Anarchist Abolitionism: The Context and Meaning of Kropotkin's Prison Writings

The use of the prison is a highly debatable topic. Its main aims are to deter and reform criminals, but recent reports show high recidivism rates which suggests that the prison does not work in reducing crime. Penal abolitionists oppose the current use of the prison and wish for its removal. In line with their views, Peter Kropotkin also wished for the removal of the prison. He believed it was a harmful institution just as abolitionists did but Kropotkin further proposed a vision of an ideal society which operated without prison. In contemporary society a world without prison seems unimaginable, however, Kropotkin did not just oppose the operation of the prison but in fact opposed all forms of authority and wished for their removal. He stated that his ideal society without hierarchy and governance would prosper and crime would reduce. This thesis explores Kropotkin’s thoughts on crime and punishment. It aims, by using Skinner’s method, to set a historical context in order to explore if Kropotkin’s anarchist or abolitionist views are reflected within his prison writings. To set such a context, Kropotkin’s life will be explored. The events and influences which would have contributed to his thought will be uncovered and in addition a selection of the literature he read will be examined. This will allow for the reader to develop a similar knowledge-base to that which Kropotkin would have had and therefore will allow for an understanding of where Kropotkin’s thought initially came from. After a close examination of these aspects of Kropotkin’s life and thought, and after an in depth study of his prison writings, it is reasonable to conclude that his work is both anarchist and abolitionist. This shows a great overlap between the two differing schools of thought

Models in the delivery of depression care: a systematic review of randomised and controlled intervention trials

BACKGROUND: There is still debate as to which features, types or components of primary care interventions are associated with improved depression outcomes. Previous reviews have focused on components of collaborative care models in general practice settings. This paper aims to determine the effective components of depression care in primary care through a systematic examination of both general practice and community based intervention trials. METHODS: Fifty five randomised and controlled research trials which focused on adults and contained depression outcome measures were identified through PubMed, PsycInfo and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases. Trials were classified according to the components involved in the delivery of treatment, the type of treatment, the primary focus or setting of the study, detailed features of delivery, and the discipline of the professional providing the treatment. The primary outcome measure was significant improvement on the key depression measure. RESULTS: Components which were found to significantly predict improvement were the revision of professional roles, the provision of a case manager who provided direct feedback and delivered a psychological therapy, and an intervention that incorporated patient preferences into care. Nurse, psychologist and psychiatrist delivered care were effective, but pharmacist delivery was not. Training directed to general practitioners was significantly less successful than interventions that did not have training as the most important intervention. Community interventions were effective. CONCLUSION: Case management is important in the provision of care in general practice. Certain community models of care (education programs) have potential while others are not successful in their current form (pharmacist monitoring)

Models of mental health delivery: efficacy, support and policy

The research reported in this paper is a project of the Australian Primary Health Care Research Institute, which is supported by a grant from the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing under the Primary Health Care Research, Evaluation and Development Strategy

Keeping up, and keeping on: Risk, acceleration, and the law-abiding driving offender

Roads policing has been described as “the public face of the police” for many citizens (Corbett, 2008a:131), but fails to excite much criminological interest. This is despite the fact that vehicle use is the most likely generator of an adverse-outcome encounter between the general public and the police (Corbett 2008b:13) and is therefore one of the most likely situations in which individuals are confronted with their own ‘law-abidingness’ or lack of it. The paper will propose that the concepts of ‘risk’ (as a political as well as sociological concept) and ‘acceleration’ (of technological change, as well as everyday life) can be used to explain the controversial and apparently unsettling image of roads policing in recent years. This paper reflects on how speeding offences (researched between 2002- 2006) and mobile phone use by drivers (researched between 2013-2016) reveal much about how drivers see themselves, their priorities, and the law

The Inconvenient Truth About Mobile Phone Distraction: Understanding the Means, Motive, and Opportunity for Driver Resistance to Legal and Safety Messages

The research evidence around distraction caused to drivers by mobile phone use is clear. Phone using drivers are four times more likely to be involved in a collision, are far less likely to notice and react to hazards, take much longer to react to any hazards they do notice and can look at hazards yet fail to see them. These findings relate equally to handsfree and handheld use. It is also clear that drivers are often resistant to these research findings and that self-reported mobile phone use by drivers is increasing. This paper combines a review of what is currently known about the dangers of mobile phone use by drivers with what research tells us about the ways drivers think about themselves, the law, and their risk of both crashing and being prosecuted. We blend these insights to explain why research evidence may be resisted both by drivers and policy makers, highlighting the inconvenient truth that is the distraction caused by mobile phone use

Taking the right course: the possibilities and challenges of offering alternatives to prosecution for drivers detected using mobile phones while driving

There is a considerable body of literature that outlines the dangers of mobile phone use by drivers. However, there is very little research that explores the role and effectiveness of attempts to tackle this specific road user problem. Generally, normative motives are more likely to generate compliance with traffic law, and are more likely to be developed through approaches which focus on engagement and education. There would seem to be little potential for them to be developed through the use of penalty points and fines, which rely on more instrumental logic. Nonetheless, the decision was made in the UK in recent years to cease offering ‘courses’ (inputs to detected phone-using drivers offered as an alternative to prosecution) for mobile phone offences. This decision was made despite a lack of evidence one way or another about their effectiveness in tackling both handheld mobile phone use and handsfree mobile phone distraction – a form of distraction not explicitly covered in law. This research project aimed to explore driver education as an alternative to prosecution for mobile phone use while driving offences, focusing on perceptions and experiences of one particular educational intervention. This paper draws on 46 semi-structured interviews with those involved in delivering a specific intervention aimed at reducing handheld mobile phone use by drivers that was previously offered as an alternative to prosecution in the UK; the police officers identifying offenders for referral to such courses, those delivering the intervention, drivers attending the course as an alternative to prosecution and members of the public attending the course as general education. Four key themes, with underpinning subthemes, emerged; 1) Police officer discretion and entry into the criminal justice system 2) Police-public interactions, 3) Course experiences, and 4) Post-course considerations. Firstly, police officer discretion is an important determinant of criminal justice system outcome, based on subjective rather than legal decisions about whether or not to report drivers for an offence. Secondly, police officers negotiate encounters with road users using the avoidance of prosecution as a way of diffusing difficult conversations, sometimes by offering a course as a preferable alternative to prosecution, sometimes by encouraging handsfree phone use. Thirdly, course attendance provides an opportunity to develop both normative alignment through increased understanding of police work, and to appreciate a range of instrumental consequences associated with mobile phone use. Both self-reportedly impacted upon mobile phone use while driving. Finally, post-course considerations emphasised a focus on who should be offered courses as an alternative to prosecution, focusing upon desires for both punitive and rehabilitative responses to mobile phone using drivers

Occupational Therapy: Breaking the Barriers with Survivors of Human Trafficking

PICO Question What occupational therapy interventions enhance the occupational engagement for survivors of human trafficking? Objectives Recognize the occupational injustices experienced by survivors of human trafficking and the effect on occupational participation Describe the role of the occupational therapy practitioner in enhancing occupational participation of survivors of human trafficking Discuss evidence-based interventions within the scope of occupational therapy practice for survivors of human traffickin

What skills do primary health care professionals need to provide effective self-management support?: seeking consumer perspectives

Author version made available in accordance with the publisher's policyObjective This research aimed to identify the skills required by primary health care (PHC) professionals to provide effective chronic condition prevention and self -management (CCPSM) support, according to the perceptions of a sample of Australian consumers and carers. Methods Qualitative data was collected and integrated from a focus group, key informant interviews and National Stakeholder meetings and a National Workshop, supported by an extensive literature review. Results With the exception of health professionals specifically trained or currently working in this area, consumers and carers perceive there is a lack of understanding, competence and practice of CCPSM support among PHC professionals. Discussion The PHC workforce appears not to have the full set of skills needed to meet the growing burden of chronic conditions on the health system. Recommendations include education and training that focuses on improved communication skills, knowledge of community support resources, identification of consumers' strengths and current capacities, collaborative care with other health professionals, consumers and carers, and psychosocial skills to understand the impact of chronic conditions from the person’s perspective

A Theory of Change for Improving Children’s Perceptions, Aspirations and Uptake of STEM Careers

There is concern about the low numbers and diversity of young people choosing careers and study subjects in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) at university and beyond. Many interventions aimed at addressing this issue have focused on young people aged 14+ years old. However, these interventions have resulted in little improvement in the numbers and diversity of young people progressing into STEM careers. The aim of this study is to ask “What are the affordances of a Theory of Change (ToC) for increasing the diversity and number of young people choosing a career in STEM post-18?” An innovative ToC is introduced which provides the theoretical underpinnings and context for the complex mix of interventions necessary to lead to a significant change in the number and diversity of those choosing STEM careers. Case studies of interventions developed using the ToC are presented. This approach, and associated ToC, is widely applicable across STEM, education and public engagement fields