In the United States, approximately 30.3 million or 9.4% of the population have been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. Of these, 8.3 million remain undiagnosed. There are approximately 2 million people incarcerated in detention centers, jails, and prisons across the United States with approximately 80,000 inmates living with diabetes. Correctional officers are not educated to identify and respond to inmates with evolving medical complications, such as low or high blood glucose, which can lead to preventable adverse events, including permanent injury or death. The purpose of this project was to develop an evidence-based education module to teach correctional officers how to recognize the signs and symptoms of low or high blood glucose levels of inmates with uncontrolled diabetes and to rapidly respond with basic medical treatment. The module was validated by 6 experts with 87% agreement prior to being presented to 49 corrections officers in a 1-hour lecture format with cases, guided by Knowles's adult learning theory. A paired t-test demonstrated the average knowledge scores significantly increased from 56% before to 76% after the education module (t = 7.16, p = 0.0001). Although the baseline and follow-up knowledge were low among this group, this project measured only short-term learning outcomes. Because the impact of knowledge acquisition could diminish or disappear with time, future studies to measure the long-term effects of the education on avoiding adverse events are necessary. This project contributes to positive social change by providing correctional officers with an increased likelihood of identifying early and responding appropriately to inmates with an evolving medical emergency.

Thesis (M.A.)--Bowling Green State University, 2007. / Document formatted into pages; contains viii, 105 p. : ill. Includes bibliographical references.

<p>The objective of the thesis is to study how contacts/relationships are established in prison, and whether this is of significance for co-offending. A further objective is that of studying co-offending among individuals classified as gang members. Data have been collected from the Register of Suspected Offenders for all individuals released from Swedish prisons over a period of six months (n=3,930). Data have also been collected for individuals deemed by prison service officials to be members of various gangs (n=1,310). Twelve individuals (four women and eight men) with experience of serving time in prison have been interviewed. </p><p>The results of the register study show that it is uncommon for individuals who have spent time together at the same prison to be suspected of committing offences together subsequent to release. This was the case for two percent of the entire study population and three percent of the gang members. The co-offending of different gangs has also been studied by means of network analysis. There are substantial variations between different gangs as regards the proportion of suspected offences involving gang members and other individuals respectively, as reflected in both direct and indirect links. The interview study shows that there are different reasons for wanting to establish contacts/relationships with others. For some the intention is to maintain contacts of value for future crimes. A number of different reasons emerged however for why such contacts are discontinued. Inmates return to their old friends, they are re-arrested, women find themselves back in the worlds of men, a long time may pass between the individuals’ respective release dates, they may live a long way apart or drug use, leading to the breakdown of contacts as a result. </p><p>The theoretical framework employed in the thesis proceeds from social exchange theory. For co-offending to take place subsequent to release from prison, the contact/relationship established in prison must be worth something. Trust, contacts with other criminals, the size of an individual’s criminal network, and criminal capital are all relevant in this context. </p>

The objective of the thesis is to study how contacts/relationships are established in prison, and whether this is of significance for co-offending. A further objective is that of studying co-offending among individuals classified as gang members. Data have been collected from the Register of Suspected Offenders for all individuals released from Swedish prisons over a period of six months (n=3,930). Data have also been collected for individuals deemed by prison service officials to be members of various gangs (n=1,310). Twelve individuals (four women and eight men) with experience of serving time in prison have been interviewed. The results of the register study show that it is uncommon for individuals who have spent time together at the same prison to be suspected of committing offences together subsequent to release. This was the case for two percent of the entire study population and three percent of the gang members. The co-offending of different gangs has also been studied by means of network analysis. There are substantial variations between different gangs as regards the proportion of suspected offences involving gang members and other individuals respectively, as reflected in both direct and indirect links. The interview study shows that there are different reasons for wanting to establish contacts/relationships with others. For some the intention is to maintain contacts of value for future crimes. A number of different reasons emerged however for why such contacts are discontinued. Inmates return to their old friends, they are re-arrested, women find themselves back in the worlds of men, a long time may pass between the individuals’ respective release dates, they may live a long way apart or drug use, leading to the breakdown of contacts as a result. The theoretical framework employed in the thesis proceeds from social exchange theory. For co-offending to take place subsequent to release from prison, the contact/relationship established in prison must be worth something. Trust, contacts with other criminals, the size of an individual’s criminal network, and criminal capital are all relevant in this context.

This research investigates and documents the nature of the challenges faced by men upon their release from federal incarceration in the Province of Saskatchewan. Due to the high number of Aboriginal peoples incarcerated in Saskatchewan, this research necessarily investigates the differences between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal ex-prisoners. A qualitative approach is employed in order to understand post-incarceration from the perspectives of those who have experienced what it is like to return to the community after prison and those who work with men making this transition. This thesis fastidiously describes parole board hearings, the difficulties related to integrating into society as perceived by ex-prisoners, and the role of the service providers and agencies in Saskatoon that assist former inmates. It is shown that there are certain difficulties common among ex-prisoners, such as finding employment and housing and accessing appropriate support resources. The particular difficulties of Aboriginal ex-prisoners are highlighted, revealing that the difficulties experienced by all ex-prisoners appear to be amplified for Aboriginal ex-prisoners. Racism and the overall disadvantaged position of Aboriginal peoples in Canada are identified as significant barriers to Aboriginal ex-prisoners attempting to integrate into the community.

This research investigates and documents the nature of the challenges faced by men upon their release from federal incarceration in the Province of Saskatchewan. Due to the high number of Aboriginal peoples incarcerated in Saskatchewan, this research necessarily investigates the differences between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal ex-prisoners. A qualitative approach is employed in order to understand post-incarceration from the perspectives of those who have experienced what it is like to return to the community after prison and those who work with men making this transition. This thesis fastidiously describes parole board hearings, the difficulties related to integrating into society as perceived by ex-prisoners, and the role of the service providers and agencies in Saskatoon that assist former inmates. It is shown that there are certain difficulties common among ex-prisoners, such as finding employment and housing and accessing appropriate support resources. The particular difficulties of Aboriginal ex-prisoners are highlighted, revealing that the difficulties experienced by all ex-prisoners appear to be amplified for Aboriginal ex-prisoners. Racism and the overall disadvantaged position of Aboriginal peoples in Canada are identified as significant barriers to Aboriginal ex-prisoners attempting to integrate into the community.

Thesis (doctoral) - Universität, Hamburg, 2004. / Bibliographie p. 365-374. Index.

Background: Two-year nationwide prison recidivism rates stand at over 60%, and minorities and the poor are at greatest risk both of first-time incarceration and of offending repeatedly over time. Initiatives that may address prison inmates’ lack of resources and increase their success in their communities after release are now an important topic in the study of criminal justice policy. Over the course of the past two decades, the public health concern of HIV/AIDS has increasingly become a part of this discourse on re-entry, as the disease disproportionately affects minority communities both in and outside of prisons. Affected reentrants face not only the challenges associated with employment, education, housing, and other social infrastructure that impede their long-term re-entry into mainstream society, but must also navigate issues surrounding continuity of medical care and behavioral risk reduction. In 2009, Georgia State University received funding to conduct an evaluation of Georgia’s Pre-Release Planning Program (PRPP) for HIV-positive inmates, and conducted semi-structured interviews with 25 former inmates who had received services from PRPP. This thesis work attempts to assess the content of the interviews and the potential impact of such an evaluation on corrections policy, especially in light of other similar programs that have been funded nationwide. Methods: A literature review was conducted to provide information on state and Federal pre-release programs for HIV+ prisoners that have been funded since the 1990s. A qualitative analysis of the GSU interview transcripts, consisting of coding for major themes, was completed. The goal of the analysis was to determine what program components had been most beneficial to participants, and also what needs had gone unfulfilled. Results: Most participants (23/25) in receipt of pre-release planning services in Georgia felt that they had benefitted from the program. A majority (19/25) attended the appointments set up for them by the program coordinator. Respondents were generally satisfied with their medical care, though cases existed where respondents had been unable to access a stable provider or medication supply as planned. The greatest aid to participants from PRPP was in the area of medical care. Limitations were perceived in the areas of employment after release and the Department of Labor program to which PRPP referred participants, as well as housing to a lesser degree. Study participants acknowledged and appreciated the program coordinator’s hard work with the resources that she had, and recommended transitional housing and work programs as ideal resources to improve their situations. Almost all (22/23) expressed interest in a community mentoring program to aid their progress post-release. Conclusions: Literature showed a variety of education and prevention program models targeting HIV in prisons since the 1990s. The best program outcomes were associated with the longest period of intervention and the most intensive case management (Rhode Island), but further evaluation is needed, and funding for such programs is a real and consistent concern. When combined with the literature on previous and existing programs nationwide, the voices of these participants provide a good idea of what may be next for a successful pre-release program in Georgia. 1) Planning services should begin sooner before release—possibly at the time of admission to prison—and should provide a longer period of follow-up, in order to capitalize on the time available for intervention with this vulnerable population and to more effectively prevent recidivism. The addition of support staff for the Georgia PRPP may allow this to occur. 2) Provision or expansion of the community mentoring program proposed in Spaulding’s 2009 study and supported by participants in these interviews, providing for matching of mentors with mentees by family and ethnic background, may be an important way to improve health outcomes among this population while facing a dearth of funding. 3) Securing and advocating for additional funding for vocational, counseling, and medical support services available to the general prison population is crucial, in order to support opportunities for skills advancement and true corrections in life path among a historically deprived incarcerated population. A cost-effectiveness analysis by state officials is recommended in order to measure the true economic value of such programs—especially in contrast to the public burden of unchecked recidivism. 4) A change in the Georgia laws that severely restrict the civil rights of ex-felons—including the right to vote, to be considered for many job opportunities, to be admitted to certain professional schools, and to receive state or federal financial aid for secondary education—is essential if former inmates are to be realistically expected to succeed outside of prison.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Toronto, 2007. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 68-06, Section: B, page: 4159. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 183-195).

Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul / Drug addiction is an age-old problem, but currently only public policies have been concerned with interventions to users. Drug use by inmates is a serious health problem so that there is a need for studies to seek alternative solutions. This research aimed to investigate the consumption of psychoactive substances in a sample of inmate male adults. We used the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST), which evaluates the consumption of drugs in the last three months prior to testing. The test was applied to 139 inmates aged from 19 to 58 years from prisons in southern Brazil. The results showed high rate related to the use of tobacco, alcohol, marijuana and cocaine/crack and that the correlations between the use of different drugs were positive and statistically significant. We conclude that there is a strongly established association between drug use and deprivation of liberty in that context, causing health and safety problems. Furthermore, it is important to expand literature with new studies to provide more data that can support specific interventions to the needs of inmates. / A drogadição é um problema milenar, mas só atualmente as políticas públicas têm se preocupado com intervenções para os usuários. O uso de drogas pelos presidiários evidencia um problema de saúde sério em que há a necessidade de estudos para buscar alternativas de soluções. O objetivo dessa pesquisa foi investigar o consumo de substâncias psicoativas em uma amostra de adultos do sexo masculino privados de liberdade. Foi utilizado o teste Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST), que avalia o consumo de drogas de indivíduos nos últimos três meses de vida anteriores a testagem. A aplicação se deu com 139 apenados com idades entre 19 anos e 58 anos dos presídios do Sul do Brasil. Os resultados mostraram o alto índice relacionados ao uso de derivados do tabaco, bebidas alcoólicas, maconha e cocaína/crack e que existem correlações positivas e estatisticamente significativas entre o uso das diferentes drogas. Concluiu-se que há uma associação fortemente estabelecida entre uso de drogas e a privação de liberdade nesse contexto, causando problemas de saúde e de segurança. Também, é importante ampliar a literatura com novos estudos capazes de fornecer mais dados que possam subsidiar intervenções específicas diante das necessidades dos apenados.