Suchergebnisse

Because of the extreme demands made by continuously escalating offender populations on already scarce prison space and program resources, a number of laissez-faire management approaches have been exposed as deficient. Forcing offenders to adhere to availability-driven models results in frequent misalignment of correctional responses, often with excessive financial and human costs. A developing trend toward data-based, objective approaches and the use of high-quality information systems has direct implications for prison resource management. Decisions regarding both individual offenders and systemwide policy can benefit from these evolving models. However, management ingenuity will not be equal to the task if extraprison forces are not simultaneously examined and modified.

Because of the extreme demands made by continuously escalating offender populations on already scarce prison space & program resources, a number of laissez-faire management approaches are exposed as deficient. Forcing offenders to adhere to availability-driven models results in frequent misalignment of correctional responses, often with excessive financial & human costs. A developing trend toward databased, objective approaches, & the use of high-quality information systems has direct implications for prison resource management. Decisions regarding both individual offenders & system-wide policy can benefit ffom these evolving models; however, management ingenuity will not be equal to the task if extraprison forces are not simultaneously examined & modified. HA

Summary This study investigates the attitudes of Criminal Justice and Social Work majors toward offenders living with mental illness. Multivariate regression analyses were used to explore differences in attitudes between student majors, controlling for factors such as age, race, and political ideology among a sample of 358 respondents. Participant attitudes and beliefs were assessed using the Attitudes toward Mentally Ill Offenders scale which consists of four factors: negative stereotypes, rehabilitation/compassion, community risk, and diminished responsibility. Findings Results of multivariate regression analyses indicated that Social Work students were less likely to have negative stereotypes toward offenders with mental illness and tended to be more supportive of their potential for rehabilitation. Applications It is important to understand attitudes toward and beliefs about adult offenders living with mental illness among future professionals likely to serve this population. Understanding these attitudes has the potential to both inform the higher education curricula as well as strengthen the implementation of evidence-supported practices and policies that require cross-systems collaboration.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to examine the nature of individual attitudes toward sex offenders. Because the term "sex offender" tends to evoke strong emotions, and given that open-ended self reports tend to be highly subjective, particularly in the context of such pointed terminology, this study sought to develop an attitude assessment tool that addresses specific domains found in the literature. Methods: Through a number of iterations, the Community Attitudes Toward Sex Offenders Scale was developed. Results: Exploratory and subsequent confirmatory factor analyses found a four-factor, 18-item version to best represent the domains of interest. Factor and item characteristics are reported. Conclusions: Replication and extension to other populations appears warranted.