Examining body mass index and health-related fitness marker progression of incarcerated minority youth engaged in a sport-leadership program.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a sport-leadership program on minority incarcerated young adults' health-related fitness markers. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: This study occurred at an all-male juvenile detention center. A total of 41 participants in this study were obtained from a sample of 103 incarcerated young adults. Data collection entailed body mass index (BMI) evaluation, cardiovascular endurance tests and 1-min pushups and situps at two different time periods (before and after three months). A 2 × 2 mixed factorial analysis of variances was used to test for differences among the within subjects' factors (time [pre × post]) and between subjects' factors (groups [flex × control]) for the above-mentioned dependent variables. FINDINGS: Over the course of three consecutive months of engagement, preliminary indications demonstrated participants had a slight reduction in BMI and significant increases in cardiovascular endurance and muscle strength. Contrarily, during this same time period, non-participating young adults exhibited significant increases in BMI and decreases in cardiovascular endurance and muscle strength. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: Integration of sport-leadership programs is generally not free but can be a low-cost alternative for combatting many issues surrounding physical activity, weight gain and recreational time for those incarcerated.

Comparison of risk of recidivism among sexual offenders with and without sexual preference disorders using the STATIC-99R instrument.

Purpose: The STATIC-99 instrument is one of the tools used for the assessment of the risk of recidivism, in line with the actuarial approach. One of the risk factors indicated by the scientific literature as having the greatest significance is sexual preference disorder. The aim of the study was to verify whether sexual offenders diagnosed with sexual preference disorders have a higher risk of recidivism. The study also aimed to present, for the first time in Poland, a quantitative scoring of individual risk factors in STATIC-99R and their prevalence, allowing for the verification of the theoretical validity of the STATIC-99R instrument in the analysis of the population of sexual offenders in Poland. Methods: The study material consisted of 100 court and penitentiary files of perpetrators of crimes against sexual freedom from 11 Polish penal institutions and remand centers. We used the STATIC-99R to evaluate each case. Results: The distribution of the individual STATIC-99R risk factors in the population of the Polish sexual offenders is presented. The diagnosis of sexual preference disorders had no influence on the total STATIC-99R score but was associated with its individual factors. Conclusions: It can be concluded that the theoretical validity of the STATIC-99R tool is also relevant to the Polish study population and may be used in clinical practice.

Network analysis of trait aggression among community youths and juvenile offenders.

OBJECTIVE: The mainstream view in trait aggression research has regarded the structure as representing the latent cause of the cognitions, emotions, and behaviors that supposedly reflect its nature. Under network perspective, trait aggression is not a latent cause of its features but a dynamic system of interacting elements. The current study uses network theory to explain the structure of relationships between trait aggression features in juvenile offenders and their peers. METHODS: Network analysis was applied to investigate the dynamic system of trait aggression operationalized by the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire in a sample of community youths (Mage = 17.46, N = 715) and juvenile offenders (Mage = 18.36, N = 834). RESULTS: The facet level networks showed that anger is a particularly effective mechanism for activating all other traits. In addition, anger was more strongly associated with physical aggression and the overall network strength was greater in juvenile delinquency networks than in their peers. The item level networks revealed that A4 and A6 exhibited the highest predictability and strength centrality in both samples. Also, the Bayesian network indicated that these two items were positioned at the highest level in the model. There are similarities and differences between juvenile delinquents and community adolescents in trait aggression. CONCLUSION: Trait aggression was primarily activated by difficulty controlling one's temper and feeling like a powder keg.

Contact sex offenders with adult and minor victims: Psychopathological and criminological differences.

BACKGROUND: Effective classification of individuals who commit sexual offences is important for their assessment, treatment, and risk management. Victim age has often been used as a distinguishing factor between perpetrators. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyse the distinctive psychopathological and criminological characteristics of contact sexual offenders with adult and minor victims. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: The study involved 97 adult males who were serving a prison sentence in Spain for at least one contact sexual offence against an adult or a minor. METHODS: Researchers gathered data on criminological variables concerning the offender, victim, and modus operandi from prison records and interviews. Participants completed the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III (MCMI-III) in a second session, and between-group differences were analysed. RESULTS: Sex offenders with minor victims (SOMV) had significantly lower scores than sex offenders with adult victims (SOAV) on the Antisocial (r = -0.283, p = .005) and Sadistic (r = -0.209, p = .04) personality subscales, and on the Alcohol (r = -0.426, p < .001) and Drug dependence (r = -0.332, p = .001) syndrome subscales. SOAV were also more likely to use violence and/or intimidation, use a weapon, offend against female victims, offend against an intimate partner, commit their offences in public places, serve other ongoing prison sentences, and report a history of alcohol and substance abuse. SOMV were older and more likely to offend against family members. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that there are key differences between SOAV and SOMV that should be considered in tailored prevention programmes for each subgroup of offenders.

What if Marquis de Sade Was a Woman? New Evidence of Sex Differences in Behavioral Manifestation of Sadism.

This study aims to explore the behavioral manifestation of sadism in females involved in sexual crimes. The sample includes 24 female sex offenders for which sadism was assessed with the SeSaS. To conduct a gender-based comparison analysis, we conducted a random selection of 100 sadistic male offenders. Bivariate comparisons and multidimensional scaling analysis were used to determine whether behavioral manifestation and dimensions of sadism are different in female sex offenders. Results showed that sadism in women manifests itself differently from male offenders and practical implications are discussed.

Prefrontal tDCS modulates risk-taking in male violent offenders.

Detrimental decision-making is a major problem among violent offenders. Non-invasive brain stimulation offers a promising method to directly influence decision-making and has already been shown to modulate risk-taking in non-violent controls. We hypothesize that anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex beneficially modulates the neural and behavioral correlates of risk-taking in a sample of violent offenders. We expect offenders to show more risky decision-making than non-violent controls and that prefrontal tDCS will induce stronger changes in the offender group. In the current study, 22 male violent offenders and 24 male non-violent controls took part in a randomized double-blind sham-controlled cross-over study applying tDCS over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Subsequently, participants performed the Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART) during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Violent offenders showed significantly less optimal decision-making compared to non-violent controls. Active tDCS increased prefrontal activity and improved decision-making only in violent offenders but not in the control group. Also, in offenders only, prefrontal tDCS influenced functional connectivity between the stimulated area and other brain regions such as the thalamus. These results suggest baseline dependent effects of tDCS and pave the way for treatment options of disadvantageous decision-making behavior in this population.

The construct validity of attitudes toward sex offenders (ATS) scale: ATS is more strongly linked to the acceptance of sex offenders than other offenders or non-offenders.

Negative attitudes toward offenders may hinder the rehabilitation process. The present study examines the relationship between attitudes toward sex offenders and stated acceptance of offenders and non-offenders into various aspects of daily life. Sixty female members of the public (18-50 years old, UK residents, recruited by word of mouth and via social media) completed an attitudes towards sex offenders (ATS) scale and indicated for each of eight vignettes describing ex-offenders and non-offenders whether they would accept them in various situations (housing, employment, day-to-day activities). Results indicate that in this group of female participants, harsher attitudes toward sex offenders are associated with lower acceptance of sex offenders (around 50% less acceptance) and other offenders (around 25% less acceptance), but not non-offenders, suggesting a tight coupling between attitudes and acceptance. The observed coupling between attitudes toward sex offenders and acceptance of offenders suggests that it will be difficult to change one without changing the other.

Comparing child and adult sexual homicides in Australia and New Zealand: A retrospective study.

The present study examined distinctions between child (n = 30) and adult (n = 212) sexual homicide offenders (SHOs) in Australia and New Zealand, contributing to the limited international research on the subject. Data, primarily sourced from judges' sentencing comments on AustLII and New Zealand Legal Information Institute, revealed significant differences. Child SHOs displayed elevated rates of pedophilia, sexual deviance, and adverse childhood experiences, including sexual abuse. They were more likely to be married, cohabitate, and target familial victims. Their crimes were more often committed during daylight and outdoors, involving tactics such as victim conning, restraints, strangulation, and hiding victim's bodies. No significant group differences emerged regarding offenders' psychopathy or sexual sadism scores. Results were interpreted in line with child SHOs' deviant sexual preferences and the routine activity theory. The study, as the first investigating child sexual homicides in Australia and New Zealand, sets the foundation for an evidence-based approach to policy and practice.

Criminal Justice and People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are overrepresented in the criminal justice system both as victims/survivors and as offenders. The needs and circumstances of individuals from underserved communities have received scant attention in the literature. Stakeholders met online at the 2022 State of the Science Conference on Community Living to discuss criminal justice and to identify goals for research involving people with IDD. The group focused more on victimization and less on offenders. Victimization issues examined included prevalence, people from underserved communities, sexual victimization, consequences of victimization, victim compensation, prevention, and risk reduction. Issues regarding offenders included prevalence, people from underserved communities, and competency to stand trial. Future directions are proposed for research on victimization and on offenders.

A Qualitative Systematic Review of the Barriers and Facilitators of the Reintegration of Men Convicted of a Sexual Offense From Prison or Secure Care into the Community.

This article is the first qualitative systematic review of studies examining the barriers and facilitators to male sex offenders reintegration from prison or secure care into the community. A search of 16 electronic databases produced 14,218 potential sources, which, after screening, resulted in 79 articles for inclusion. Papers were included if they used qualitative research methods about the barriers, facilitators, perceptions, experiences, and attitudes toward community reintegration from prison or secure care for men convicted of sexual offenses. Included papers were critically appraised and the findings were thematically synthesized. The findings identified that formal and cultural aspects of reintegration, such as probation services, stigmatization, and registration, were the three largest barriers that men faced upon their release, with stability aspects, such as positive relationships, religion, and support groups, being key facilitators to their successful reintegration. The implications for future research, and policy and practice, including prioritizing risk assessment and management, offering appropriate and timely treatment and rehabilitation, educating the community, better access to housing and employment, and services adopting a collaborative approach, are discussed.

Characteristics of domestic violence perpetrators with dementia from police records using text mining.

Aim: Few studies have examined the characteristics of domestic violence (DV) committed by people with dementia. We provide an overview of DV perpetrated by people with dementia in the community based on police reports of attendances at DV events. Method: A text mining method was used on 416,441 New South Wales (NSW) police narratives of DV events from January 2005 to December 2016 to extract information for Persons of Interest (POIs) with mentions of dementia. Results: Events involving those with dementia accounted for a relatively low proportion of total DV events (<1%). Of the 260 DV events with a dementia mention for the POI, the most common abuse types were assault (49.7%) and verbal abuse (31.6%). Spouses were the largest group of victims (50.8%) followed by children (8.8%). Physical abuse was common, occurring in 82.4% of events, but injuries were relatively mild. Although weapons were infrequently used, they were involved in 5% of events, mostly by POIs aged 75 years and older. Similarly, the POIs were mainly aged 75+ years (60%), however the proportion of those aged <65 was relatively high (20.8%) compared to the reported prevalence of dementia in that age group. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that some cases of DV perpetrated by people with reported dementia are significant enough to warrant police involvement. This highlights the need to proactively discuss the potential for violence as part of the holistic management and support family members, particularly those caring for people with young-onset dementias.

Examining the impact of a group treatment using cognitive and social cognition remediation for young offenders: The justice health NSW school-link advantage pilot study.

AIM: Young offenders experience higher rates of neurodevelopmental and mental health disorders than the general population, and significant access barriers to health treatment. Treatment combining Cognitive Remediation Therapy (CRT) and Social Cognition Remediation Therapy (SCRT) has demonstrated benefits for functional improvements and social development. However, there is limited information regarding group treatment programs in custodial settings for young offenders. This pilot study explores the effectiveness and feasibility of a group treatment program for youth offenders with cognitive deficits and mental health concerns in youth detention. METHODS: The School-Link Advantage pilot study designed and tested a 10-week group treatment program combining CRT and SCRT for young offenders in custody. The closed groups incorporated interactive activities focussed on emotional recognition and regulation skills, optimizing executive functioning, understanding values, exploring belief systems, improving relationships, and safety planning. RESULTS: Of the 22 male participants recruited in an Australian Youth Justice Centre, 12 completed all aspects of the treatment program, reflecting a 54.5% completion rate in a typically challenging to engage population cohort. Results demonstrated significant improvements in the ability to store and retrieve information, recognize information, and control emotions. Planning and organizing skills also showed considerable development. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study suggests that a combined CRT and SCRT group treatment program has the potential to effectively target cognitive challenges associated with mental health disorders in young offenders in custody. These promising outcomes suggest exploring randomized controlled trials with increased cultural sensitivity for diverse populations.

Introduction to Special Section: CSA Victimization in Incarcerated Populations.

Research suggests that individuals involved in the criminal justice system have higher rates of childhood trauma, including experiences of child sexual abuse (CSA). Studies also suggest that childhood victimization has an impact on the success of mental health treatment for offenders which may contribute to recidivism rates. Accordingly, policymakers and correctional staff can be better informed in choosing appropriate assessments and intervention approaches when they understand the ways in which prior experiences of CSA impact individuals in correctional settings. This special section highlights four novel studies that advance the research examining CSA in incarcerated populations.

Childhood maltreatment, shame, and self-esteem: an exploratory analysis of influencing factors on criminal behavior in juvenile female offenders.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the relationships between childhood maltreatment, shame, and self-esteem among juvenile female offenders and to explore the potential influencing factors on their criminal behavior. METHODS: Using a stratified cluster sampling method, 1,227 juvenile female offenders from 11 provinces in China were surveyed using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), Self-Esteem Scale (SES), and a self-developed Shame Questionnaire for Juvenile Offenders. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, chi-square tests, t-tests, and structural equation modeling with mediation analysis. RESULTS: (1) Childhood maltreatment have a significant potential influencing factors on criminal behavior; (2) Childhood maltreatment was positively correlated with self-esteem(ß = 0.351, p < 0.001); (3) shame (ß = 0.042, p < 0.001) mediate the relationship between Childhood maltreatment and self-esteem (childhood maltreatment → shame → self-esteem (95% Cl: 0.033, 0.052)). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that childhood maltreatment is a significant predictor of criminal behavior among juvenile female offenders. childhood maltreatment can directly influence of self-esteem, which can also affect juvenile female offenders'self-esteem indirectly through shame. The findings suggest that shame are important variables that mediate the effect of the juvenile female offenders'childhood maltreatment on their self-esteem.

Impact of social factors responsible for Juvenile delinquency - A literature review.

BACKGROUND: Juvenile delinquency appears to be the most widespread social issue in comparison to other social issues. Social factors and conditions have a significant impact on the prevalence of delinquency. Individuals who engage in criminal behavior before reaching the age of 18 are commonly referred to as juvenile offenders. The aim of this study is to comprehensively elucidate the research and work carried out on juvenile offenders, with a specific focus on the critical role played by social factors in all facets of juvenile delinquency. Additionally, this research seeks to investigate the social roots and influences that contribute to the criminal behavior of young offenders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This article uses a literature review methodology to analyze research on social factors influencing juvenile delinquency. It synthesizes and evaluates prior findings to understand the complex interplay between social factors and young individuals' involvement in delinquent behaviors. The study analyzed 80 articles from reputable online databases, focusing on juvenile delinquency, offenders, crime, and social factors. Out of the 80 articles, 53 were cited, meeting inclusion criteria, including publication within 2000-2023, rigorous peer-review, and reputable database indexing. RESULTS: As per the findings of the research, it has been observed that children who grow up in households that exhibit affection, hospitality, and encouragement are comparatively less susceptible to the manifestation of societal maladies. Children who have experienced parental abandonment are at heightened risk of developing delinquent behaviors. CONCLUSION: The presence of negative family dynamics and associations with delinquent peers are widely recognized as significant contributors to the development of drug abuse behavior. It is imperative for policymakers and preventive initiatives to have a comprehensive understanding of this complex relationship. Therefore, this literature review presented a distinct overview of the influence of social factors on juvenile offenders in India.

Características de la población femenina carcelaria: un caso de la región Caribe de Colombia / Characteristics of the female prison population: a case from the Caribbean region of Colombia / Características da população carcerária feminina: um caso da região caribenha da Colômbia

El objetivo del presente trabajo fue describir las características de las mujeres privadas de libertad (MPL) de un centro de detención carcelario de la región Caribe de Colombia, a partir de un método cuantitativo, descriptivo, transversal, mediante el uso de unidades de análisis documental de una muestra de 202 archivos psicojurídicos de mujeres privadas de libertad, durante los años 2021 y 2022. En estos archivos se encuentran 25 variables divididas en tres grupos. Primer grupo: características sociodemográficas de la población; segundo grupo: datos históricos, relativos a antecedentes familiares y de salud mental; tercer grupo: aspectos relacionados con la conducta delictiva. De acuerdo con los resultados encontrados, la mayor parte de la población son madres, con escaso acceso a oportunidades laborales, bajo nivel de escolaridad, con precarios ingresos económicos, antecedentes de victimización psicológica, sexual o física, exposición a violencia indirecta, antecedentes de abandono y, en algunos casos, se identificó la presencia de diagnósticos en salud mental, consumo de sustancias, comorbilidad y experiencias traumáticas durante su infancia y adolescencia y la prisionalización de padres o familiares. Estos resultados permiten reconocer la importancia de los aspectos históricos y los antecedentes de la conducta delictiva femenina, lo cual resulta fundamental en la prevención de la criminalidad, haciendo frente a los factores de riesgo previos a la conducta delictiva femenina; igualmente, la relevancia del fortalecimiento de un modelo carcelario de cara a las características y necesidades de la población femenina, una política criminal y un sistema penitenciario de género sensitivo, así como la incorporación de los resultados encontrados en el tratamiento carcelario, en la resocialización y en la prevención del fenómeno criminal.

The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of women deprived of liberty (MPL) in a prison detention centre in the Caribbean region of Colombia, based on a quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional method, using units of documentary analysis of a sample of 202 psycho-legal files of women deprived of liberty, during the years 2021 and 2022. These files contain 25 variables divided into three groups. First group: socio-demographic characteristics of the population; second group: historical data, relating to family history and mental health; third group: aspects related to criminal behaviour. According to the results found, most of the population are mothers, with little access to job opportunities, low level of schooling, precarious economic income, history of psychological, sexual or physical victimisation, exposure to indirect violence, history of abandonment and, in some cases, the presence of mental health diagnoses, substance use, comorbidity and traumatic experiences during childhood and adolescence and the imprisonment of parents or relatives were identified. These results allow us to recognise the importance of the historical aspects and background of female criminal behaviour, which is fundamental in the prevention of criminality, addressing the risk factors prior to female criminal behaviour; also, the relevance of strengthening a prison model that takes into account the characteristics and needs of the female population, a criminal policy and a gender-sensitive penitentiary system, as well as the incorporation of the results found in prison treatment, in re-socialisation and in the prevention of the criminal phenomenon

O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever as características das mulheres privadas de liberdade (MPL) em um centro de detenção prisional na região caribenha da Colômbia, com base em um método quantitativo, descritivo e transversal, usando unidades de análise documental de uma amostra de 202 arquivos psicolegais de mulheres privadas de liberdade, durante os anos de 2021 e 2022. Esses arquivos contêm 25 variáveis divididas em três grupos. Primeiro grupo: características sociodemográficas da população; segundo grupo: dados históricos, relativos à história familiar e à saúde mental; terceiro grupo: aspectos relacionados ao comportamento criminal. De acordo com os resultadosencontrados, a maior parte da população é composta por mães, com pouco acesso a oportunidades de trabalho, baixo nível de escolaridade, renda econômica precária, histórico de vitimização psicológica, sexual ou física, exposição à violência indireta, histórico de abandono e, em alguns casos, foi identificada a presença de diagnósticos de saúde mental, uso de substâncias, comorbidade e experiências traumáticas durante a infância e a adolescência e o encarceramento dos pais ou parentes. Esses resultados permitem reconhecer a importância dos aspectos históricos e dos antecedentes do comportamento criminoso feminino, o que é fundamental na prevenção da criminalidade, abordando os fatores de risco anteriores ao comportamento criminoso feminino; também, a relevância do fortalecimento de um modelo prisional diante das características e necessidades da população feminina, de uma política criminal e de um sistema prisional sensível ao gênero, bem como a incorporação dos resultados encontrados no tratamento prisional, na ressocialização e na prevenção do fenômeno criminal.

Understanding the dark side of personality in sex offenders considering the level of sexual violence.

This study examined the relationship between the actual level of physical violence in sexual offenses and dark triad, empathic and impulsive personality traits of their perpetrators. Sixty-four male perpetrators of sexual offenses without any serious mental illness were included. A 5-point Likert-type coding system based on Violence Profile for Current Offense was applied to assess the severity of physical violence of each sexual offense. Personality traits of dark triad (psychopathy, Machiavellianism, narcissism), trait empathy and impulsiveness were also evaluated. Multivariate analyses indicated that non-stranger victim, secondary psychopathy, narcissism and empathy could significantly predict greater involvement of physical violence in a sexual offense. In addition, empathy was negatively correlated with all dark triad traits. Sexual violence should be conceptualized in the form of a continuum, and, considering such an approach, offenders with high secondary psychopathy and narcissism may show preference for sexual assaults that are more violent in nature.

Make Way for Tomorrow: The Effects of Prison on the Older Inmate.

Although the majority of incarcerated individuals are younger, there is a growing population of aging adults within the prison setting. It has been recognized that most correctional facilities are not built to house older adults, which has led to constraints and challenges being placed on this population. Understanding how best to respond to older adults in correctional facilities has gained popularity among researchers and politicians. Humblet's book The Older Prisoner (2021) explores the effects prison life has on the aging generation. This book examines the concept of age and the benefits and challenges older adults in the prison setting face. Findings from his book can be used as foundational support for future research or informing prison policy.

A pilot study regarding the feasibility and efficacy of an outpatient treatment program for young adult high-risk offenders (YAHOP).

This pilot study examines whether the Young Adult Habitual Offender Program (YAHOP), an intensive and outpatient program, is related to a reduction in the general risk of recidivism, common forensic symptomology as well as cognitive distortions. The program integrity (PI) was assessed, with the intent to explore the relationship between the level of PI and any changes in several outcome variables. Additionally, the study examines whether participants with a migration background benefitted equally from YAHOP compared to participants with a native Dutch background. The sample comprised n = 90 high-risk young adult offenders. Results show a decrease in general risk of recidivism. The dynamic risk factors delinquent social network, insufficient impulse control, and dysfunctional problem-solving skills also show a decrease, as well as the forensic symptoms of aggression and anger. Effect sizes are small, except for anger, which has a medium effect size. We found no change in cognitive distortions and problematic substance use. YAHOP shows to be responsive and culturally sensitive, as the participants with a migration background show a significant decrease in general risk of recidivism. No moderator analysis was conducted due to an overall low level of program integrity. After improving program integrity, full-scale quantitative research is needed as YAHOP has the potential as a promising desistance program for high-risk offenders, as in this study the 56 non-completers were also included.