We've compiled top highlights from recent research, policy, and practice resources across the world for our latest IACFP International News summary. Our topics for May and June, 2023 include recent research; policy updates; considerations for practice; and upcoming conferences. 1. Research Recovering Identity—Criminalized Women’s Fight for Dignity and Freedom Cesraéa Rumpf is the author of this book that captures the journey of formerly incarcerated women from their identities as criminals and addicts to rehabilitated and positively contributing to their families and communities. It chronicles their stories and analyzes the aspects of the criminal justice system that … [Read more...] about IACFP International News, Research, and Resources for May/Jun 2023
Research Summary: How Accessibility to Behavioral Healthcare Services Influences Incarceration Rates
A recent study published in BMC Health Services Research examines how access to community-based behavioral healthcare services influences the per capita jail population. Here, we summarize the background, purpose, design, and findings of the research. The full, original article, entitled "The relationship between community public health, behavioral health service accessibility, and mass incarceration," is available here. Background Of the 10.3 million people incarcerated in U.S. jails in 2019, 45% reported a history of mental health issues. Those held in jails have been shown to meet the criteria for "serious psychological distress" at levels five times higher than the general … [Read more...] about Research Summary: How Accessibility to Behavioral Healthcare Services Influences Incarceration Rates
Rights of Prisoners: Differentiated Approaches to Persons Deprived of Liberty
On October 10, 2022, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights published its Advisory Opinion No. 29. The decision, adopted at the request of the IACHR, develops the need to adopt differential approaches in prison to guarantee the rights of prisoners in the following groups: (a) pregnant, childbirth, postpartum, and lactation women; (b) children living in prison with their mothers or primary caregivers; (c) LGBT groups; (d) indigenous people; and (e) older adults. The process of elaboration of the Advisory Opinion had an enormous number of contributions, which is demonstrative of its relevance. The Court itself, in exercise of its contentious jurisdiction, decided in the past numerous cases … [Read more...] about Rights of Prisoners: Differentiated Approaches to Persons Deprived of Liberty
Research Summary: Need for Probation Staff Training on Mental Health Disorders
A recent study funded by the Confederation of European Probation (CEP) features research by Professor Charlie Brooker, University of London, and Professor Karen Tocque, University of Chester, examining the knowledge about and attitudes toward mental health disorders among probation staff in Europe. Here, we summarize the research purpose, design, and findings. The full, original article, entitled "The European survey of probation staff’s knowledge of, and attitudes to, mental illness," is available through CEP. Background for the Study Mental health disorders are much more prevalent among those within the probation system in comparison to the general population, affecting … [Read more...] about Research Summary: Need for Probation Staff Training on Mental Health Disorders
IACFP International News, Research, and Resources for Mar/Apr 2023
We've compiled top highlights from recent research, policy, and practice resources across the world for our latest IACFP International News summary. Our topics for March and April, 2023 include IACFP updates; member access to SAGE Journals; recent research, policy, and practice; and upcoming conferences. 1. IACFP Updates IACFP Student Research Award Applications Now AvailableIACFP Student Members are eligible to apply for the IACFP Student Research Award. The IACFP Board has approved up to two $2500 USD research awards for calendar year 2023. Research Award Applications are available here.Applications for the research awards will be independently evaluated by a 3-member board … [Read more...] about IACFP International News, Research, and Resources for Mar/Apr 2023
IACFP Announces Completion of Report on Mental Health in Community Corrections
In 2019, the IACFP Board began to focus on community corrections as one of its priorities. Their goal was to advance research and support for effective mental health service delivery systems in community corrections worldwide. The first phase of this work was to conduct a literature review and to scan research and practice. The board then utilized their networks to reach out to jurisdictions around the world to build a diverse scope from which to examine and learn. The details of the scope of phase one were summarized in the April 2021 IACFP Bulletin. The results of the first phase can be found in the document, “Mental Health and Community Corrections: International Perspectives.” The … [Read more...] about IACFP Announces Completion of Report on Mental Health in Community Corrections
Research Summary: Norwegian Correctional Service Dynamic Security Model of Correctional Supervision
A new article in Criminal Justice and Behavior focuses on the use of a dynamic security model, which has grown in interest and application worldwide. For the article, researchers focused on the use of the dynamic security model in the Norwegian Correctional Service (NCS) and the perspective of incarcerated individuals on whether or not it has been effective in creating a rehabilitative environment. Here, we summarize the purpose, design, and results of the study, as well as recommendations for future research. What Is Dynamic Security? Dynamic security focuses on training correctional officers to use relationship building and open communication with incarcerated individuals to … [Read more...] about Research Summary: Norwegian Correctional Service Dynamic Security Model of Correctional Supervision
Benefits of Virtual Reality Training in Criminal Justice: A New Framework
As explored previously in the IACFP Bulletin, virtual reality (or VR) has proven a beneficial tool for use in correctional settings, particularly for incarcerated individuals. A recent article by researchers in Germany, published in Criminal Justice and Behavior, Volume 2, Issue 50, offered a new application for VR: virtual reality training in criminal justice settings for personnel. Here, we provide a summary of their analysis on the potential areas and applications for an open-source training VR framework under development. VR as Training Tool "The ability to create immersive virtual environments is a valuable addition to common psychological and psychiatric research methods, … [Read more...] about Benefits of Virtual Reality Training in Criminal Justice: A New Framework
IACFP International News, Research, and Resources for Jan/Feb 2023
We've compiled top highlights from recent research, policy, and practice resources across the world for our latest IACFP International News summary. Our topics for January and February, 2023 include IACFP updates, recent research, emerging practices, and upcoming conferences. 1. IACFP Update The IACFP Board met on 17 January 2023. At that time, they adopted a budget for 2023 that supports the priorities noted in the last issue of the IACFP Bulletin. Those areas of strategic focus are: International Strategy Professional Education and Support Community Corrections Funding for projects includes some financial support for the 2nd in-person … [Read more...] about IACFP International News, Research, and Resources for Jan/Feb 2023
Life After State Punishment: A Conversation with IACFP Distinguished Scholars on the Criminal Justice System
During the most recent IACFP board meeting, there was discussion on how exciting it would be to bring together past IACFP Distinguished Scholars to discuss criminal justice reform on a video platform. The opportunity was not possible due to scheduling challenges; however, Fergus McNeill shared a video with us that discussed the issues of community integration for individuals who have experienced the criminal justice system. This discussion involved three IACFP Distinguished Scholars: Reuben Miller, Shadd Maruna, and Fergus McNeill, as well as Marguerite Schinkel, Senior Lecturer, University of Glasgow. This article summarizes the video. Punishment and Reintegration The panel first … [Read more...] about Life After State Punishment: A Conversation with IACFP Distinguished Scholars on the Criminal Justice System
IACFP Board in Action: Back In Person After Three Years
Front Row (left to right): Frank Porporino, Melvin Hinton, Diane Williams, Dick Althouse Back Row (left to right): Jim DeGroot, Jeffrey Metzner, Emma Regan, Gabriel Ong, Matt Epperson The IACFP Board held its first in-person meeting in nearly three years in November 2022. In addition to conducting the business of the Association, the Board spent significant time on developing their strategic focus for the future and tactical and operational plans. The board has identified three areas for strategic focus: International Strategy Professional Education and Support Community Corrections The international strategy is proposed to have five areas of focus: 1) geographic … [Read more...] about IACFP Board in Action: Back In Person After Three Years
Criminal Justice Reform: Netherlands Using New Approach to Sentencing Adolescents and Young Adults
A recent article in Youth Justice highlights criminal justice reform efforts in the Netherlands designed to take a more flexible approach to sentencing adolescents and young adults. Here, we summarize the reasoning behind these changes, including the challenges specific to a youth population in the justice system; lessons learned from the new procedure used by the Dutch; and potential implications for other countries in how they approach sentencing adolescents and young adults. The full article "Young Adults in the Justice System: The Interplay between Scientific Insights, Legal Reform and Implementation in Practice in The Netherlands" by va P. Schmidt, Stephanie E. Rap, and Ton Liefaard can … [Read more...] about Criminal Justice Reform: Netherlands Using New Approach to Sentencing Adolescents and Young Adults
