 2014 on the well-being of female inmates, with a focus on the Pa Demba Road Maximum Security Prison … This study evaluates the impact of Sierra Leone’s Correctional Service Act of 2014 on the well-being of female inmates, with a focus on the Pa Demba Road Maximum Security Prison in Freetown. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the research integrates both qualitative and quantitative data to assess the influence of gender-specific policies on the physical and mental health, access to justice, and rehabilitation outcomes for incarcerated women. Primary data were collected from 50 female inmates through structured surveys, supplemented by interviews with prison officials, legal experts, and human rights advocates. The study reveals significant gaps in policy implementation, leading to substandard living conditions marked by overcrowding, inadequate healthcare, and poor sanitation. Mental health issues are prevalent, with 73% of respondents reporting symptoms of depression and anxiety. Legal access remains limited, with many women detained without proper representation. The study concludes with seven key hypotheses examining the relationship between gender-specific policies, prison environment, and the well-being of female inmates. Recommendations include enhancing gender-sensitive policies, improving legal aid, expanding vocational rehabilitation programs, and strengthening oversight to prevent human rights violations. This research contributes to the ongoing dialogue on improving correctional conditions for female prisoners in Sierra Leone.

Potential of Restorative Justice

2025-06-18

Kahyeng Chai | Emerald Publishing Limited eBooks

Examining the Relationship Between Interpersonal Racial Discrimination and Reentry Optimism Among an Incarcerated Sample

2025-06-18

Kenton Fisher , Victoria Veldman , Andrew J. Thompson +2 more | American Journal of Criminal Justice

Challenges and Strategies for Conducting Prison Research in Bangladesh: Insights from a Study on Women Prisoners

2025-06-18

Mst. Nurjahan Khatun | Journal of science and technology.

In Bangladesh, prison research has many challenges. This article has explored the challenges of prison research with overcoming strategies, which have been drawn from the author’s PhD research work. A … In Bangladesh, prison research has many challenges. This article has explored the challenges of prison research with overcoming strategies, which have been drawn from the author’s PhD research work. A mixed methodological approach was used here. This article has been developed based on the findings of the observation method regarding gaining access to the prison and interviewing female criminals. Of many challenges, the bureaucratic hurdles in gaining legal permission for prison access and the complexities of interviewing incarcerated female offenders were especially difficult. Gaining access to prison was an arduous and prolonged process, including multiple government officials and official interviews. In the prison, the author faced emotional, logistical, and ethical challenges from the prisoners. The author also had to deal with prisoners’ mistrust, emotional trauma, rigid routines, and volatile environments. Adapting to prison rules, coping with personal anxieties, and maintaining balanced relations between prison staff and inmates were critical challenges as well. However, rapport-building was a useful strategy to obtain reliable data, achieved through empathy, cultural sensitivity, and informal interactions. In addition, institutional MoUs, consistent communication with authorities, and trust with respondents through transparency and respect were strategies for addressing challenges. Despite many challenges, this study can be marked as a pioneering effort in Bangladeshi prison research, offering critical insights and strategic guidance for future researchers.

Forgotten Family Relationships: How Incarcerated Brothers Experience Sibling Support

2025-06-17

Estéfani Marín , Kristin Turney , Angie B. Monreal | Journal of Marriage and Family

ABSTRACT Objective We explore how incarcerated brothers experience support from their non‐incarcerated siblings. Background Sibling incarceration is the most common type of family member incarceration, with more than one‐quarter of … ABSTRACT Objective We explore how incarcerated brothers experience support from their non‐incarcerated siblings. Background Sibling incarceration is the most common type of family member incarceration, with more than one‐quarter of U.S. adults enduring a sibling's incarceration (and, most commonly, a brother's incarceration). Despite the prevalence of sibling incarceration and the importance of sibling relationships throughout the life course, little is known about sibling support in the context of incarceration from the receiver's perspective (or other family members' perspectives). Method We use longitudinal in‐depth interviews with 122 incarcerated adult brothers and 69 of their mothers to explore how system‐impacted families negotiate non‐incarcerated sibling support. Results We find that incarcerated brothers and their mothers describe navigating four types of sibling support: (1) unconditional, intrinsic support to incarcerated brothers and other family members shaped by cultural expectations of family reliance; (2) mediated, reluctant support to incarcerated brothers prompted by mothers; (3) disengaged, infrequent support to incarcerated brothers due to constraints and/or to protect themselves; and (4) absent, no support to incarcerated brothers because siblings have grown tired of their brothers cycling through the criminal legal system. Conclusion We advance scholarship on criminal legal contact and family life by documenting how incarcerated brothers experience support from their non‐incarcerated siblings and highlight the considerable and enduring consequences of incarceration for the entire family system.

“Place-finding” as the key to reintegration after release from prison in older age: A transdisciplinary, holistic and strengths-based reintegration framework using grounded theory

2025-06-17

Ye In Hwang | PLoS ONE

Prisons globally face an ‘ageing epidemic,’ releasing unprecedented numbers of older adults into the community. Research highlights substantial challenges in reintegrating this underserved and marginalised group. Urgent work is needed … Prisons globally face an ‘ageing epidemic,’ releasing unprecedented numbers of older adults into the community. Research highlights substantial challenges in reintegrating this underserved and marginalised group. Urgent work is needed to understand their needs and develop effective social, criminological, and public health solutions. This study aimed to create a transdisciplinary, strengths-based conceptual framework to understand and begin addressing the reintegration needs of older individuals leaving prison. Applying grounded theory to qualitative data from Australia – including interviews and workshops with stakeholders and individuals with lived experience – resulted in the development of the ‘Place-finding’ conceptual framework. Successful reintegration can be understood in terms of a journey through stages of “institutionalisation,” “crisis,” “survival & adjustment,” and “grounding”. The framework posits that incarceration produces a ‘loss of place’ in individuals, primarily through institutionalisation and disconnection from society. It argues for the consideration of the right supports at the right time for the unique needs of individuals who will vary in their levels of disconnection. It finds key concepts such as facilitating timely access to services, reconnection with society, building key literacies and healing and restoration from past experiences to be vital in this journey. This preliminary framework offers novel theoretical insights and practical implications for understanding and improving reintegration success in older adults, and is potentially applicable to individuals of various ages, incarceration length and location.

No Exit: Preventing Exit to Prevent Entry

2025-06-17

Audrey Macklin | International Migration

ABSTRACT Enlisting states of origin or transit to prevent exit from their own territory has become a tool of extraterritorial migration control for industrialised liberal democratic states. This article first … ABSTRACT Enlisting states of origin or transit to prevent exit from their own territory has become a tool of extraterritorial migration control for industrialised liberal democratic states. This article first explores the practical erosion of the right to leave any country since the demise of communism, focusing on arrangements between EU member states and select African states of origin or transit. I then document the legitimating function performed by the anti‐smuggling and search and rescue regimes in effacing the human right to leave. I conclude by situating exit restrictions in a wider European project of promoting, building and supporting border infrastructure in the name of development and capacity building in select African countries. This permits reflection on what the contemporary use of exit restrictions signifies for the equation of border control and sovereignty.

Witness work, defendant work and participatory roles

2025-06-17

John Taggart | Routledge eBooks

Experiences of Incarceration

2025-06-17

| University of California Press eBooks

Empire’s Black Sites - Benjamin Weber. American Purgatory: Prison Imperialism and the Rise of Mass Incarceration. New York: New Press, 2023. 304 pp. $28.99 (cloth), ISBN 9781620975909.

2025-06-17

Justin Randolph | The Journal of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era

A quasi-experimental evaluation of a specialized treatment service for youth adjudicated for sexual offences in Queensland, Australia

2025-06-17

Jesse Cale , Tyson Whitten , Francisco Perales +2 more | Journal of Criminal Justice

“A Crime Against Humanity”: Prison, Capitalism, and Convict No. 9653 (Eugene V. Debs)

2025-06-17

John T. Popiel | The Journal of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era

Abstract This article explores Eugene V. Debs’s experiences at the Moundsville prison and the federal penitentiary in Atlanta (1919–1921). It looks at his relationships with other inmates and his supporters … Abstract This article explores Eugene V. Debs’s experiences at the Moundsville prison and the federal penitentiary in Atlanta (1919–1921). It looks at his relationships with other inmates and his supporters outside of prison and examines the effects prison life had on Debs and his ideology. Most importantly, it closely examines his only book-length work: his prison memoir, Walls and Bars. It explores Debs’s critique of the prison system, the jailing of drug addicts, and the interconnectedness of capitalism and the penitentiary system.

Do Short Spells Matter? Conceptualizing and Testing the Effects of Brief Incarcerations on Labor Market Outcomes

2025-06-17

Sonja E. Siennick , Alex O. Widdowson | Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency

Objectives Although most incarceration spells are brief, the collateral consequences of short spells are understudied. This study tested whether brief incarcerations predicted postrelease employment outcomes, and whether any apparent impacts … Objectives Although most incarceration spells are brief, the collateral consequences of short spells are understudied. This study tested whether brief incarcerations predicted postrelease employment outcomes, and whether any apparent impacts of these spells were artifacts of the impacts of arrest or other confounds. Methods We used data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth—1997 cohort ( N = 8,842) and propensity score matching. Individuals who were incarcerated for two months or less or for more than two months were compared against similar never-incarcerated individuals and arrested but not incarcerated individuals. Results In bivariate analyses, arrest and incarceration were negatively associated with employment and work intensity. After matching, among all respondents, short spells were associated with employment outcomes only when all nonincarcerated persons were the reference group. Among respondents who were employed preincarceration, longer spells had stronger negative associations with employment outcomes than short spells, and short spells were not associated with most outcomes when arrested persons were the reference group. Conclusions Individuals who have experienced brief incarcerations may not be disadvantaged in the labor market because of their incarceration. The collateral consequences literature should be integrated with the literature on preexisting disadvantage and other forms of criminal justice contact.

Breaking Through: Surveying the Experiences of Social and Behavioral Science Researchers Working in Correctional Environments

2025-06-17

Ashley B. Batastini , Jennifer Eno Louden , Virginia Barber‐Rioja +1 more | Criminal Justice and Behavior

Although barriers to conducting correctional research are familiar to those who do this work, there have been no known efforts to document the challenges reported by social and behavioral science … Although barriers to conducting correctional research are familiar to those who do this work, there have been no known efforts to document the challenges reported by social and behavioral science researchers across the United States. Quantitative and qualitative analyses from 83 respondents revealed barriers mostly centered on concerns or constraints by a partnering correctional agency; however, few respondents reported issues with the agency’s willingness to collaborate. The extent of barriers was not associated with researchers’ career level, age, years of experience, or employment setting. Despite challenges, participants were primarily motivated to do this work by their interests in addressing social justice issues. Researchers’ strategies for conducting research in correctional settings and experiences publishing their work are also presented. Quantitative and qualitative results support the need to allocate better resources to correctional researchers and agencies if the goal is to improve our criminal justice system more effectively and efficiently.