Voices Behind Bars: Correctional Education from the Perspective of the Prisoner Student

Approximately two million men and women are currently incarcerated in the nation\u27s penitentiaries. Ninety percent of these inmates will eventually be released from prison. There is a need for prisons to provide services that will prepare these men and women for successful reentry into society. These services include education and vocational training. To determine the effectiveness of education/training, the perspective of the prisoner student is key to the field of correctional education. The voice of the prisoner student, however, is absent from the literature on prisoner education. This qualitative study examined the thoughts, feelings, experiences, and plans/goals of prisoner students at Southern State Penitentiary (pseudonym used). Oneon- one interviews with prisoner students were used, as well as brief observations of the classroom setting and operation. Surveys were completed by two corrections administrators to gain the perspective of the administrator in relation to the correctional education experience. Three emergent themes indicated a need to further study the prisoner student from this intimate perspective: student perceptions of success, regret of prior decisions, and rethinking the correctional education experience. The findings of this study have implications for the fields of elementary and secondary education, higher education, and correctional education

Voices Behind Bars: Correctional Education from the Perspective of the Prisoner Student

Approximately two million men and women are currently incarcerated in the nation\u27s penitentiaries. Ninety percent of these inmates will eventually be released from prison. There is a need for prisons to provide services that will prepare these men and women for successful reentry into society. These services include education and vocational training. To determine the effectiveness of education/training, the perspective of the prisoner student is key to the field of correctional education. The voice of the prisoner student, however, is absent from the literature on prisoner education. This qualitative study examined the thoughts, feelings, experiences, and plans/goals of prisoner students at Southern State Penitentiary (pseudonym used). Oneon- one interviews with prisoner students were used, as well as brief observations of the classroom setting and operation. Surveys were completed by two corrections administrators to gain the perspective of the administrator in relation to the correctional education experience. Three emergent themes indicated a need to further study the prisoner student from this intimate perspective: student perceptions of success, regret of prior decisions, and rethinking the correctional education experience. The findings of this study have implications for the fields of elementary and secondary education, higher education, and correctional education

Adult Learners\u27 and Instructors\u27 Perceptions of the Andragogical Instructional Method Used at a Northern Mississippi Community College

The purpose of this study was to understand adult learners’ and instructors’ perceptions of the andragogical instructional method used at a Northern Mississippi Community College. In addition, this study explored how well the andragogical instructional method worked as a way to educate adult learners. A qualitative phenomenological design was used to examine the perceptions of six returning full-time adult learners and six full-time instructors regarding the use and impact of the andragogical instructional method via purposeful sampling. Data was collected by face-to-face interviews. Through the participants’ shared experiences and reviewing the interview transcripts, several themes emerged regarding their perceptions of the andragogical instructional method. The common themes that influenced student success of the returning full-time adult learners were blending, support, and institutional fit. Full-time instructors identified sharing and engagement as being the success of the returning adult learners. With these findings, it was recommended that a professional development workshop be created to train instructors regarding this instructional method as a means of enhancing instructors’ understanding of the andragogical instructional method and provide helpful tools and resources. The emergent themes in this study not only necessitate the need for future research but also provide needed insight for institutional leaders to understand returning full-time adult learners’ perceptions of the andragogical instructional method. This research study may assist and benefit instructors to gain the knowledge and expertise to excel positively and socially chage from practicing a teacher-centered approach versus the andragogical instructional method

The Portrayal and Representation of Ed Kemper in Mind Hunter

The research conducted within this textual analysis study examined the portrayal and representation of Edmund Kemper in the Netflix show, Mind Hunter. Serial killers and their crimes have become a popular genre of media. This is a crucial topic to study because as the genre grows, misconceptions among serial killers may become more popular. Consumers who often consume this type of media end up bolstering a specific stereotype concerning serial killers. This research study analyzes the portrayal of this one specific individual. The researchers watched multiple viewings of the show and analyzed the representation of Kemper, specifically his physical appearance and characteristics, nonverbal and verbal communication. Kemper’s representation and portrayal in the show is aligned with multiple theories including, cultivation theory, feminist theories, masculinity theories and other previous literature conducted. We encourage further research to be conducted in regard to this show and other shows and films that focus on serial killers

Aquariums as Reservoirs for Multidrug-resistant Salmonella Paratyphi B

Multidrug-resistant Salmonella enterica serovar Paratyphi B dT+ isolates from patients with gastroenteritis were identical with isolates from their home aquariums. Matched isolates had identical phage types, XbaI and IS200 profiles, and Salmonella genomic island 1 (SGI1). Ornamental fish tanks are reservoirs for SGI1-containing S. Paratyphi B dT+

Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate Use and Blood Lead Levels in a Cohort of Young Women

BACKGROUND: Injectable contraceptive use is common, with 74 million users worldwide. Use of the injectable contraceptive depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) is associated with bone mineral density loss. We hypothesize that increased bone resorption with DMPA use allows for mobilization of the toxic metal lead stored in bone to blood, presenting users with increased systemic exposure to lead. OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to investigate the association between current DMPA use and blood lead concentrations. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using enrollment data from the Study of Environment, Lifestyle & Fibroids (SELF), a cohort of 1,693 African-American women who were 23-35 years of age. Data on DMPA use were collected by computer-assisted telephone interview. Blood lead concentrations were measured in whole blood samples among 1,548 participants (91% of cohort). We estimated the adjusted percent difference in blood lead concentrations and 95% confidence intervals (CI) between current DMPA users and nonusers using multivariable linear regression. RESULTS: Geometric mean blood lead concentration was 0.69 μg/dL (95% CI: 0.67, 0.71). After adjustment, current DMPA users (7% of cohort) had blood lead concentrations that were 18% higher than those of nonusers (95% CI: 8%, 29%). Similar associations were observed with additional analyses to assess for potential bias from smoking, DMPA-induced amenorrhea, use of estrogen-containing contraceptives, having given birth in the prior year, and history of medical conditions or current medication use associated with bone loss./ DISCUSSION: Our results indicate that current DMPA use is associated with increased blood lead concentrations. Further research, particularly in populations highly exposed to lead, is warranted to consider tradeoffs between the adverse effects of lead on human health and the importance of DMPA as a contraceptive option to prevent unintended pregnancy. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP7017

Clinical and cost evaluation of intensive support team (IST) models for adults with intellectual disabilities who display challenging behaviour: a comparative cohort study protocol

Introduction: Approximately 17% of adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) living in the community display behaviours that challenge. Intensive support teams (ISTs) have been recommended to provide high-quality responsive care aimed at avoiding unnecessary admissions and reducing lengthy inpatient stays in England. We have identified two models of ISTs (model 1: enhanced provision and model 2: independent provision). This study aims to investigate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of the two models of ISTs. Methods and analysis: A cohort of 226 adults with ID displaying behaviour that challenges who receive support from ISTs from each model will be recruited and assessed at baseline and 9 months later to compare the clinical and cost-effectiveness between models. The primary outcome is reduction in challenging behaviour measured by the Aberrant Behaviour Checklist-Community (ABC-C). The mean difference in change in ABC score between the two IST models will be estimated from a multilevel linear regression model. Secondary outcomes include mental health status, clinical risk, quality of life, health-related quality of life, level of functioning and service use. We will undertake a cost-effectiveness analysis taking both a health and social care and wider societal perspective. Semistructured interviews will be conducted with multiple stakeholders (ie, service users, paid/family carers, IST managers/staff) to investigate the experience of IST care as well as an online survey of referrers to capture their contact with the teams. Ethics and dissemination: The study was approved by the London–Bromley Research Ethics Committee (REC reference: 18/LO/0890). Informed consent will be obtained from the person with ID, or a family/nominated consultee for those lacking capacity and from his/her caregivers. The findings of the study will be disseminated to academic audiences, professionals, experts by experience and arm’s-length bodies and policymakers via publications, seminars and digital platforms. Trial registration number: ClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT03586375)