ABSTRACT
In the United States, only fourteen percent of inmates participated in educational classes, and less than seven percent participated in vocational training as stated by Coop and Bales (2018). The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the perceptions of correctional staff about the vocational training programs Black or Brown ex-convicts may have received or had access to while incarcerated. Limited access to training might have contributed to fewer opportunities for employment upon release. The theories used to frame this study were the General Strain Theory, Self-Determination Theory, Social Control Theory, and Self-Determination Theory. This qualitative case study included one-on-one structured interviews with 15 open-ended questions conducted with ten Florida correctional officers in an online face-to-face platform. Braun and Clarke's (2006) six-step thematic analysis utilizing NVivo was used to analyze the interview transcripts' textual data. Three themes emerged from participants' responses: Correctional officers believed improvement was needed for the employability training offered to the ex-convicts, correctional officers perceived there was a lack of motivation on the part of the convict to become employed, and correctional officers believed there were obstacles or limitations for inmates participating in programs. Participants suggested that there need to be efforts to promote the programs to inmates, address low-program enrollment rates, and improve programs to help inmates become successful in acquiring a job. Correctional officers believed the lack of motivation by inmates to participate in a program may have led to recidivism upon release and lowered the ex-convicts' chances of securing employment. This study would be important to correctional facility administration for designing and implementing inmate programs. Future research studies should include the perspective of ex-convicts and focus on how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted inmates and programs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
ABSTRACT
[...]the prosecutor has an obligation to enter into these decisions with clarity of purpose and knowledge of the consequences. [...]the prosecution standards specifically encourage prosecutors to find, where possible, noncriminal dispositions as part of the charging decision. Many drug-related offenses are a misdemeanor for a first offense but escalate to a higher-level misdemeanor or even felony offense on a second or subsequent offense. [...]a conviction for what some would consider "just a little weed" could carry significant consequences on a second time through the system. Formal diversion programs may offer a specific program for identifying those offenders who are low risk for re-offense, while other prosecutors who lack such a formal program with screening tools may have to rely on the information provided by defense counsel and any consultation with the victim.
ABSTRACT
Background: The digitization of health care and social welfare services creates many opportunities for the rehabilitation of incarcerated people and their preparation for release from prison. A range of digital platforms and technology solutions have been developed that offer multiple opportunities to handle private matters either by video conference, email, or some other digital format during imprisonment. However, incarcerated people have limited access to digital health care and social welfare services, and face challenges related to shortcomings in their digital skills and self-efficacy. Objective: This article assessed the significance of incarcerated people’s self-efficacy in terms of their sense of control over the use of digital health care and social welfare services. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a questionnaire. Research data were collected from 11 prisons in different parts of Finland, and a total of 225 incarcerated people responded to the survey. Statistical analyses were conducted using the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient, 2-tailed t test, linear regression analysis, and Hayes bootstrapping method. Results: The results showed the significance of both general and internet-specific self-efficacy, which appear to be more important for the use of digital health care and social welfare services than factors related to a person’s socioeconomic background or sentence. Age was negatively correlated with perceived control over the use of digital health care and social welfare services. Furthermore, the study emphasized the importance of support from family and friends, as well as prison employees. Conclusions: The digitalization of prisons offers many opportunities, but special consideration should be given to how the digitization of health care and social welfare services responds to the needs of incarcerated people in terms of their integration into society and the prevention of recidivism. During imprisonment, attention should be paid to strengthening the digital skills of incarcerated people, with support provided by prison employees. In addition to providing guidance on the use of individual digital services, the study recommends strengthening the general digital skills of incarcerated people, as well as developing their life management skills.