Cessation of dangerousness status: an analysis of 224 reports from the Instituto de Perícias Heitor Carrilho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Objectives: To evaluate factors related to dangerousness cessation at the end of involuntary commitment based on an analysis of expert reports. In light of the current legal requirement of dangerousness cessation as a pre-requisite for prison or internment release of individuals subjected to the safety measure, we sought elements to reflect on the practice of expert examiners in charge of making this decision. Methods: The authors revised 224 expert psychiatric dangerousness cessation reports released 2011 through 2014 and collected data for a statistical analysis. Results: The following variables were associated with positive risk cessation assessments: no inadequate behavior (according to the assistant professionals), no productive psychotic symptoms, no negative symptoms, presence of insight, presence of a support network, and no psychoactive substance abuse. The following variables were associated with negative dangerousness cessation decisions: early onset of malfunction, lack of insight, negative attitudes, active signs of major mental illness, presence of impulsiveness, poor response to treatment, presence of plans lacking feasibility, exposure to destabilizing factors, lack of personal support, and presence of stress. Conclusions: In this study we were able to identify factors associated with dangerousness in a sample of expert reports. The knowledge of factors linked to a higher risk of recidivism in illegal activities or violent behavior is crucial for decision-making regarding the release of offenders after their legally established period of involuntary commitment.

Miedo al Delito, Victimización y Satisfacción con la Vida en México / Fear of Crime, Victimization, and Satisfaction with Live in Mexico

El objetivo del presente estudio es examinar las relaciones existentes entre miedo al delito, victimización y satisfacción con la vida, en función del género. La muestra estuvo conformada por 7535 sujetos de ambos sexos (49.8 % mujeres y 50.2 % hombres) de entre 12 y 70 años, seleccionados a partir de un muestro estratificado proporcional. El instrumento de medida fue una adaptación de la Encuesta Nacional de Victimización y Seguridad Pública de México. A partir de un MANOVA factorial multivariante se observó que el miedo al delito, la victimización y las medidas de protección frente a la delincuencia se relacionaban con una pobre satisfacción con la vida. También se observó, respecto del sexo, que los hombres tenían mayor miedo al delito y realizaban más restricciones en su vida cotidiana. Finalmente, se discuten los resultados y sus implicaciones prácticas.

The aim of this study is to examine how fear of crime, victimization, and satisfaction with life are related and also differ according to gender. 7535 participants of both sexes (49.8% women and 50.2% men) aged from 12 to 70 years old were selected from a proportional stratified sample. The instrument applied was an adaptation of the National Survey of Victimization and Public Security of Mexico. A multivariate factorial MANOVA was carried out. Fear of crime, victimization, and measures of protection against delinquency appear as related to poor satisfaction with life. Regarding to gender, higher scores of men on fear of crime and on restrictions in their daily lives were observed. Finally, the results and their practical implications are discussed.

Mudanças ocorridas na cidade de Uberaba-MG e suas possíveis influências no lazer infantil / Changes at Uberaba city (MG) and their possible influences in childhood leisure

Mudanças no cotidiano reduziram oportunidades para o lazer infantil, sendo necessário verificá-las para levantar subsídios para políticas públicas. Este estudo refere-se à mudanças ocorridas em uma cidade em Minas Gerais, que podem estar ligadas à atividades infantis. Documentos fornecidos por instituições públicas foram analisados bem como respostas de pais de 20 crianças de uma escola privada, escolhidas aleatoriamente. Verificou-se que a população da cidade, bem como o número de carros e crimes aumentou, enquanto que o número de lugares públicos para o lazer permaneceu quase o mesmo. A maior parte do tempo estas crianças brincam dentro das suas próprias casas com atividades de baixo gasto enérgico; elas não têm muitos amigos para brincar. Mudanças na política pública social precisam ser realizadas para que o sistema de urbanização traga mais segurança aos moradores e garanta os direitos de criança ao lazer.

Changes in daily life have reduced child opportunities for leisure and it is necessary to know what has been changed in order to bring subsidies for public policies. This study is concerning with changes in one city from Minas Gerais State ? Br that may be linked with child activities. Documents provided by public institutions were analyzed as well the answers from 20 parents of children who studied in a private school and were randomized chose. It was found that city population, as well the number of cars and crimes had increased while the numbers of public places for leisure remain nearly the same. Most of the time those children has played inside of their own houses, doing activities with few energetic cost; they don?t have many friends to play with. Social public policies need to be developed bringing projects where urbanization system may give more security for the people guaranteeing child?s rights for leisure.

Crime in Trinidad and Tobago: the effect of alcohol use and unemployment

OBJETIVO: Determinar si el desempleo y el consumo de alcohol se asociaban con distintos tipos de delincuencia en Trinidad y Tabago. MÉTODOS: El estudio se realizó con datos secundarios obtenidos de la Oficina Central de Estadísticas de Trinidad y Tabago para el período de 1990­1997. Se aplicaron correlaciones de Pearson del tipo producto-momento y análisis de regresión múltiple por eliminación progresiva (stepwise regression) para identificar los principales factores pronósticos relacionados con la delincuencia. RESULTADOS: El desempleo explicó 69,2% de la varianza en la frecuencia de delitos graves. La disponibilidad de cerveza para consumo en el hogar explicó 64% de la varianza en la frecuencia de infracciones menores, y el desempleo junto con la disponibilidad de cerveza para consumo en el hogar explicaron 92,2% de la varianza en la frecuencia de delitos menores. CONCLUSIONES: Este estudio proporciona información que puede ser útil para idear políticas contra el desempleo y la venta de cerveza destinada al consumo doméstico, factores que se asocian con la delincuencia en Trinidad y Tabago. Si se redujera la disponibilidad de cerveza para consumo en el hogar ùproblema de salud pública importanteù, la frecuencia de infracciones menores se reduciría notablemente en este país. Hacen falta más investigaciones que exploren la relación entre el desempleo y la delincuencia.