Journal of Correctional Health Care RSS feed -- OnlineFirst Articles

Epidemiological Criminology: Drug Use Among African American Gang Members

Lanier, M. M., Pack, R. P., Akers, T. A. — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:07:27 PDT

Epidemiological methods and public health theories can be tied to theories of crime and delinquency and used to create evidence-based policy. Interdisciplinary theoretical approaches to existing, and emerging, public health and criminal justice problems hold great promise. Differential association theory postulates that close association with delinquent peers leads to an increase in deviant activities such as illicit drug use. Social cognitive theory postulates that health behavior change is driven by the interaction of (a) cognitive states that support a health outcome, (b) the social and contextual environment, (c) and individual action. Combined, these theories can be applied to drug eradication programs as well as other health and crime issues. Focus groups and interviews were performed to identify rates of illicit substance use among incarcerated African American adolescent male gang members and nongang members. The policy recommendations illustrate the convergence of criminological and epidemiological theory under the new paradigm of epidemiological criminology or "EpiCrim."

Self-Injurious Behavior in Correctional Settings

Fagan, T. J., Cox, J., Helfand, S. J., Aufderheide, D. — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:49:46 PDT

This article reviews the literature concerning self-injury among criminal offenders. It describes many of the problems, barriers, and obstacles to effective assessment and treatment of self-injury and discusses the absence of a clear paradigm within which to develop a classification system and standardized nomenclature to describe the spectrum of self-injurious behaviors. This article distinguishes between self-injury resulting from suicidal versus nonsuicidal intent, presents treatment strategies for managing each, and concludes with a proposed set of eight recommended goals for creating a national strategy to develop self-injury programming in correctional settings.

Development and Evaluation of a Psychometric Instrument Designed to Assess HIV Risk Behaviors of Prison Inmates

Balogun, J. A., Abiona, T. C., Lukobo-Durrell, M., Adefuye, A. S., Sloan, P. E. — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:49:46 PDT

Clinicians and researchers interested in HIV interventions for prisoners lack an appropriate psychometric instrument to assess HIV risk behaviors. This study evaluated the readability and internal consistency of a questionnaire designed to assess such behaviors. The questionnaire was administered to 277 inmates. The Flesch Reading Ease score was 78.3 with a Flesch-Kincaid grade level of 3.7, suggesting limited comprehension difficulties. Internal consistency was evaluated by determining Cronbach’s alpha (C) for total items and for each subscale. Following factor analyses, 25 items converged into five subscales and combined they account for 72% of the variance. The overall C was .86 and the subscales C ranged from .82 to .98. Findings reveal that the questionnaire is internally consistent and suitable for use with prisoners with low literacy skills. The use of this instrument for intervention studies in prisons has the potential to reduce inmates' HIV risk behaviors.

Barriers and Facilitators: Parolees' Perceptions of Community Health Care

Marlow, E., White, M. C., Chesla, C. A. — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:49:45 PDT

Paroled individuals have physical and mental health problems and addiction disorders at rates greater than the general population. The aim of this study was to identify the perceived barriers and facilitators parolees encounter in their efforts to access and utilize health care services in the community. Qualitative data were collected via individual interviews with 17 chronically ill, middle-aged male parolees. Study results included financial and administrative barriers to care; structural facilitators to care; and the influence of clinicians' professional demeanor on health care access. Increased access to health care can provide opportunities to address both the health care and reintegration needs of individuals on parole.