Negotiating the Maximum-Security Offender Identity: Experiences From Incarcerated Women.

The representation of women classified as maximum-security offenders continues to be a challenge due to paucity of research regarding their experiences. Generally, their stories are masked under the experiences of the other categories of incarcerated women. Drawing from a larger study conducted with incarcerated women in a South African correctional centre in Johannesburg, in this article I provide a thematic analysis of in-depth interviews on the lived experiences of negotiating the maximum-security offender identity by 13 women. The results suggest that the maximum-security offender identity is associated with rejection, dehumanisation, denial of agency, restricted movement, and labelling. The article also highlights the significance of providing agency to incarcerated women in deconstructing stereotypes that represent them as angry and uneducated with no value to society. A more balanced repositioning of their stories emerges as they get an opportunity to construct their own experiences.

Sharing architectural models; morphologies and surveillance from the seventeenth to the ninenteenth centuries / Compartiendo modelos arquitectónicos: morfologías y vigilancias del siglo XVII al XIX

Spatial and territorial organization is an important factor in the configuration of control and surveillance strategies at work in our society. Architecture in general and certain buildings in particular have been key devices in exercising said control and surveillance. In these pages we look at the building structures in facilities specially designed for the control and custody of their occupants. We begin with the Casas de Misericordia, which appeared in the 16th century and were designed to house marginalized people mostly from urban environments, and go over the morphologies of prisons, hospitals, and quarantine stations. We analyze the transfer of building structures from one kind of establishment to another, and discuss how their specific functions progressively fixed their morphologies. Finally, we focus on the discourse built in Spain, from its origins in the 16th century until its realizations in the first half of the 19th century, when a marked institutional specialization took place and building structures became more stable, dealing with theoretical proposals as well as what was done in the practice (AU)

La organización espacial y territorial es un factor importante en la configuración de las estrategias de control y vigilancia que funcionan en nuestra sociedad. La arquitectura en general, y determinados edificios en particular, han sido dispositivos importantes para el desempeño de tales tareas. En estas páginas se estudian las estructuras constructivas de establecimientos especialmente diseñados para el control y la custodia de sus habitantes, comenzando por las «Casas de Misericordia» diseñadas para recoger a los marginados, principalmente urbanos, desde el siglo XVI, y se rastrean las morfologías de cárceles, hospitales y lazaretos. Analizamos la transferencia de estructuras constructivas de un establecimiento a otro y cómo la reflexión sobre las funciones específicas de cada uno de ellos fue fijando sus morfologías. Finalmente, se presta atención al discurso construido en España, desde sus orígenes en el siglo XVI hasta sus concreciones en el XIX, ocupándonos tanto de las propuestas teóricas como de las realizaciones (AU)

Prevalencia de trastorno mental y factores de riesgo asociados en tres prisiones de España / Mental disorder prevalence and associated risk factors in three prison of Spain

Objetivos: Conocer la prevalencia vida y prevalencia mes de personas con trastorno mental y su asociación con factores de riesgo sociodemográficos y penales en tres centros penitenciarios de España (Ocaña I y II y Madrid VI). Material y Método: Estudio epidemiológico descriptivo transversal con una muestra de 184 internos. Los datos sociodemográficos y penales se recogieron mediante una entrevista ad hoc. Los trastornos mentales se evaluaron con la versión clínica de la Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statical Manual of Mental Disorders Axis I Disorders (SCID-I). Resultados: La prevalencia vida de trastorno mental fue del 90,2%, siendo los trastornos mentales más frecuentes el abuso o dependencia de sustancias (72,3%), seguidos de los trastornos del estado de ánimo (38,5%) y los trastornos psicóticos (34,2%). La prevalencia de cualquier trastorno mental en el último mes fue del 52,2%, siendo el principal trastorno el psicótico (20,7%) seguido del abuso o dependencia de sustancias (18,5%), y del trastorno del estado de ánimo (13%). Para cada uno de los trastornos se encontró un perfil sociodemográfico como factor de riesgo. Discusión: La prevalencia de las personas con trastorno mental es muy elevada en las prisiones españolas, estando asociada a un perfil sociodemográfico característico. Es esencial continuar investigando esta realidad, traduciendo los resultados en acciones de tipo terapéutico y preventivo, adaptadas al estatus de los internos para reducir las desigualdades sociales en esta situación prioritaria de Salud Pública (AU)

Aims: To determine the lifetime and monthly prevalence of people with mental disorders and its association with socio-demographic factors and criminal risk in three Spanish prisons (Ocaña, Madrid I, II and VI). Method: Cross-sectional epidemiological study of a sample of 184 inmates. Socio-demographic and criminal data were collected by an ad hoc interview. Mental disorders were assessed with the clinical version of the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Axis I Disorders (SCID-I). Results: Life prevalence of mental disorders was 90.2%. The most common mental disorders and substance abuse or dependence was 72.3%, followed by mood disorder (38.5%) and psychotic disorders (34.2%). Moreover, the prevalence of any mental disorder in the last month was 52.2%. The main psychotic disorder (20.7%) was followed by substance abuse or dependence (18.5%), and mood disorder state (13%). A socio-demographic profile as a risk for each disorder was found. Discussion: The prevalence of people with mental disorders is very high in Spanish prisons, and is associated with a distinct demographic profile. It is essential to continue researching this reality, translating the results into therapeutic and preventive action adapted to the status of inmates to reduce social inequalities in this high priority public health situation (AU)

“No bastan muros de piedra para hacer una prisión”: la vida cotidiana de los internos de la cárcel Villahermosa, Cali, Colombia / “Stone walls are not enough to build a prison”: the daily life of inmates at "Villahermosa" prison in Cali, Colombia

El presente artículo derivado de investigación, describe la situación carcelaria en Colombia en los últimos años, haciendo énfasis sobre la situación particular del hacinamiento en el establecimiento carcelario Villahermosa de la ciudad de Cali(Colombia). Finalmente se realiza un análisis sobre la manera en que transcurre la vida cotidiana en dicho Centro Carcelario.

The current article, derived from a piece of research, describes the prison situation in Colombia, in the last few years, making emphasis on the particular overcrowding situation at “Villahermosa” Prison in the city of Cali, Colombia. Lastly, an analysis of the daily living conditions at that prison is made.

Hacia una medida objetiva de la discriminación en la cárcel: indicadores e índice de punición / Towards an objective measure of discrimination in jail: punishment indicators and index / Para uma medida objetiva da discriminação na cadeia: indicadores e índice do punição

La mayoría de las mujeres encarceladas en España cumplen sus condenas en cárceles mixtas, diseñadas por y para hombres. Además de sufrir un régimen de vida y seguridad que excede su peligrosidad y penaliza sus posibilidades de reingreso, la cultura del patriarcado reproduce en la cárcel su carácter discriminatorio con ellas, y llega incluso a castigarlas con más dureza que a sus compañeros. Aunque esta discriminación ya había sido enunciada anteriormente (Carlen & Worrall, 2004; Almeda, 2003), este artículo expone un método creado ad hoc, que permite medirla de manera empírica y objetiva. Los indicadores y el índice de punición aquí descritos han sido desarrollados en el marco del proyecto de investigación “SINDISCRIP” (Sistema de Indicadores de Discriminación en Instituciones Penitenciarias) , cuyo propósito principal era la creación de un sistema de información que permitiese observar la posible existencia de discriminación entre hombres y mujeres en y entre los distintos centros penitenciarios españoles. En este sistema también se abordaban otros indicadores, que examinaban las áreas de salud, trabajo, educación o condiciones de vida.

Most women imprisoned in Spain are serving their sentences in mixed jails designed by men and for men. Apart from suffering exceedingly hard regime, security and safety conditions above their own dangerousness and tending to penalize their potential re-entry, the “patriarchy culture” reproduces in prison its discriminatory nature against them and at times may even punish them more severely than their male counterparts. Although this discrimination had already been revealed (Carlen & Worrall, 2004; Almeda, 2003), this article presents a method created ad hoc that can be measured in an empirical and objective manner. Both punishment indicators and the index described have been developed within the framework of the “SINDISCRIP” (“Sistema de Indicadores de Discriminación en Instituciones Penitenciarias) research project, the main purpose of which was the creation of an information system whereby it could be possible to verify the potential existence of discrimination between men and women and the different Spanish correctional centers. Likewise, this system other indicators used to examine the areas of health, work, education or life conditions had been approached.

A maioria das mulheres presas na Espanha cumpre suas penas nas cadeias misturadas, projetadas por e para homens. Além de sofrer um regime da vida e da segurança que supera sua perigosidade e penaliza suas possibilidades de reingresso, a cultura do patriarcado reproduz na cadeia seu caráter discriminatório com elas, e chega a puni-las com mais dureza do que a seus companheiros. Embora esta discriminação já foi enunciada previamente (Carlen & Worrall, 2004; Almeda, 2003), este artigo expõe um método criado ad-hoc, que permite medi-la de maneira empírica e objetiva. Os indicadores e o índice da punição descritos aqui foram desenvolvidos dentro da estrutura do projeto da investigação “SINDISCRIP” (Sistema dos indicadores da discriminação em instituições penitenciárias), cujo propósito principal era a criação de um sistema de informação que permitisse observar a possível existência da discriminação entre homens e mulheres e entre os diferentes centros penitenciários espanhóis. Neste sistema também abordam-se outros indicadores que examinaram as áreas de saúde, de trabalho, de educação ou de condições de vida.

Colonias Penales Agrícolas de los Siglos XIX y XX como Sustitución de la Pena de Prisión Tradicional en Colombia / Colônias penais agrícolas dos séculos XIX e XX como substituição da pena de prisão tradicional na Colômbia / Criminal Justice Colonies of the 19th and 20th Century type instead of the traditional imprisonment methods in Colombia

El artículo desarrolla el tema de la política criminal de los siglos XIX y XX y su influencia en el sistema penitenciario colombiano, concretamente en la isla prisión Gorgona y las colonias penales de Araracuara y de Oriente, dentro del panorama internacional, en el que se incluye tanto el inicio como el cierre de cada uno de estos centros de reclusión; de igual modo, comprende el estudio legislativo, la ubicación geográfica, las características y su estructura penitenciaria para establecer la problemática de las colonias penales y el tratamiento dado a los condenados en el marco de la eficacia de cada una.

This article develops in international terms some aspects of criminal policy in the 19th and 20th centuries and its influence on the Colombian penitentiary system, particularly at the Gorgona Island prison and the Araracuara and Oriente criminal justice colonies, where both the opening and closing of each one of these centers are included. Likewise, it covers the relevant legislative survey, geographical location, features, and penitentiary structure in order to identify the problem of criminal justice colonies and the treatment applied on convicts within their individual efficiency framework.

O artigo desenvolve o tema da política criminal do século XIX e século XX e sua influência no sistema penitenciário colombiano, especificamente na ilha prisão Gorgona e as colônias penais Araracuara e Oriente, no panorama internacional, que inclui o início e o encerramento de cada um destes centros de detenção. Da mesma forma, ele inclui o estudo legislativo, localização geográfica, características e sua estrutura penitenciária para estabelecer a questão das colônias penais e o tratamento dos prisioneiros no âmbito da eficácia de cada um.

National study of jail suicide: 20 years later.

Findings from a national study of jail suicide are provided, including the extent and distribution of suicides in holding and detention facilities, and descriptive data on demographic characteristics of each victim, incident, and facility. Among significant findings are that suicides were evenly distributed from first few days of confinement to over several months of confinement, many suicides occurred during waking hours, most inmates were not under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol at the time of death, and many suicides occurred in close proximity to a court hearing. Suicide prevention programming was found to be uneven in most facilities that experienced suicides. There has been a significant decrease in the rate of suicide in detention facilities.

[Dental caries in the carceral middle of Dakar]. / La carie dentaire en milieu carcéral dakarois.

Oral diseases, mainly tooth decay and periodontal disease, are among the most common conditions in the world. The tooth decay is very prevalent in developing countries and particularly in disadvantaged backgrounds where insecurity and its corollaries prevail. Thus, our study focused on one of these places: the prisons, characterized by deprivation of liberty, monotony, boredom, and the difficult conditions of detention, brief by a total dependence of the detainee. The aim of this study was to determine the DMFT (Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth) in detainees dwelling in prisons in Dakar. This cross sectional study included 754 detainees aged 18 years and more with a stay exceeding more than a year, in one of the four main prisons of the capital city, Dakar. The majority of detainees was males (90%), aged between 18 and 35 years (63%) and was staying at "Camp penal" (65%). The proportion of inmates with at least one tooth cavity was 81.3%, those with teeth sealed was 26.1% and the prisoners with missing teeth reached 70.6%. The highest average DMFT was noted at "Camp penal" (7.3) among men (6.5) and among inmates aged 36 to 45 years (6.1) with a significant difference. The tooth decay is particularly worrying in the prison population, hence the urgency to establish a programme of prevention and care of oral diseases in this environment.

Availability and capacity of substance abuse programs in correctional settings: A classification and regression tree analysis.

UNLABELLED: OBJECTIVE TO BE ADDRESSED: The purpose of this study was to investigate the structural and organizational factors that contribute to the availability and increased capacity for substance abuse treatment programs in correctional settings. We used classification and regression tree statistical procedures to identify how multi-level data can explain the variability in availability and capacity of substance abuse treatment programs in jails and probation/parole offices. METHODS: The data for this study combined the National Criminal Justice Treatment Practices (NCJTP) Survey and the 2000 Census. The NCJTP survey was a nationally representative sample of correctional administrators for jails and probation/parole agencies. The sample size included 295 substance abuse treatment programs that were classified according to the intensity of their services: high, medium, and low. The independent variables included jurisdictional-level structural variables, attributes of the correctional administrators, and program and service delivery characteristics of the correctional agency. RESULTS: The two most important variables in predicting the availability of all three types of services were stronger working relationships with other organizations and the adoption of a standardized substance abuse screening tool by correctional agencies. For high and medium intensive programs, the capacity increased when an organizational learning strategy was used by administrators and the organization used a substance abuse screening tool. Implications on advancing treatment practices in correctional settings are discussed, including further work to test theories on how to better understand access to intensive treatment services. This study presents the first phase of understanding capacity-related issues regarding treatment programs offered in correctional settings.

Gender differences in HIV risk behaviors of inmates.

BACKGROUND: Incarcerated men and women differ in their views on HIV prevalence rates and susceptibility and their ability to prevent HIV infection. The objective of this study was to assess sex and gender differences in HIV risk behaviors of inmates in order to better support the consideration of gender in the development of HIV prevention interventions for the incarcerated population. METHODS: A survey of 1819 inmates was conducted using a structured questionnaire. Self-reported HIV risk behaviors of 526 women and 1293 men during incarceration were compared. Bivariate analyses were done to identify gender differences in demographic characteristics and HIV risk behaviors. Logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with engaging in sexual intercourse in prison. RESULTS: Mean age was higher for women than men (p = 0.05), and >50% of participants were African Americans. More women than men reported that they engaged in sexual intercourse (p < 0.001); however, men were more likely to report anal sex (p < 0.001). There were no sex differences in injection drug use. Women who identified as bisexual or lesbian, those who had been currently incarcerated for at least 1 year, and those who received tattoos in prison were more likely to report sexual intercourse. The only independent risk factor identified for men was being currently incarcerated for at least 7 years. CONCLUSIONS: There are gender differences in HIV risk behaviors of inmates during incarceration. The findings in this study suggest that inmates may benefit from gender-specific HIV interventions while incarcerated and in the community subsequent to release.

Commentary: evolving toward equivalency in correctional mental health care--a view from the maximum security trenches.

Developing and implementing community standards of care in correctional mental health and psychiatric practice will facilitate progress toward attaining equivalency in care in prisons and jails. Specialized therapeutic procedures such as application of restraints and seclusion when properly implemented are valuable tools in the treatment of the chronically mentally ill in prisons. The authors share some useful points for working in maximum-security prisons.

Social climate within secure inpatient services for people with intellectual disabilities.

BACKGROUND: The social climate of inpatient facilities is thought to be an important contributor to treatment outcome. However, little research has focused on this construct within secure forensic services for people with intellectual disabilities (ID). Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the social climate of two different types of secure units ('low' secure vs. 'medium' secure) contained within the same facility for offenders with ID. Two hypotheses were generated: (1) residents would rate the social climate of the whole facility in a more negative direction than staff, and (2) residents and staff would rate the social climate of the 'low' secure unit in a more positive direction than that of the 'medium' secure unit. METHOD: Using a 2 (factor 'Participant' = Staff or Resident) x 2 (factor 'Unit' = 'Low' or 'Medium' Secure Unit) between-subjects design, 18 residents and 37 staff members were recruited and completed the Correctional Institutions Environment Scale (CIES), a measure of social climate. RESULTS: Residents tended to rate the units in a more positive direction than staff on some sub-scales. Participants rated the 'low' secure unit in a more positive direction than the 'medium' secure unit on two sub-scales of the CIES. However, on selected sub-scales there were differences. The findings of this study suggest that the CIES may be a valid instrument for use within forensic services for people with ID, and further suggests that residents and staff have different perceptions of the shared social climate, which may have implications for service development.