The decision to establish a mental health court in Utah's First District was largely a political one prompted by the growing popularity of problem-solving courts throughout the country. Because this motivation was policy-driven and not needs-driven, the court was established without an ongoing data collection schedule. As a result, barring anecdotal evidence from program participants, the current impact of the court on two key goals-- reducing recidivism and increasing community-based treatment contact--is entirely unknown. The current study aims to provide a summative program evaluation of the first sixty-eight months of specialty court operation by (1) estimating basic demographic and clinical information about program referrals, participants, and graduates; and (2) measuring program effectiveness by examining between-group differences in key outcome measures (e.g., new charges, use of therapeutic services, time to rearrest, etc.) for those referrals who are accepted into the program as participants versus those referrals who are rejected from the program and sentenced to treatment-as-usual. Ideally, the current study will not only provide an evidence-based assessment of local practices at the current study site but will also empirically inform the greater community of mental health practitioners, researchers, and policymakers who are operating in smaller, more rural districts.

The purpose of this thesis was to explore the impact of Aboriginal spirituality/culture on federally sentenced Aboriginal males at the Pe'Sakastew Centre. The Centre is a minimum security institution which is operated by the Correctional Service of Canada. The effects of Aboriginal spirituality/culture were explored through interviews with twelve Aboriginal men who were serving part of their sentences at the Centre. The men were asked a range of questions that dealt with childhood experiences, adult lifestyles and attitudes, prison experiences and programming, the Pe'Sakastew Centre, and the perceived effects on attitudes and behaviors by participating in Aboriginal spiritual/cultural programming. This study also addressed several specific issues including: the role of Aboriginal spirituality/culture in the healing/rehabilitation process; the presence of other contributing factors; and the difference between the Pe'Sakastew Centre and mainstream prisons.<p> This thesis research identified thematic patterns in the men's life stories. Many interviewees had difficult childhoods and their adult lifestyles reflected similar problems that revolved around chemical dependency, violence, gangs,illegal activities, and prison. While many interviewees reported negative prison experiences, they benefitted considerably by participating in Aboriginal spiritual/cultural programs. The benefits related to an enhanced ability to cope with the prison environment, to heal the wounds from childhood, and to deal with problems of alcohol/drug addiction and violence.<p>The interviewees reported five positive aspects of the Pe'Sakastew Centre including: the Centre's open and safe environment; the men have a responsibility to help themselves; the presence of Aboriginal people; the approach of the Centre; and the ability to release con mentality. The majority of interviewees described positive changes in attitudes and behaviors as a result of their participation in Aboriginal spiritual/cultural programming. Many reported a more positive attitude towards themselves and others. Several described themselves as being happier and able to deal with problems in a proactive manner. The interviewees revealed a high level of respect for the Elders, their knowledge, and the cultural values that they project to the men. It was concluded that Aboriginal spiritual/cultural programs contributes significantly in the process of healing/rehabilitation of Aboriginal men.

The purpose of this thesis was to explore the impact of Aboriginal spirituality/culture on federally sentenced Aboriginal males at the Pe'Sakastew Centre. The Centre is a minimum security institution which is operated by the Correctional Service of Canada. The effects of Aboriginal spirituality/culture were explored through interviews with twelve Aboriginal men who were serving part of their sentences at the Centre. The men were asked a range of questions that dealt with childhood experiences, adult lifestyles and attitudes, prison experiences and programming, the Pe'Sakastew Centre, and the perceived effects on attitudes and behaviors by participating in Aboriginal spiritual/cultural programming. This study also addressed several specific issues including: the role of Aboriginal spirituality/culture in the healing/rehabilitation process; the presence of other contributing factors; and the difference between the Pe'Sakastew Centre and mainstream prisons.<p> This thesis research identified thematic patterns in the men's life stories. Many interviewees had difficult childhoods and their adult lifestyles reflected similar problems that revolved around chemical dependency, violence, gangs,illegal activities, and prison. While many interviewees reported negative prison experiences, they benefitted considerably by participating in Aboriginal spiritual/cultural programs. The benefits related to an enhanced ability to cope with the prison environment, to heal the wounds from childhood, and to deal with problems of alcohol/drug addiction and violence.<p>The interviewees reported five positive aspects of the Pe'Sakastew Centre including: the Centre's open and safe environment; the men have a responsibility to help themselves; the presence of Aboriginal people; the approach of the Centre; and the ability to release con mentality. The majority of interviewees described positive changes in attitudes and behaviors as a result of their participation in Aboriginal spiritual/cultural programming. Many reported a more positive attitude towards themselves and others. Several described themselves as being happier and able to deal with problems in a proactive manner. The interviewees revealed a high level of respect for the Elders, their knowledge, and the cultural values that they project to the men. It was concluded that Aboriginal spiritual/cultural programs contributes significantly in the process of healing/rehabilitation of Aboriginal men.

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The objective of this study was to investigate and analyse the educators’ experience in managing a full-time school within a Correctional Services environment. Provision of education in the South African Department of Correctional Services is in terms of Section 29 (1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (Act No.108 of 1996) which stipulates that “everyone has a right (a) to basic education, and (b) to further education, which the state, through reasonable measures, must make progressively available and accessible.” “This constitutional imperative for schooling is not a right that is curtailed by incarceration” (DCS, 2005:137). The researcher used qualitative research inquiry. This is a case study of the educators’ experience in managing a full-time school within a Correctional Services environment. To obtain an in-depth understanding and gain more insight on the research topic, this study focused on one full- time school within the South African Department of Correctional Services. Literature reveals that “correctional centres are bureaucratic institutions that are characterised by a number of factors that can potentially encourage or impede education programme success” (Sanford &Foster, 2006:604). The environment makes learning difficult as there are frequent lockdowns, headcounts and hearings that disrupt the consistency of classes and interrupt the education process (Schirmer, 2008:29). Few learners attend classes and whilst in class they are not really listening, instead, they would be sleeping and unproductive. In most cases, learners would be present because they were forced to be in the education programme (Wright, 2004:198). In this study, the researcher used semi-structured one on one interviews, and document analysis as data collection strategies. Purposeful sampling was utilized to select respondents. A total of six respondents who are full-time educators employed by the Department of Correctional Services were interviewed. The study reveals that managing a full-time school within a Correctional Services environment seems to be challenging because education is not respected and not prioritized. This finding appears to be consistent with literature which reveals that the uniqueness of correctional centre culture with a correctional centre management characterized by a focus on security measures such as lockdowns and head counts constraints the possibilities of learning (Watts, 2010:57). Based on the findings in this study, the researcher recommends that educator development should be prioritized within the Department of Correctional Services and school management should be informed about learners that are released from the correctional centre. This study concludes that managing a full-time school within a Correctional Services environment is challenging due to Correctional Services environment being not conducive for teaching and learning and inadequate resources. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Education Management and Policy Studies / unrestricted

Text in English / While correctional centres are often associated with men, there is an increasing number of incarcerated women who have rehabilitation needs that are specific to their gender. Historically correctional centres have responded through offering rehabilitative programmes that stereotyped women offenders into socially constructed gender roles. Using a feminist criminology framework, the current study aimed to explore the subjective inner experience and meaning given by women classified as maximum security offenders to the rehabilitation processes in the Johannesburg Correctional Centre. Data was collected from 18 incarcerated women who are and were once classified as maximum offenders. A narrative analysis was used in understanding the data from the interviews. Women’s narratives in the current study reflect unique and common experiences with rehabilitation in the correctional centre. Being a maximum security offender presents a challenge of further perceived discrimination, alienation and isolation amongst women who describe limited involvement in rehabilitation as a result of this identity. Also highlighted in the study are challenges in implementing gender sensitive programming in a penal system infused with power dynamics; a discipline and punish narrative; patriarchy; binary view of gender and ethnocentrism. A continued reinforcement of traditional structures, systems and practices that seek to perpetuate gendered form of existence is also evident in the current study. Therefore, a need for the reformation of the correctional centre context and culture is suggested so as to respond in a manner that is not only gender sensitive, but also inclusive enough in recognising both in theory and in practice, the various locations of inequality in society that influence female criminality. The principle of Ubuntu demonstrated through caring, compassion and hospitability which empowers and edifies the other person through interrelatedness is one of the promising initiatives that can guide correctional centres and society in the implementation of gender sensitive programmes, while paying attention to the socio-cultural dynamics that influence women’s pathways to crime. / Psychology / D. Phil. (Psychology)

The thesis examine the process of rehabilitation offered by the Department of Correctional Service as from the time the offender is admitted (sentenced) until such time he is released back into society. Rehabilitation in the departmental context is based on four key delivery areas, which must be in place to ensure that offenders are rehabilitated. Faced with several challenges, e.g. demilitarization, structural defects of the facilities that are not conducive for rehabilitation or build for Unit management principles, career path developed for officials, and the transformation of the old penitentiary system to the new generation prison system, the department failed to achieve their objectives. The thesis will examine the current process of rehabilitation in the Department of Correctional Service, and identify areas of under performance to seek best practices to improve service delivery. The study will also focus on the readiness of offenders to be release as rehabilitated offenders and the After Care the Department provide to offenders upon their release. / Corrections Management / M.A. (Correctional Management)