Early Adult Involvement in the Criminal Justice System

The United States boasts the world’s highest rates of incarceration and community supervision for individuals involved in the criminal justice system. Approximately 40% of these individuals are early adults aged 18 to 29. However, little information is available on the criminogenic risks and needs for this age group, even though this age group is less cognitively developed than adults over age 30 which leads to higher impulsivity, lower reasoning, and inhibited executive functioning. Moreover, individuals involved in the criminal justice system experience trauma at rates substantially higher than the general population. Traumatic experiences are associated with impulsivity, substance use, lower reasoning, and violent reactions. This three-paper dissertation provides foundational information about the criminogenic risk and needs, as well as the traumatic experiences, for early adults. Paper one is a systematic review of trauma-informed interventions used with justice-involved populations. Paper two uses administrative data to explore criminogenic needs among early adult probationers, as well as nuances of criminogenic need based on gender and mental health symptomology. Paper three uses primary data collected from probationers with serious mental illnesses to assess the extent to which trauma is present among this high-risk, high-need population. Results show that little research is focusing on how early adults have unique needs separate from older adults. Additionally, few trauma-informed programs are being successfully implemented with justice-involved populations. Findings also suggest a need for trauma-informed programs to be provided within the criminal justice system, as well as programming focused on criminogenic needs responsive to the unique needs of females and individuals with mental health symptoms. Implications are discussed related to future programming for criminal justice populations served by social workers, early adults’ needs, and the presence of trauma and criminogenic needs among justice-involved populations with mental health needs.Doctor of Philosoph

Feasibility of recruiting in prisons during a randomized controlled trial with people with serious mental illness

BACKGROUND: Successful participant recruitment is vital to the feasibly of intervention research. In the behavioral and social sciences, intervention researchers face a myriad of recruitment barriers, many of which stem from working in real-world settings and among hard-to-access populations. Optimizing recruitment efforts requires being intentional about study planning and resource allocation, carefully documenting the outcomes of recruitment efforts, and developing and implementing procedures and strategies to overcome anticipated recruitment barriers. METHODS: The current article presents recruitment flowcharts to illustrate (a) the multistep recruitment process and (b) the points of potential participant attrition during recruitment from a two-phase group-based intervention study conducted among individuals with serious mental illness incarcerated in a state prison system in the U.S. In addition, qualitative methods are used to examine strategies employed during the study to support recruitment efforts. RESULTS: Despite challenges, this study was able to achieve recruitment goals. Analyses found the majority of potential participant attrition occurred prior to informed consent, highlighting the need for studies to track recruitment efforts in more detail than is currently recommended by commonly used guidelines. Strategies to optimize recruitment efforts included maximizing recruiter availability, developing a responsive communication approach, demonstrating respect for facility procedures and operations, and ensuring peak preparedness. CONCLUSION: Careful documentation of recruitment efforts and the early deployment of recruitment strategies is vital to the feasibility of intervention studies conducted in real-world settings with hard-to-access populations. The publication of recruitment procedures and outcomes can help future researchers anticipate recruitment challenges and inform recruitment goals, timelines, and strategies

Accountability in Intervention Research: Developing a Fidelity Checklist of a Mental Health Intervention in Prisons

Adherence to intervention content and delivery protocols is vital in establishing the efficacy of treatment programs for mental illnesses. Using a fidelity tool during interventions can substantially increase the likelihood of clients receiving the most scientifically rigorous treatment. This article outlines the steps taken to develop a fidelity checklist to measure treatment adherence of a two-part intervention delivered in a prison setting. Researchers followed the five-step guide by Feely et al. (Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 35(2), 139–152: 2018) and describe the process of developing a fidelity tool to measure treatment adherence to a newly adapted CBT-based intervention designed to maximize uptake for participants with serious mental illnesses. Key decision points are discussed, along with final decisions and contextual considerations. A 26-item checklist was developed to measure treatment adherence related to process, content, and adaptations of the intervention. The checklist follows the structure of the CBT intervention, as well as provides flexibility for the delivery adaptations. Pilot testing of the checklist revealed all sessions were implemented with at least 85% fidelity, and 90% of sessions were implemented with at least 90% fidelity. Raters agreed on the fidelity of a session in 99.6% of sessions. Contextual considerations included the highly secure study setting, reconciling the constant monitoring of a group and creating a treatment environment, the flexibility mandated by the intervention, the relative newness of the intervention, and the limitations based on study aims and resources. These results illustrate how study specific considerations and challenges can be successfully navigated in the development and deployment of a fidelity tool in a real-world setting. The fidelity checklist achieved our goal of measuring treatment adherence for this intervention. In the development of a fidelity tool, we recommend leaving space for raters to note specific considerations that disrupt facilitators’ ability to deploy the intervention precisely. Measuring fidelity is imperative for mental health interventions to ensure that the treatment is responsible for the changes observed in clients

Physical Health Problems Among People With Severe Mental Illnesses: Race, Gender, and Implications for Practice

BACKGROUND: Individuals with severe mental illnesses experience high rates of chronic health conditions; however, the extent to which risk of chronic physical health problems varies by race and gender among these individuals is understudied. AIMS: This study examines variations in health problems by race and gender among individuals with severe mental illnesses. METHOD: Administrative data, which included blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values, were obtained from 603 individuals with serious mental illnesses who received integrated health and behavioral health services from a large mental health agency in the Midwest. Bivariate and multivariate statistical models were used to examine variation in physical health problems by race and gender. RESULTS: Compared with men, women with severe mental illnesses were more likely to have BMI levels indicating obesity or morbid obesity (p < .001). Compared with White participants, Black participants were less likely to have high HbA1c levels (p < .001) but were more likely to have high blood pressure (p < .001). Among race and gender groups, Black women were more likely to have high BMI (p < .05), Black men were more likely to have high blood pressure (p < .001), and White men were more likely to have high HbA1c levels (p < .01) when holding constant all other variables. CONCLUSIONS: There is evidence that types and severity of physical health problems among individuals with severe mental illnesses varies by race and gender. Replication of these results and more research is needed to ensure that health-related education and integrated health and behavioral health interventions meet the needs of individuals with serious mental illnesses

The Grizzly, November 10, 2005

Congress to Campus • Spyware Protection • Honor Code Debate Continues • Human Rights Activist Speaks at UC • Scientific Sexual Healing • Epic Skate Shop • DiBlasio to Perform at Ursinus • Repeat! Dynasty Built in Second CC Crown • Fad Diets: Sometimes it is OK Not to be Trendy • Opinions: My Mouth Runneth Over; Who is Samuel Alito? • No Crown but Earn Bid to ECAC • Women\u27s Rugby Division III Championshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1699/thumbnail.jp

Social support among people with mental illnesses on probation

Objective: Justice-involved people with mental illnesses, in general, experience poor criminal justice outcomes (i.e., high rates of recidivism and probation revocations) and are at increased risk of homelessness, unemployment, stigma, trauma, and poor physical health. Low social support is repeatedly associated with worse mental health outcomes in the general population but little is known about social support among probationers with serious mental illnesses. Method: To address these gaps in the literature, we used an observational cross-sectional study design and data from a large, randomized controlled trial of specialty mental health probation to examine self-reported social support and its relationships with mental health functioning and other outcomes for individuals with serious mental illnesses on supervised probation. Results: Probationers who self-reported lower levels of social support also reported greater mental health symptomatology and reported lower quality relationships with their probation officers. Conclusions and Implications for Practice: Low social support among probationers with mental illnesses has important implications for mental health and criminal justice practice and policy. Coordinating services between the criminal justice and mental health systems to offer opportunities for social support and meaningful community engagement for those with mental illnesses who are on probation could improve a number of mental health and criminal justice outcomes for this population. Peer support and supported employment services, for example, in addition to outpatient mental health services, could be two strategies that could address social isolation and help individuals living with mental illnesses optimize their recovery and rehabilitation

The Grizzly, November 3, 2005

Remembering Professor McLennan: A Passionate Teacher and a Beloved Friend • Renowned Writer Speaks at Ursinus • Building Plans for Spring 2006 and Beyond • Ovarian Cancer Walk • Chikara Wrasslin\u27 • EQ vs. IQ: Hirsh-Pasek on Education • The Many Faces of Muslim Women • Take Heed and Use Your Keys • Escape Velocity\u27s Just the Start is a Great Success • New Oktoberfest Policies Put into Effect • Popping the Pill • RHA Brings Halloween Fun to Ursinus • Opinions: The Right to Write Right; Raising Rates for Resident Assistants; Global Gag Rule and FGM; Harriet Miers: Aftermath; You Snooze, You Lose • Title Hopes Still Alive as Ursinus Upsets #16 Johns Hopkins • Bears Beat Blue Jays, Look to Defend Conference Crownhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1698/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, October 6, 2005

UC Tuition Series Part Two: AFAC • Thinking Man\u27s Comic Brings Biting Wit to Campus • Director of Physical Facilities Retires after 26 Years of Service • Crossing Woes • Long-term Campus Development Plans • Environmentalist Speaks on Climate Change • Program Spotlight: America Reads • Jordanian Visitor Discusses Education • New Attendance Policy • Battle of the Websites: The Facebook vs. MySpace • Let\u27s Talk About Sex • Staff Profile: Campus Safety Director Kim Taylor • Can You Climb the Wall? • Let\u27s Party: The Unspoken Rules of Ursinus Nightlife • Opinions: The Black Spotlight, Or Why White People Like Me; Stress Can Affect Your Academic Performance; Down the Path; Another Glance at UC Fringe • Bears Terrorize McDaniel in OT • Bears Make Bullets Shoot Blanks • Rally Falls Short as McDaniel Beats Ursinus • Soccer Struggles Continuehttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1695/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, September 22, 2005

Oktoberfest Location Still Up in the Air • Activities Fair Showcases Clubs Both New and Old • WVOU Relaunch • Fringe Festival Comes to Kaleidoscope • Theft on Campus • Writing Center Opens • Soldier Speaks on Rebuilding Afghanistan • New Mac Lab in Ritter • The Dirt on UC Soap • UC Getting Greener Every Year • Ursinus in Florence: A Little Rain Never Hurt Anyone • Get Up and Get Moving: Making Exercise a Routine • Creating Communication Elation • Staff Profile: Gary Hodgson • Opinions: Veggie Monster? A Commentary on Society Brought to You by the Letter H; Religion of Ritual; The Next Generation; Priorities; Hard vs. Soft News • Ursinus Triumphs Over LaSalle • Bears Dominate Dickinson • Athletic Facility Face Lift • Tumblebears at UChttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1693/thumbnail.jp

Structure and activity of hydrodesulfurization catalysts

No abstract