The effectiveness of blended versus regular Forensic Outpatient Systemic Therapy in the treatment of juvenile antisocial behavior: a study protocol of a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Antisocial behavior during adolescence can have long-lasting negative effects and leads to high societal costs. Forensic Outpatient Systemic Therapy (Forensische Ambulante Systeem Therapie; FAST) is a promising treatment for juveniles aged 12-21 showing severe antisocial behavior. The intensity, content and duration of FAST can be adjusted to the needs of the juvenile and their caregiver(s), which is considered crucial for effective treatment. Next to the regular version of FAST (FASTr), a blended version (FASTb) in which face-to-face contacts are replaced by minimally 50% online contacts over the duration of intervention was developed during the Covid-19 pandemic. The current study will investigate whether FASTb is equally effective as FASTr, and through which mechanisms of change, for whom, and under which conditions FASTr and FASTb work. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be carried out. Participants (N = 200) will be randomly assigned to FASTb (n = 100) or FASTr (n = 100). Data collection will consist of self-report questionnaires and case file analysis, and include a pre-test at the start of the intervention, a post-test immediately after the intervention, and a six month follow-up. Mechanisms of change will be investigated using monthly questionnaires of key variables during treatment. Official recidivism data will be collected at two-year follow-up. DISCUSSION: This study aims to improve the effectiveness and quality of forensic mental health care for juveniles with antisocial behavior by studying the effectiveness of blended care, which has not been studied before in treatment of externalizing behavior. If found to be at least as effective as face-to-face treatment, blended treatment can help meet the urgent need for more flexible and efficient interventions in this field. In addition, the proposed study aims to unravel what works for whom, knowledge urgently needed in mental health care for juveniles with severe antisocial behavior. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov on 07/11/2022, registration number NCT05606978.

Strategic Adaptation in a Crisis: Treatment Court Responses to COVID-19

This article draws on a case study of how Massachusetts treatment courts responded to the COVID-19 pandemic to address two intersecting theoretical and policy questions: (1) How do actors who work within criminal legal organizations use the law to solve complex social and political problems? (2) How do organizations working within multiple, fragmented organizational fields respond to an exogenous shock? The findings draw on interviews with eighty-four treatment court judges and practitioners and build from neo-institutional approaches to the study of courts to show that legal actors and organizations pursue pragmatic approaches, strategically adapting to their external environments through buffering, which is protective, and innovation, which is transformative. Each strategy reflects the courts' autonomy or dependence on other organizations in the criminal legal and social service fields. The findings also provide insight into the social process of legitimation as personnel aligned beliefs with adaptation strategies, shifting understandings of surveillance practices and the utility of sanctions to meet overall court goals.

Checkpoint cymru: A process evaluation of the introduction of a custody suite diversion scheme in north Wales

Background: The evidence demonstrates the need to study diversion from police custody. For clarity, police custody diversion is a process where offenders are diverted away from being charged or prosecuted and receive support to diminish the risk of recidivism.Method: The original plan was to conduct a process evaluation of the implementation of Checkpoint Cymru using a mixed methods design. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, it was not possible to achieve the original aims and objectives. A new plan was implemented, and the researcher evaluated the implementation process through the experience of those facilitating, managing, and advising Checkpoint Cymru.Results: The results from the research project indicated Checkpoint Cymru had a positive impact on recidivism and life change from a professional view. However, this was overshadowed by the navigator's frustrations and several organizational issues posing risk to employee wellbeing, the long-term success of the scheme and requiring attention. The wider findings relate most to the impacts of organizational conflict, the importance of effective communication and several take-home lessons for future research.Conclusion: This thesis offers an honest and rare insight to the complexities of conducting research between two major organizations during a global pandemic. It demonstrates how things can go wrong when a partnership is fractured with minimal desire to acknowledge and deal with identified barriers.Limitations: Methodological limitations inhibited the project achieving its initial aims and objectives. However, this was not detrimental to the project. In fact, this gave the researcher more scope to explore professional experience, producing important findings which otherwise may have remained undisclosed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

The Effects of Vocational Education on Recidivism and Employment Among Individuals Released Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Prior research shows employment is an important component of desistance, but there is mixed evidence regarding the effectiveness of prison-based education programs. Therefore, this study examines whether participation in vocational education programs while incarcerated improves recidivism and post-release employment outcomes. In addition, the study controls for the timing of release to examine whether recidivism and employment outcomes varied during the COVID-19 pandemic. Observable selection bias was reduced by using propensity score matching to create similar treatment and comparison groups. After matching, there were no differences in any outcome between those who obtained vocational certificates and the comparison group. The results demonstrate the importance of accounting for selection bias in evaluations of education and employment programs. It is recommended that career-focused educational programs incorporate the risk-needs-responsivity model and the continuum of care principle, build relationships with community employers, and assist with practical barriers to employment.

Checkpoint cymru: A process evaluation of the introduction of a custody suite diversion scheme in north Wales

Background: The evidence demonstrates the need to study diversion from police custody. For clarity, police custody diversion is a process where offenders are diverted away from being charged or prosecuted and receive support to diminish the risk of recidivism.Method: The original plan was to conduct a process evaluation of the implementation of Checkpoint Cymru using a mixed methods design. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, it was not possible to achieve the original aims and objectives. A new plan was implemented, and the researcher evaluated the implementation process through the experience of those facilitating, managing, and advising Checkpoint Cymru.Results: The results from the research project indicated Checkpoint Cymru had a positive impact on recidivism and life change from a professional view. However, this was overshadowed by the navigator's frustrations and several organizational issues posing risk to employee wellbeing, the long-term success of the scheme and requiring attention. The wider findings relate most to the impacts of organizational conflict, the importance of effective communication and several take-home lessons for future research.Conclusion: This thesis offers an honest and rare insight to the complexities of conducting research between two major organizations during a global pandemic. It demonstrates how things can go wrong when a partnership is fractured with minimal desire to acknowledge and deal with identified barriers.Limitations: Methodological limitations inhibited the project achieving its initial aims and objectives. However, this was not detrimental to the project. In fact, this gave the researcher more scope to explore professional experience, producing important findings which otherwise may have remained undisclosed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Mental health and addiction diagnoses are linked to increased violent injuries and gaps in provision of resources during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has been linked to increased mental health issues and interpersonal violence. Both psychiatric diagnoses and young males are overrepresented in the trauma population. Our objective was to characterize injury characteristics and their relationship to psychiatric diagnoses after the COVID-19 lockdown at a trauma centre in Edmonton, Alberta. Specifically, we queried relationships between gender, age, length of stay and intentionally violent injuries, and we reviewed access to inpatient and outpatient mental health and addiction resources. Method(s): We performed a retrospective chart audit for trauma patients aged 18-64 years admitted to the University of Alberta Hospital Trauma Service from June 1 to Aug. 31, 2020. Variables included demographics, injury characteristics, psychiatric history, substance use disorder history and presence of psychiatry and addictions consultations. Treatment plans and follow-up were assessed. Frequencies and basic descriptives were calculated. Univariate analyses were performed to identify relationships between psychiatric or addiction diagnosis (or both) and injury patterns. Result(s): A total of 176 patients met the inclusion criteria. Patients were young (mean age 39.7 yr) and male (73%), and blunt injury was most common (82%). Sixty-three patients (36%) had a psychiatric (29 patients) or addiction (59 patients) history. Twenty-eight patients (15%) received consults to the psychiatry service. At discharge, follow-up included mental health team (10 patients, 36%), family physician (2 patients, 7%) or self-referral resources (8 patients, 29%). Eight patients were not provided follow-up. Fifty-nine patients (34%) had 1 or more addictions history. Nineteen patients (32%) received consultations to psychiatry (18 patients) or addictions (1 patient). Otherwise, 6 patients (10%) were provided community resources at tertiary survey, 6 patients (10%) declined offered resources and 6 patients (10%) had traumatic brain injury (addiction resources deferred). Twenty-five patients (42%) either were not offered resources or documentation was unclear. On univariate analysis of patients with psychiatry consult, age was similar, but females were more likely to be represented (42% v. 24%, p = 0.06). Average length of stay was 17 days versus 9.7 days (p = 0.05). Having a psychiatric consultation or addictions history (or both) was associated with a violent mechanism of injury (35% v. 18%, p < 0.02). Conclusion(s): Over one-third of trauma patients aged 18-64 years had a psychiatric or addiction history (or both) and were significantly more likely to have a violent injury mechanism. Psychiatric consultation was common, more so in female patients, and linked to increased length of stay. Community follow-up was suboptimal, especially for patients with addiction history. Resource access and provision must be optimized to improve care, reduce recidivism and target interpersonal violence during this time of increased individual and system stress..

Management of depression: A daily challenge in psychiatric emergencies

Depression is the most common psychiatric disorder in the general population, and emergency room visits for depression have been increasing for several years. In addition, the Covid-19 pandemic may lead to an explosion of psychiatric emergency room visits for this reason, with an overall prevalence of anxiety and depression that appears to be increasing since 2020. The Centre Psychiatrique d'Orientation et d'Accueil is a regional psychiatric emergency service located in Paris which records approximately 10,000 consultations per year. Among these consultations, the main symptoms are those of depression (depressive ideations, anxiety) and nearly 40 % are diagnosed with mood disorders, including depression. The management of the patient in the emergency room is based on a global evaluation, which should not be limited to the psychiatric interview. In the best case, and if compatible with the organization of the service, an initial evaluation by the nursing reception staff determines the context of the arrival of the patient, the reason and the degree of urgency of the consultation can thus be assessed from the outset. The request for care can come from the patient themself, but also from family and friends who are worried about a decline in the patient's previous condition. The consultation may also be triggered by the intervention of emergency services, particularly in the case of attempted suicide or agitation. The context of arrival, the environment, and the patient's entourage must be taken into account in order to achieve an optimal orientation. Particular attention must be paid to the first episodes (elimination of a differential diagnosis, screening for a possible bipolar disorder). The existence of an external causal factor or a comorbid personality disorder should not trivialize the consultation and lead to a faulty diagnosis of a characterized depressive episode. Drug treatment in the emergency room is usually symptomatic (anxiolytic treatment with benzodiazepines or neuroleptics, depending on the situation), and outpatient referral should always be preferred. Therapeutic adaptations can then be considered. The decision to hospitalize must always be justified, and consent for care must be rigorously evaluated. It is almost always necessary to take the patient's entourage into account as well as the potential support of the patient by the entourage. All these elements must be recorded in the file. Suicide risk assessment must be systematic for all patients consulting psychiatric emergencies, and the use of the RUD (Risk, Urgency, Dangerousness) grid can be useful. Any decision to release a patient with suicidal tendencies must be made strictly following certain conditions:a rapid psychiatric re-evaluation of the crisis, with for example the proposal of a post-emergency consultation, a supportive entourage, accepted symptomatic treatment. The registration of the suicidal patient in a monitoring system such as VigilanS can also be beneficial and reduce the risk of recidivism.

TELEHEALTH VERSUS IN-PERSON PRIMARY CARE VISITS POST-EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT (ED) DISCHARGE: ASSOCIATIONS WITH RETURN TO ED OR HOSPITALIZATION

BACKGROUND: Ensuring appropriate outpatient follow-up is a mainstay of Emergency Medicine to avoid poor patient outcomes. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many post-ED discharge visits were rapidly transitioned from inperson to telehealth. Our study investigates the associations between ED recidivism or subsequent hospitalization after either telehealth or in-person visits follow-up visits. We hypothesize that telehealth visits are less successful than in-person visits at preventing either outcome. METHODS: This retrospective study used electronic health record data from an urban academic health system. All adult patients were included if they presented to either of two in-system EDs between 1/1/20 - 10/31/21 with a chief complaint of chest pain, syncope, abdominal pain, or altered mental status. If patients had multiple ED visits, only their first was included. The post-ED follow-up window was restricted to two weeks. We used multivariate logistic regressions, which controlled for patient age, sex, race, ethnicity, primary language, insurance type, and social vulnerability index, to estimate the association between the type of post-ED follow-up and two outcomes within 30 days after the follow-up appointment: 1) returning to the ED or 2) hospitalization. RESULTS: Of 23,856 ED visits that met criteria, 10,180 (42%) had follow-up telehealth visits, 3,925 (16%) had in-person follow-up, and 9,760 (40%) had no follow-up. A total of 2,119 (9%) patients returned to the ED after their follow-up: 12% of whom had telehealth visits, 7% had in-person visits, and 6% had no follow-up visit. 684 (3%) of patients were admitted: 6% of those with telehealth visits, 2% with in-person visits, and 0.2% with no follow-up visit. Compared to having no visit, telehealth visits were associated with an adjusted OR (aOR) of returning to the ED of 2.7 (95% CI, 2.4 -3.1), and in-person visits were associated with an aOR of 1.8 (95% CI, 1.5 -2.1). Compared to those with an in-person visit, telehealth follow-up was associated with an aOR of 1.5 (95% CI, 1.3 -1.8) of returning to the ED. Compared to having no visit, telehealth visits were associated with an aOR of 27.8 (95% CI, 17.4 -44.4), and in-person visits were associated with an aOR of 12.1 (95% CI, 7.2 -20.1) of hospitalization. Compared to those with an in-person visit, telehealth was associated with an aOR of 2.3 (95% CI, 1.8 -2.9) of hospitalization. All aORs were significant with p < 0.001. CONCLUSIONS: Telehealth follow-up visits were associated with higher odds of returning to the ED and hospitalization compared to in-person visits;though some of this association is likely due to patients who are sicker choosing telemedicine over in-person, this finding also suggests in-person follow-up may be more effective than telehealth at decreasing repeat ED visits and hospitalizations. Further analysis that adjusts for patient comorbidities and illness severity will help us to better understand the impact of post-ED followup on ED recidivism and hospitalization.

Effective Online Course Delivery in Correctional Settings: A Pilot

This paper provides an analysis of best practices for the design and delivery of online programming within correctional facilities, ascertained from the evaluation of a pilot course. Utilizing the case study methodology, it was observed that fully online coursework may be delivered within controlled settings. Key considerations for effective design and delivery centered around scheduling regular check-ins with administration from the University and the Correctional Center, conducting technology testing on a set cadence, incorporating synchronous components and evaluating opportunities for the inclusion of course-embedded advising to ensure engagement. Future directions include continued delivery of a Baccalaureate program, the incorporation of micro-credentials to provide targeted training in key areas of relevance and degree continuity planning to support degree completion among recently released individuals.

Linking out-of-hospital deaths with a regional hospital-based firearm injury database: a clinical researcher's guide to accessing data from the National Death Index.

IntroductionFirearm injuries are a public health crisis in the US. The National Death Index (NDI) is a well-established, comprehensive database managed by the National Center for Health Statistics at the CDC. In this methodology paper we describe our experience accessing and linking data from the NDI to our regional, hospital-based violent injury database to identify out-of-hospital deaths from firearms. METHODS: We outline the key steps of our submission to the NDI. Data were collected from research team meeting notes, team member emails with NDI staff, and information provided from the NDI website and supplementary guides. Few of our collaborators or university partner investigators had accessed or used data from the NDI. We discuss the online NDI Processing Portal data request, data preparation and receipt from the NDI, troubleshooting tips, and a timeline of events. RESULTS: Our query to the NDI returned 12 034 records of 12 219 firearm-injured patient records from 2010 and 2019. The record match rate was 98.5%. DISCUSSION: Linking hospital-based data sets with NDI data can provide valuable information on out-of-hospital deaths. This has the potential to improve the quality of longitudinal morbidity and mortality calculations in hospital-based patient cohorts. We encountered logistic and administrative challenges in completing the online NDI Processing Portal and in preparing and receiving data from the NDI. It is our hope that the lessons learnt presented herein will help facilitate easy and streamlined acquisition of valuable NDI data for other clinical researchers. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS: - A step-by-step guide for clinical researchers of how to apply to access data from the National Death Index (NDI).- Advice and lessons learned on how to efficiently and effectively access data from the NDI.- A well-described methodology to improve the quality of longitudinal morbdity and mortality calculations in hospital-based cohorts of firearm injured patients.What is already known on this subject:- There is a need for robust, longitudinal data sources that reliably track morbidity and mortality among firearm injured patients in the United States.- The NDI is a well-established, comprehensive database that holds death records for all 50 states, which provides valuable mortality data to the public health and medical research community.

The Importance of Incorporating Lived Experience in Efforts to Reduce Australian Reincarceration Rates

It is widely acknowledged that ‘good policy’ should be informed by the people it most directly affects. However, learning from people with lived experiences in the criminal justice sector, such as people who have served time in prison, has received little attention. This article discusses the significance of and challenges related to capturing the voices of people who are currently serving time or have served time in prison. We argue that formalising the perspectives of these individuals into policymaking through co-design processes may be an important method for enhancing program responses to rising incarceration and reincarceration rates. *This is a corrected version of the original article published ‘Online First’ on February 17, 2021. Some text in the literature review was unintentionally missing attribution. The Correction Notice can be found at https://doi.org/10.5204/ijcjsd.1941

JUST a Misdemeanor: Seeking Justice in All Cases

[...]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.

Self-efficacy and Use of Digital Health Care and Social Welfare Services Among Incarcerated People: Cross-sectional Survey Study

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.

Healing addiction with EMDR therapy: A trauma-focused guide

Unhealed trauma causes distress in the body. When the nature of the distress overrides a person's existing system for coping, or the trauma is not processed, survivors may numb themselves or seek a more pleasurable experience to escape. Such behavior is a completely natural response to unprocessed trauma. This tendency we have as human beings to dissociate, or sever from the present moment when the moment becomes unpleasant or painful, is amplified for survivors when chemicals or other reinforcing behaviors are introduced. Such chemicals and behaviors can accelerate the potency of dissociation. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a complete system of psychotherapy that can facilitate this process. This innovative book offers an investigation into therapies which can assist therapists to assess trauma and how it impacts the mind-body. It provides a clear guide to therapists in changing the way healing addiction is imagined. The book continues to challenge the existing paradigms for treating addiction and related issues. Despite the longstanding existence of professional treatment in North America, recidivism is high. People are still dying at alarming rates, not just from the opioid crisis that dominates news headlines, but also from the impact of alcohol, cocaine, nicotine, and other maladaptive behaviors. Moreover, the social isolation and collective trauma caused by the COVID-19 pandemic added fuel to an already raging fire, revealing massive cracks in a system for care that is barely functional. In assessment, no single drug, substance, or behavior is the culprit the real issue is the untreated trauma that lurks underneath, causing people to seek out the relief of these substances in the first place. EMDR therapy is a complete psychotherapy that facilitates the shifts that are required in an individual to achieve meaningful lifestyle change. Recovery, healing, and wellness require lifestyle change. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Guest editorial: Complexity as a model for social innovation and social entrepreneurship: is there order in the chaos?

In grappling with this question, the interrelated social innovation and social entrepreneurship literatures shifted focus from localised problems to “systemic and structural issues” (Nicholls et al., 2015), from individual “heroic” entrepreneurs to self-organising actors within ecosystems (Moore and Westley, 2011) and from a deterministic theory of change approach to a dynamic and non-linear process of scaling, spreading and impact (Corner and Ho, 2010). Research traditions which have developed from von Bertalanffy’s General Systems Theory, Forrester’s System Dynamics, Cybernetics and the Santa Fe Institute’s Complex Adaptive Systems approach focus primarily on modelling, predicting and ultimately influencing the behaviour of complex systems. The social innovation field’s focus, particularly in a policy-related context, has moved from narrower and more procedural goals towards deeply entrenched systemic problems from climate change to social inequity – typified by the innovation-driving UN Sustainable Development Goals (Sachs et al., 2019). The focal points of many social innovation efforts – societal outcomes like obesity, educational attainment or criminal recidivism – are created by a constellation of factors from personal decision-making and individual psychology to broader economic, technological or cultural institutions (Finegood et al., 2010).

Quasi-Experimental Study Comparing CBT, MBCT, Activity-Based Supportive Counselling for Hongkong Delinquent Youth

Purpose: This study compared Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), and Activity-based Supportive Counselling (treatment-as-usual;TAU) for reducing delinquency, psychological risk factors, mental health symptoms, and improving the quality of life among at-risk youths in Hong Kong outreaching social services. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, non-custodial youths with delinquency and mental health issues underwent eight sessions of CBT (n = 24), MBCT (n = 30), or TAU (n = 61). Results: Dependent-sample t-test showed CBT reduced mental health symptoms and delinquency. TAU reduced mental health symptoms and improved quality of life. MBCT resulted in no significant change. Time x group ANCOVA underscored TAU in improving quality of life. Hierarchical linear regression showed decreases in delinquency and mental health symptoms mediated by decreases in psychological risk factors. Discussion: Results suggest that outreaching social service agencies in Hong Kong could enhance their intervention by augmenting the sports and leisure activities of TAU with structured CBT programs.

Influences on college student alcohol recidivists in recovery and their decision making: A narrative inquiry

High-risk college drinking behavior can result in student alcohol recidivism. The purpose of this narrative study was to understand the experiences of college student alcohol recidivists attending a 4-year, state-related university to gain an understanding of their experience and decision-making. The study aimed to identify variables that effect college student recidivists that serve as a launching point for further study of this population of students and how to support them. This study focused on four student alcohol recidivists in recovery from alcohol at the individual level to learn about their experience as recidivists and gain understanding into potential variables that influence recidivism and how to potentially intervene.This qualitative dissertation thematically analyzed the narrative of four college alcohol recidivists. Participants were consecutively sampled, meaning that I enrolled every participant who met inclusion criteria. Data were collected using a three-part in-depth interview protocol conducted in person and online due to COVID-19. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The Dual Systems Process Model (Shulman, et al., 2016) and Chickering and Reisser's (1993) theory of student development were used to frame the literature review and provide a conceptual framework for analysis.The study yielded six themes across all participants: Self, Emotion Management, Cognitive Control, Risky Behavior, Social Influence, and Repercussions. Analysis found that each participant has differing cognitive awareness prior to and after their numerous events that has informed their decision-making, a result of their cognitive control development over time. Additional research is needed to grasp how to identify and support students at risk of repeat alcohol incidents. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Is Computer-based Communication A Valuable Addition to Ifictirri-offentier Mecrliation? A Qualitative Exploration among Victims, Offenders and Mediators

Computer-based communication (CBC) has become an inevitable aspect of our communication infrastructure and a lasting alternative to face-to-face conversations. Yet, CBC (e.g. video conferencing) is not common practice for victim-offender mediation (VOM). Based on eighteen semi-structured interviews with adult victims, offenders and mediators, we provide a heuristic assessment of CBC applicability in VOM. Interviewees associated CBC with higher environmental safety compared to face-to-face mediation, and with richer emotional information compared to indirect VOM (e.g., letter exchange). Risks comprised technical and privacy concerns. Our findings provide insight into stakeholder perceptions of the usability of CBC-VOM and thus directions for effective employment.

Restorative Practice in the Criminal Justice System: Examining a Restorative Reasoning Programme in a Women’s Prison

This paper is an analysis of a six-week Restorative Reasoning Programme that took place with 13 women in a UK women’s prison. It is an exploratory evaluation based on an adapted version of the QUALIPREV scheme. This two-stage evaluation examines both the processes of the programme, in terms of how well it ran, as well as the outcomes of the programme, in terms of how effective it was in supporting the women to address problem behaviours. Data comprise interviews with the two programme designers and facilitators and with two Prison staff responsible for activities and training;the programme materials used during the scheme;session evaluation forms;and post-programme self-completion reflections from the women engaged in the programme. Overall, the scheme had a range of positive impacts for the women: many expressed a change in attitude, including being more open for discourse and discussion around the harm they may have caused, being more willing to consider the repair needed in their personal relationships, and in some cases seeking subsequent referrals for further restorative work.