Joanna R. Adler

The impact of prison staff responses on self‐harming behaviours: Prisoners’ perspectives

OBJECTIVES To further understanding of how health and correctional staff responses to self-harming behaviours influence prisoners and their subsequent actions. DESIGN Participant-centred, qualitative methods were used to explore the complex and under-researched perspectives of self-harming male prisoners. METHOD Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 adult male prisoners who had engaged in repetitive, non-suicidal self-harm during their current prison sentence, or considered doing so. The interviews were analyzed drawing on principles of thematic analysis and discourse analysis. RESULTS With some exceptions, prison officers, nurses, and doctors are portrayed by prisoners as being ill-prepared to deal with repetitive self-harm, often displaying actively hostile attitudes and behaviours. CONCLUSIONS These findings underscore the need for appropriate training, support and supervision for staff working with self-harming prisoners.

Gang activity in English prisons: the Staff perspective.

Abstract Gang behaviour has been associated with serious problems in American prisons (e.g., Fong and Buentello, 1991). This study explored the possible existence of indicators of gang activity in English prisons. Surveys of problems consistent with gang activity were completed by 374 prison staff in 16 prisons that were representative of the English Prison Estate. Results showed significant differences between categories of institution. The most gang-related activity was reported in male Medium security prisons and Young Offender Institutions. The lowest reported incidence was in both male Low and High security prisons. Female establishments demonstrated levels lower only than Medium security male prisons. Discussion focuses concern on the levels of gang activity apparently present in the Medium security English Prisons and suggests directions for further research.

Group‐work therapeutic engagement in a high secure hospital: male service user perspectives

Purpose – This paper aims to discuss a service user perspective of factors that influence engagement in therapeutic group‐work within a high secure hospital environment.Design/methodology/approach – An opportunistic sample of 11 male service users were interviewed, using a semi‐structured protocol. This was underpinned by social and psychological factors highlighted within the literature, and concepts drawn from the Health Belief Model (HBM). In accordance with service‐user led initiatives, interview questions were open‐ended, designed to invite and encourage exploration of themes through general discussion. Research findings were analysed through an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) approach to identify emergent themes of apparent influence. Themes were identified, and were categorised into emergent themes and related sub themes. Emergent themes were then considered in relation to the theories and concepts that underpinned and connected them.Findings – It was found that the most substantial ...

Supporting staff working with prisoners who self‐harm: A survey of support services for staff dealing with self‐harm in prisons in England and Wales

Research has consistently shown that staff working with people who self‐harm tend to experience a range of anxieties and negative emotions. Very little has been written on the particular issues and needs of staff in prisons, where rates of self‐harm are high. The current study gathered information about existing sources of support for staff dealing with prisoners who self‐harm, and identified positive practice examples. A postal survey was sent out to the Suicide Prevention Team Leaders from every HM Prison Service Establishment in England and Wales (139 in total). Fifty‐four surveys (38.8%) were completed and returned. Findings indicate that staff support services were reportedly in place in virtually all 54 establishments. However, the data suggest that even when present, provisions may not have adequately met the needs of staff working with prisoners who self‐harm, particularly when dealing with ‘repetitive’ self‐harming behaviours. These findings are discussed in relation to organizational health literature. Their practical and theoretical implications are considered, together with directions for further studies in this under‐researched area.

Interviewing women bereaved by homicide Reports of secondary victimization by the criminal justice system

Secondary victimization occurs when victims of crime feel they have been subjected to inadequate, insensitive or inappropriate treatment, attitudes, behaviour, responses and/or practices by criminal justice and social agencies, which compound their original trauma. In order to investigate how an under-researched group of victims of crime may be subjected to secondary victimization by the criminal justice system (CJS), which in this research refers to the police, the Coroner’s Service and the legal (or court) system, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 women who had been bereaved by homicide. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) identified instances of multiple secondary victimization from all systems considered. Recommendations for how to reduce the secondary victimization of ‘co-victims’ of homicide are made, including: improving communication and promoting understanding between co-victims and the CJS; statutory rights for co-victims; and participatory rights in the legal process, such as access to victims’ lawyers or auxiliary prosecutors.

Forensic psychology : concepts, debates and practice

This book brings together a team of authorities in the field of forensic psychology to demonstrate the scope of the discipline and the techniques employed in key areas of research, policy and practice. Its aim is to go beyond the introductory texts to challenge perceptions, to raise questions for research and to pose problems for practice: and to inspire and stimulate, demonstrating the ways in which forensic psychology can aid the practice of criminal justice.

Growing against gangs and violence (GAGV): findings from a process and outcome evaluation

Objective: The present study assesses program efficacy of Growing Against Gangs and Violence (GAGV), a primary prevention partnership with the U.K. Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), delivered in London schools with the aim of reducing gang involvement, delinquency, and violent offending and improving young people’s confidence in police. GAGV is partially derived from an American program, Gangs Resistance Education and Training (GREAT). Method: A qualitative process evaluation and randomized control trial (RCT) outcomes study were undertaken. Results: Findings indicate GAGV personnel were keen to enhance program fidelity and process implementation. The RCT did not demonstrate a statistically significant program effect. However, effect sizes (ESs) indicate the program was effective in reducing levels of gang membership and the frequency and variety of delinquency and violence in the short- and longer term. More robust evidence indicated GAGV also improved students’ attitudes toward police and reduced their adherence toward street code. Conclusions: The use of cohort- (not individual-) level data and missing data in the 1-year follow-up make it difficult to draw reliable and robust conclusions. However, results are encouraging. Several recommendations are suggested for GAGV, including curriculum design, regular evaluations, and expanding to include more schools. Limitations of this and similar evaluations also are discussed.

Interviewing women bereaved by homicide: assessing the impact of trauma-focused research

There have been few empirical studies that assess the impact of participation in trauma-focused research. To contribute to growing knowledge in this area, this study assessed the effects of research participation among 14 women who had been bereaved by homicide. An adapted version of the Response to Research Participation Questionnaire (RRPQ) was implemented as part of a wider study exploring secondary victimization by criminal justice systems; at the end of a qualitative interview, participants were asked three questions designed to assess benefits, harms and regrets associated with participation. All participants gained something positive from participation; half experienced upset; but none regretted participation. Suggestions are made for how researchers can minimize harm and maximize benefit to vulnerable research participants.

The prevalence and nature of sexual harassment and assault against women and girls on public transport: an international review

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to report on the findings from a study commissioned by the British Transport Police and the Department for Transport for England and Wales concerning sexual offences and harassment on public transport worldwide. Specifically, it aims to explore the prevalence of such behaviours, through a review of existing survey and interview data regarding women and girls’ experiences. Design/methodology/approach A rapid evidence assessment (REA) was used, the function of which is to: search the literature as comprehensively as possible within given time constraints; collate descriptive outlines of the available evidence on a topic and critically appraise it; sift out studies of poor quality; and provide an overview of the evidence. Findings It was found that prevalence rates range from 15 to 95 per cent, with the UK having the lowest rates. Emerging economies had higher rates of harassment and assault, which may relate to differing cultural and gender norms, where public space is regarded as a male domain. Research limitations/implications A REA is not a full systematic review, differing in the scope and depth of the searches and depending almost exclusively on electronic databases, not accompanied by searching journals by hand. Practical implications More research of high methodological rigour needs to be carried out on prevalence rates of sexual harassment and offending on public transport worldwide. The high prevalence rates found suggest the need for more work around the area of interventions to curtail offending in this setting. The findings suggest that emerging economies, in particular, need to do more to address the problem of sexual harassment and assault on public transport. More fundamentally, cultural norms around women’s roles in society need to be addressed and challenged. Originality/value Women may become “transit captive” and socially excluded if they are afraid to travel on public transport and do not have access to private transport. This would be an unacceptable situation which must be addressed by transport authorities and police.

A Study into Breaches of Youth Justice Orders and the Young People Who Breach Them

This study concerns the incidence and aetiology of breach of youth community sentences. A between-groups archival study compared those who breached with those who did not, on socio-demographic and criminogenic factors. Breachers were a minority, likely to breach repeatedly and were similar to those who re-offended. Whether they breach or re-offend may depend on something other than the characteristics of the Order and the young person’s situation. Youth Justice Professionals should be mindful of the identified areas of need and responsivity when considering compliance.