159 research outputs found
A qualitative analysis of tattooing in an inmate population
No full textPurpose: The purpose of this investigation was to determine the quantitative effects of laughter on sleep patterns in a nursing home setting. The prediction was made that induced laughter would significantly improve sleep patterns in subjects over other treatment and conditions. Methods: Using a within-subjects design, three different conditions were manipulated for three consecutive periods of five days each. During the first five day period, the subjects were questioned about their sleep patterns and other related behavioral issues. This questioning continued with the addition of funny movies during the second consecutive five day period. The third five day period was conducted in the same manner as the second except that not-funny, interesting movies were shown. Findings: 1. The original hypothesis, that laughter induced through the funny movie treatment condition would significantly affect sleep patterns relative to the other treatment conditions, was not confirmed. 2. However, both the funny and not-funny conditions were significantly different from the no-movie treatment (p< .0001). 3. Likewise, self-esteem measured during the funny movie and not-funny treatments was significantly different from the no-treatment condition (p < .005)
Constraint Therapy With Progressive Incorporation of Bimanual Therapy Significantly Improves Hand Function in Children With Unilateral Brain Injury
No full textAbstract
Date Presented 3/31/2017
This study examined the efficacy of modified constraint-induced movement therapy, with progressive introduction of bimanual therapy to improve hand functions in children with unilateral brain injury participating in an intensive occupational therapy program.
Primary Author and Speaker: Ka Lai Kelly Au
Contributing Authors: Julie L. Knitter, Susan Morrow-McGinty, Jason B. Carmel, Kathleen M. Friel</jats:p
A comparison of a self evaluation and an evaluation by an employer of the inmate as an employee
No full textPurpose: The purpose of this investigation was to determine the significant difference in responses to an employee evaluation by inmate and their respective employers. The inmates completed a self evaluation on employee performance, and the employers completed a similar evaluation on the inmate’s work performance.
It was the aim of this study to achieve a clearer understanding of the attitude held by inmates and their past employers toward the inmate’s work performance. The difference between the two evaluations would suggest a need for vocational counseling in addition to the vocational training in the various prison systems.
Methods: The methods used to obtain data for this study were as follows: (1) a forty item questionnaire on job performance was develop; (2) the questionnaire was submitted to the inmate and employer sample groups; and (3) the significant difference between inmate and employer were computed by using the t test method.
Findings: The findings of this investigation indicate a significant difference between the inmate and employer ratings. The data revealed that inmates tend to view themselves as better employees than do their employers. The inmates rated themselves more positive on nine out of ten variables than the employers. The employers were more positive than the inmates on ten percent of the variables.
The inmates rated themselves a high positive on twenty percent of the variables. The largest single item difference between the two groups concerned doing a job not asked while at work. The inmates felt very positive about their willingness to do the job not asked, while the employer felt more negative. The other item in this high disagreement concerned the employee’s performance on the job. For example, doing one’s best on the job, doing one’s share of work, accepting responsibility, helping others on the job and calling if late for work. The largest differences between the two groups on these variables suggest this area needs to be examined by vocational counselors.
The inmates were more positive than the employers on sixty-five percent of the variables. These items dealt with attitudes towards work, work suggestions and the company. For example, the inmate group felt their general physical appearance on the job was good to excellent but the employer felt it was good. Vocational counseling would make the inmate employee aware of these job attitude differences. This type of counseling could help the problem of employing ex-inmates.
The two study groups were in close agreement on 7.5 percent of the variables. These three variables ere taking criticism, correcting a fellow worker, and having an open relationship with the supervisor. If both groups can agree in a positive manner on the ability to take criticism and open relationship then there is room for discussion of the problem. They agreed they had the open relationship between employer and employee and the employee felt he could take the criticism. The next step in this logical sequence would be that some employment problems between employers and ex-inmates would be a lack of communication. The study indicated both groups felt to a degree they could communicate, but apparently had not had good communications.
The employers, in reversal of the study trend, rated four items more positive than the inmates. The items were: participation in group activities, gossip at work, ability to take criticism and relation to supervisor other then work. Perhaps the inmate rated himself too negative on these items. These items would be of interest in vocational counseling because they represent a reversal of the study trend.
These large significant differences between inmate and employer rating on more of the variables, strongly suggest that the inmate needs vocational counseling as well as vocational training. There would be no point in sending a trained welder out to work if he could not hold a job because of his job attitude.
The overall findings of the data revealed that the inmate tends to think of himself as a good, if not excellent employee. The employers indicated a more negative viewpoint of inmates as employees. This unrealistic self image of the inmate as an employee is probably a significant factor in his job failure rate.
The data suggest that any vocational training without vocational counseling will be of little effect in rehabilitation. The significant difference between inmate and employer ratings indicated a constant discrepancy in the self image ratings. If there was an effective vocational counseling program in conjunction with present vocational training programs, there would be a lower recidivism rate and a higher job success rate for ex-inmates
Driving while intoxicated :the problem and the offender
No full textDriving While Intoxicated: The Problem and the Offender, Master of Arts, (Institute of Contemporary Corrections and the Behavioral Sciences), Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas, 1972. Purpose: It is the purpose of this study to provide a current and comprehensive view of the drinking driver as a serious and contemporary social problem. Aspects of prevention and punishment will be examined from a legal, educational and rehabilitation standpoint. Based upon the findings of this study, it is the intention of this writer to propose workable solutions which will aid law enforcement personnel in dealing effectively with this type of offender. Moreover, recommendation will be outlined for the effective ad realistic treatment of the alcoholic offender. Finally, it is the hope that this study, through an analysis of laws and approaches of other states ad countries, will influence future legislation in regard to our attitudes and concepts in the area of drinking and driving. Methods: Through a search of literature in the area of alcohol and the impaired or intoxicated driver, a study of the historical development of driving while intoxicated (DWI) in Texas, and by surveying present methods of arrest and conviction of this type of offender, a proposal for changes in current Texas law pertaining to this offense as been formulated. Available information in the area of DWI indicates that a majority of research has been conducted on the offense rather than the offender. In an effort to identify distinguishing characteristics of this type of offender, this author conducted a study of the 118 persons confined in the Texas Department of Corrections for the offence of driving while intoxicated. Data on eighteen factors were collected and recorded on a data sheet. This information was coded for and analyzed by the computer, making it possible to obtain statistical information which is recorded on tables and interpreted. Findings: A thorough search of the literature in the area revealed the following: (1) Present methods of dealing with the DWI offender have not been successful in substantially reducing the incidence of drunk driving. (2) A significant portion of drinking drivers can be considered problem drinkers and have been previously arrested for alcohol-related offenses. (3) better methods of arrest and conviction are necessary although rehabilitative treatment of the offender may play a more vital role in reducing the problem. (4) An extensive educational campaign may be necessary in order to accomplish an attitude change by the public toward the drinking driver problem. The following are the most salient points revealed by this study: (1) The typical DWI offender has between one and six years of formal education. (2) He has an IQ level of 74.4 which would place him in the borderline range of intellectual functioning. (3) He has been convicted frequently as an adult for both misdemeanors and felonies. (4) He has been confined in a state penitentiary at least once. (5) He has prior convictions for DWI but has not been involved in a formal treatment program for alcoholism
Military dependent juvenile runaways at Fort Hood, Texas :a descriptive profile
No full textPurpose:The primary purpose of this study was to obtain a descriptive profile of runway juveniles from Fort Hood, Texas. This profile included basic data such as age, sex, and education level of the juvenile. Information describing basic interaction patterns between the juvenile, his parents and additional family members was also obtained. Emphasis was placed on the actions taken by the juvenile during the runway episode. It was anticipated that through the design and implementation of this study, information would be gained regarding the following aspect of runway behavior at Fort Hood, Texas. 1. Who s the Fort Hood runway, what does he look like insofar as age, sex, race, and education level are concerned. 2. To what extent, if any, does he differ from the non-military dependent juvenile runway describe in previous research? 3. Is there any discernable pattern of events peculiar to the runway episode itself? Methodology: The data gathered in this study were obtained by interviewing fifty Fort Hood, Texas military dependent juvenile runways. Juveniles we defined as being any young person between the ages of six and seventeen. All interviews were structured through the use of a questionnaire form. Interviews were conducted by the author ad staff members from youth-related agencies cooperating in the data gathering effort. Selection of juveniles to be included in the sample was convenience-oriented in that the cooperating agencies was requested to obtain data from all appropriate juveniles currently and subsequently included on their caseloads. To insure accurate recall, this sample was limited to juveniles whose last runways episode had occurred less than twelve months prior to the interview. All data obtained were analyzed by means of frequency distribution through utilization of the Sam Houston State University’s computer. Findings: 1. The typical Fort Hood military dependent juvenile runway is a female between fourteen and sixteen years of age. She is Caucasian. She is mostly likely to be a sophomore in high school, but can be found in any grade in the range encompassing the eighth-grade to the junior year in high school. There is almost a 50-50 chance that she has repeated at least one grade in school.
2. Juveniles in this study were more likely to plan ahead of time the details of the runways episode, than juveniles studied in pervious research. They were also more inclined to stay gone longer and travel further from home. 3. The home, school, and peer group activities were the most likely starting points for runway episodes. Juveniles were more likely to run away by themselves than with another juvenile. Juveniles usually stayed at the dwelling of a friend or other “Sympathetic party� during the episode. An atmosphere of indifference and/or dissatisfaction, on the part of the juveniles and his parents, usually characterized the juvenile’s return home. 4. The most common responses given by juveniles when asked, “why do you think you ran away?� were: (a) Excessive drinking by either or both parents, (b) Strict or authoritarian discipline measure enforced by the parents, (c) Unwillingness of parents to compromise with the juveniles on matter such as the subject’s hair length, clothing style, and choice of friends, (d) failure of the parents to recognize the juvenile as a person with individual feeling and rights
Amnesty and the Vietnam war
No full textPurpose: The objectives of this study were: (1) To survey the history of amnesty in America as well as other selected countries; (2) To ascertain whether or not precedents, concerning amnesty in the United States, have been set; (3) To define the categories of political offenders in the United States; (4) To determine the arguments for and against the granting of amnesty; (5) To determine conclusively the best action to be taken with respect to the American Vietnam War resisters. Methodology: The methodology used in this study to accomplish the objectives were: (1) Collect data from agencies and organizations concerning amnesty; (2) Collect data concerning historical amnesties; (3) Personal interviews with Vietnam Veterans; (4) Review literature on the amnesty issue; (5) Correspond with Gold Star Parents for Amnesty; and (6) Refine data to indicate similarities and differences in American amnesties. Conflict: A. Arguments Against Amnesty: 1. The political offender has committed an illegal act and should have to stand punishment for committing a crime. 2. To grant amnesty would be to make a mockery out of the military service. 3. To grant amnesty to those who resisted would be to tell those who suffered bodily injury or lost loved ones in the war that their loss was of no benefit. 4. The majority of the people of the United States are opposed to the granting of unconditional amnesty. B. Arguments For Amnesty: 1. To unite the country 2. To allow the country to make use of her exiles 3. To honor the feelings of the Gold Star Parents for Amnesty 4. To allow Americans the right of disapproval on immoral grounds 5. To recognize that the Vietnam War may have been illegal 6. To honor religious views 7. To accept that man reacts out of moral conscience. Conclusion: Research supports the conclusion that the only fair and just solution of the Vietnam War resisters is unconditional amnesty. The people of the United States have suffered long enough from the division of the country, placed there by the military involvement in Vietnam. Unconditional amnesty is a recourse which would unify the country. By solving this problem of the past, the problems of the future could then be faced
The mentally ill offender in Texas
No full textPurpose:
The purpose of this study was to examine, analyze, and evaluate the application and administration of the laws, regulations, and rules affecting the procedures and processes relative to the trial, commitment, hospitalization, and disposition of offenders who have been declared insane or are considered mentally ill in the State of Texas. The aim of the study was to present a clearer and more precise understanding of the plight of the criminally insane and mentally ill offender.
Methods
The methods utilized in this study were basically library research into the applicable literature in the field as well as personal interviews with individuals involved with the issue of the criminally insane and mentally ill offender.
Findings
1.
The proposed Penal Code and conforming amendments recommended by the State Bar Committee with respect to the issue of insanity and mental incompetence will materially assist the courts, hospitals and all personnel dealing with this issue.,
2.
The proposed amendment to the State Constitution, Article 1, Section 15b, is necessary for the proper implementation of the proposed Penal Code provisions in this area.
3.
Article 6203e of the Texas Civil Statutes with respect to the State Prison Psychopathic Hospital conflicts with Articles 46.01 and 46.02 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
4.
There is no Right to Treatment Law in the State of Texas.
5.
Individuals certified as sane by the superintendent of the mental hospital are in some cases returned to the hospital after a jury finds that he is still insane.
6.
Individuals certified as sane by the hospital superintendent in some cases wait inordinately long periods of time in jail prior to a sanity restoration hearing in the court.
7.
The existing facilities at the Maximum Security Unit are not sufficient to handle the numbers of patients which are currently hospitalized or which can be expected to be hospitalized in the future.
8.
The Maximum Security Unit is below the median number of physicians of other institutions recently surveyed and below the recommended guidelines previously established by the American Psychiatric Association.
9.
The Maximum Security Unit is below the median number of registered nurses of other institutions recently surveyed and below the recommended guidelines previously established by the American Psychiatric Association.
10.
There are no written regulations for the operation of the seclusion rooms at the Maximum Security Unit.
11.
There are no written regulations for attendants at the Maximum-Security Unit
Temporal perspective in male delinquents and nondelinquents
No full textPurpose:
The purpose of this study was to conduct an empirical investigation to determine whether there exists a significant difference in the temporal perspectives of delinquent and non-delinquent males. It was hoped that the results might provide a better understanding of delinquent behavior and thus make some contribution to its prevention and treatment.
Methods:
Matched samples of delinquent and non-delinquent subjects were shown nine TAT cards. Accompanying the cards was a schedule consisting of eighteen items, two for each card. The items consisted of the beginning portion of a statement regarding the figures in each picture followed by three alternative completions of the statement. Each alternative was in one of the three verbal tenses: past, present, or future. The number of references to each tense were counted to determine the subject's time perspective score.
Findings:
Analysis of the data indicates that the temporal perspective of the delinquent is more present - oriented than that of the non delinquent. In addition, the temporal perspective of the delinquent is equally or more present-oriented than it is past and future oriented; while that of the non delinquent is more past and future oriented than it is present-oriented
Financial impact of the drunken offender on the criminal justice system
No full textPurpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the following: (1) the effects of the punitive and legal sanctions of the criminal justice system to control, reduce, and deter the public drunken offender, (2) the financial cost to the City of Dallas to invoke its criminal sanctions against the public inebriate, (3) alternatives to the present method of criminal prosecution of the public drunken offender. Methods: The methods used to obtain the data for this study were: (1) review of the literature to determine those factors which lead to the criminal prosecution of public intoxicants, (2) evaluation of those established programs used to treat and rehabilitate the drunken offender as opposed to criminal prosecution, (3) description of the present method used by the City of Dallas in dealing with the drunken offender, and (4) development of cost analyses for the drunken offender as he is processed through the criminal justice system of Dallas, Texas. Findings: 1. The legal and punitive approaches of the criminal justice system has not been successful in terring, controlling, and reducing the incidents of public drunkenness. 2. The large majority of arrests for public drunkenness involve individuals who are classified as alcoholics. 3. Alcoholics are sick persons who are victims of a disease which might be cured if adequate treatment were rendered. 4. Treatment and rehabilitation programs could be successful in dealing with alcoholic offenders. 5. The drunken offender is a burden to the police, courts and correctional institutions of this county. Their complete financial impact is immeasurable. 6. The criminal justice system is trying to resolve a problem which is basically a public health issue. 7. The financial impact of the drunken offender is substantial to the City of Dallas with no return on its investment of man hours, resources, and facilities to combat this problem. The mean costs for processing one drunk and disorderly offender through the criminal justice system of Dallas is 52.14. These costs are considered minimal. 8. Alternatives must be developed to the present approach of criminal prosecution of the drunken offender. These alternatives must provide for the treatment and rehabilitation of those offenders classified as alcoholic
Recidivism: perceptions of the judge, the prosecutor, and the inmate
No full textPurpose:
The purpose of this study was to measure and determine the perceived reasons for recidivism as given by recidivists, District Judges, and prosecuting attorneys.
Methods:
Data for this study was collected from 642 Texas Department of Corrections' recidivists, 70 District Judges, and 53 prosecuting attorneys from Texas. The instrument used to collect data was a 70 item questionnaire designed by a team of researchers working through Sam Houston State University and the Texas Department of Corrections.
From the responses obtained through mailed questionnaires, data was analyzed with frequency distribution comparisons and chi square analysis. Nine such comparisons were made in this study.
Findings:
1.
Recidivists tended to place more blame on factors relating to the criminal justice system and little on themselves. Prosecuting attorneys, on the other hand, tended to place little blame on the criminal justice system and much responsibility on the recidivists. District Judges, while agreeing somewhat with the prosecutors, tended to be less extreme
in their opinions.
2.
Older judges and prosecutors tended to be more extreme in their opinions of the recidivism issue. Younger judges and prosecutors, on the other hand, tended to respond in a manner that indicated a more moderate view of the problem.
3.
Judges and prosecutors with less experience as judges and prosecutors tended to be more moderate in their responses than did those judges and prosecutors with more experience. That is to say, those judges and prosecutors with less experience tended to place less of the blame on the recidivists and more on the criminal justice system.
4.
Rural judges and prosecutors tended to indicate more responsibility on the part of the recidivists for recidivism and less on the criminal justice system than did the urban judges and prosecutors
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