Cheneal Puljević

A field evaluation of the Eye-Closure Interview with witnesses of serious crimes

Laboratory research shows that eye-closure during memory retrieval improves both the amount and the factual accuracy of memory reports about witnessed events. Based on these findings, we developed the Eye-Closure Interview, and examined its feasibility (in terms of compliance with the instructions) and effectiveness (in terms of the quantity and quality of reported information) in eyewitness interviews conducted by the South African Police Service. Police interviewers from the Facial Identification Unit were randomly assigned to receive Eye-Closure Interview training or no training. We analyzed 95 interviews with witnesses of serious crimes (including robbery, rape, and murder), some of whom were instructed to close their eyes during salient parts of the interview. Witnesses in the control condition rarely spontaneously closed their eyes, but witnesses in the Eye-Closure Interview condition kept their eyes closed during 97% of their descriptions, suggesting that the Eye-Closure Interview would be easy to implement in a field setting. Although witnesses who closed their eyes did not remember more information overall, the information they provided was considered to be of significantly greater forensic relevance (as reflected in 2 independent blind assessments, 1 by a senior police expert and 1 by a senior researcher). Thus, based on the findings from this field study and from previous laboratory research, we conclude that implementation of the Eye-Closure Interview in witness interviews would help police interviewers to elicit more valuable information from witnesses, which could be relevant to the police investigation and/or in court. (PsycINFO Database Record

Relapse to smoking following release from smoke-free correctional facilities in Queensland, Australia

BACKGROUND Smoke-free prison policies are increasingly common, but few studies have investigated relapse to smoking after release from prison. This study investigated return to tobacco smoking and correlates of smoking at reduced levels after release among adults recently released from smoke-free prisons in Queensland, Australia. METHODS A cross-sectional survey of 114 people at parole offices within two months of release from prison was used. The survey measured health, social, and criminological factors related to tobacco smoking. We used logistic regression to identify factors associated with reduced post-release smoking levels compared to pre-incarceration levels. RESULTS 94% of participants relapsed to smoking within two months of release; 72% relapsed on the day of release. 62% of participants smoked significantly less per day after compared with before incarceration. Living with a partner (Odds Ratio (OR) 2.77, 95%CI 1.02-7.52), expressing support for smoke-free prison policies (OR 2.44, 95%CI 1.12-5.32), intending to remain abstinent post-release (OR 4.29, 95%CI 1.88-9.82), and intending to quit in the future (OR 3.88, 95%CI 1.66-9.07) were associated with reduced smoking post-release. Use of illicit drugs post-release was negatively associated with reduced smoking post-release (OR 0.27, 95%CI 0.09-0.79). In multivariate analyses, pre-release intention to remain smoke-free was associated with reduced smoking post-release (AOR 2.69, 95%CI 1.01-7.14). DISCUSSION Relapse to smoking after release from smoke-free prisons is common, but many who relapse smoke less than before incarceration, suggesting that smoke-free prison policies may reduce post-release tobacco smoking. There is a need for tailored, evidence-based tobacco cessation interventions for people recently released from prison.

Use of prescribed smoking cessation pharmacotherapy following release from prison: a prospective data linkage study

Background A significant proportion of people who cycle through prisons express a desire to quit smoking, yet smoking rates in this population are two to four times higher than in the general community. Smoking cessation pharmacotherapy (SCP) is an important component of evidence-based cessation support, yet no studies have examined use of this pharmacotherapy after release from prison. Methods We linked data from a survey of 971 smokers who were within 8 weeks of release from prison in Queensland, Australia, with federal Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) records for the 2 years after release, to identify subsidised use of SCP (varenicline, bupropion and nicotine patches). We used Cox proportional hazards regression to identify independent predictors of SCP use. Findings According to PBS data, 86 participants (8.9%) accessed SCP in the 2 years following release from prison. Participants who were aged 25 years or older (HR 2.51, 95% CI 1.19 to 5.31), employed before prison (HR 1.93, 95% CI 1.14 to 3.28), highly nicotine dependent at baseline (HR 2.21, 95% CI 1.23 to 3.97) and using non-psychotropic medications in prison (HR 2.29, 95% CI 1.24 to 4.22) were more likely to use subsidised SCP during follow-up. Conclusion Despite a very high rate of tobacco use among people cycling through prisons and the very low cost of (subsidised) SCP in Australia, few ex-prisoners obtain pharmaceutical assistance with quitting smoking. Policy attention needs to focus on supporting former prisoners to access SCP, to reduce the high rate of tobacco-related morbidity and mortality in this profoundly marginalised population.

Substance abuse prevention in Cape Town's peri-urban settlements: local health trainers' perspectives

South Africa currently experiences high levels of alcohol and other drug (AOD) abuse. As a result there is a need for the initiation of regional AOD abuse prevention programmes with a specific focus on youth prevention strategies. The Medical Knowledge Institute (MKI) is a non-profit organisation which develops and facilitates health information workshops to members of disadvantaged peri-urban communities in South Africa. This research investigated the views of eight local MKI health trainers on factors contributing to AOD abuse in their communities. Although the expected focus of the discussion was on prevention strategies and effective interventions, the trainers placed more emphasis on the individual and community factors influencing AOD abuse. The themes which emerged through the research included: status, government, (di)stress, gender, recreation, consequences and community. This research holds significance as it has the potential to assist further development of community-based AOD prevention workshops and to guide public health policy and service development for AOD abuse.

No smoker left behind: it’s time to tackle tobacco in Australian priority populations

To the Editor: We read with interest the recent article by Bonevski and colleagues1 calling for targeting of tobacco cessation interventions to high‐risk populations, including prisoners. People who cycle through prisons in Australia smoke tobacco at a rate five times that of the general population,2 and suffer disproportionately from smoking‐related morbidity and mortality.3 However, the suggestion by Bonevski and colleagues1 that smoke‐free policies in prisons “impact on reducing smoking” is unfortunately a case of misplaced optimism: although these policies reduce smoking in prisons, they have almost no effect on long term smoking behaviour in people who cycle through prisons. Research in the United States shows that about 60% of people released from smoke‐free prisons resume smoking on the day of release,4 and 97% relapse within 6 months of release.5 Preliminary findings from a cross‐sectional survey we have conducted with 114 ex‐smokers released from smoke‐free prisons in Queensland paint a similar picture, with 72% of participants reporting relapse on the day of release.

Systematic Review of Factors Influencing Smoking Following Release From Smoke-Free Prisons

Introduction Given the current proliferation of prison smoke-free policies internationally, and the multiple benefits of continued smoking abstinence for correctional populations, improved understanding of factors influencing post-release smoking abstinence is required to inform support strategies aimed at individuals exiting smoke-free prisons. Methods We systematically searched health, social science, and criminal justice databases for studies relating to smoking behaviours among people released from smoke-free prisons. Studies were included if: they were published between 1 January 2000 and 26 July 2017; they were published in English; the population was people who were incarcerated or formerly incarcerated in prisons with total smoke-free policies; and the reported outcomes included measures of: i) pre-release intention to smoke or remain abstinent from smoking following release, ii) smoking relapse or abstinence following release, or iii) quit attempts following post-release smoking relapse. Both authors independently screened returned citations to assess eligibility and reviewed studies for methodological quality using the Effective Public Health Practice Projects Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies. Results Fifteen of 121 publications were included. The evidence base in this area is small, almost exclusively US-based, and is mostly methodologically weak. Interventions delivered both pre- and post-release, that strengthen intention to quit, integrate with other substance use treatment, and facilitate social support for quitting may help maintain post-release smoking abstinence. Conclusions There is an urgent need for high-quality research to inform interventions to reduce high smoking relapse rates upon release from smoke-free prisons, to extend the multiple benefits of continued smoking abstinence into the community. Implications Interventions designed to help people remain abstinent from tobacco following release from smoke-free prisons are an important opportunity to improve the health, finances and well-being of this vulnerable population.