Kerensa Pate

The Impact of Child Abuse on Dissociative Symptoms: A Study of Incarcerated Women

ABSTRACT One-hundred and ninety-two incarcerated women who were participating in a trauma and abuse psychoeducation program were evaluated for childhood abuse, maltreatment and current dissociative symptoms. The link between childhood abuse and adult criminal behavior has been well studied but the mental health status of adult female inmates and the possible implications for their treatment and behavior is the next step. The participants reported high levels of childhood abuse, 68% reported molestation, 72% rape, 26% emotional abuse, 51% physical abuse. Almost half of the participants reported a clinically significant level of dissociative symptoms. The dissociative group was found to have higher rates of sexual, emotional and physical abuse. They were younger and had shorter sentences. A logistic regression model was developed with only physical abuse being a predictor of clinically significant dissociative symptoms. Results are discussed in terms of how the high level of dissociative symptoms may impact future delinquency and corrections staff and possible future research.

An Assessment of the Development and Outcomes of Determinate Sentencing in Florida

The prior literature on determinate sentencing has been largely descriptive, critical, and without a comprehensive empirical focus regarding the development and consequences of this major justice reform. A common claim made in these prior studies is that determinate sentencing has resulted in our current prison overcrowding crises (i.e., Austin & Irwin, 2007). This paper responds to this empirical void through an assessment of Floridas efforts to implement determinate sentencing over the past 30 years. Included in the assessment is a study of the comparative effectiveness between indeterminate and determinate sentencing in terms of post-prison recidivism. The major findings are that Floridas incremental shift from indeterminate to determinate sentencing that culminated in the 85% time-served law passed in 1995 has not been as punitive as expected and has not been the primary reason for Floridas exponential increase in the prison population. Rather, the major increase in Floridas prison population is found to have been driven by the increase in felony convictions. Moreover, in a comparison of recidivism outcomes between indeterminate and determinate sentences, it is found that the 85% law has been associated with significant reductions in the likelihood of recidivism. While these findings are limited to Florida and, therefore, await further validation with other states and jurisdictions, it appears that some of the pessimistic conclusions in the literature on determinate sentencing could be premature.

A Trauma-Based Group Intervention for Incarcerated Girls

Girls are becoming involved in the juvenile justice system at a remarkable rate. As a result, the juvenile justice system must become more responsive to their physical, mental, and educational needs. Many of these girls have been victims of childhood emotional, sexual, or physical abuse resulting in serious mental health problems. This article describes a psycho-educational group intervention designed for adolescent girls involved in the juvenile justice system that have been affected by childhood abuse. The intervention takes place in a residential program for delinquent girls and is a voluntary group. The psycho-education format allows for the participants to gain information about what abuse is and what the impact of abuse can be on their thoughts and actions. The group format provides a supportive environment that promotes group curative factors and mutual aid.