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Date: April 29, 2024 Mon
Time: 8:04 pm
Time: 8:04 pm
Results for male inmates
4 results foundAuthor: Cooper, Maxine Title: The rehabilitation of male detainees at the Alexander Maconochie Centre Summary: The Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC) provides the ACT with its own prison. It was to be the first human rights-compliant prison in Australia. It accepted its first detainees in March 2009, having officially opened in September 2008. From 2004 to 2009, ACT Government statements and documents, which presented the philosophy for operating the AMC, consistently emphasised the importance of rehabilitation. A range of rehabilitation objectives were presented: reducing offending behaviour; and encouraging detainees to seek self-improvement, fulfil their potential and lead successful lives in the community. Male detainees are the focus of this performance audit as female detainees were the subject of an independent review in 2014 by the ACT Human Rights Commission. The Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC) is a relatively new prison. It incorporates innovative, human rights planning and design, expected to provide an environment to support and foster detainee rehabilitation. This has been compromised due to its relatively small size, multiple classifications, detainee association issues, mixed genders and the unexpected adverse affects of the interaction of these factors with the AMC's design. Lack of continuity in senior management in the first few years of operation contributed to the difficulties. More recently management practices have been effective in fostering improvements including a 'culture change', which emphasises respect in detainee and staff relationships, and have resulted in reductions in the use of force and lockdown hours. These improvements contribute to a healthier context for rehabilitating detainees. AMC planning for rehabilitation is ineffective as there is no rehabilitation planning framework, no evaluation framework and no finalised case management policy framework. With respect to management practices, while there have been improvements, there are inadequacies that need to be addressed including improving business planning, internal performance measures and routine quality assurance and evaluation of programs. As the prison population has increased, the ACT's detainee costs per day and utilisation rates have trended towards the Australian average. However, determining the effectiveness or efficiency of rehabilitation is problematic as there are no generally accepted comprehensive performance measures that can be used for this purpose and there is limited information on rehabilitation costs. Developing these measures will require a national approach and it would be unreasonable to expect the ACT to invest heavily in this given that it is a small jurisdiction with only one prison. Due to the lack of comprehensive performance measures and cost information an overall assessment of effectiveness or efficiency of AMC operations with respect to rehabilitation was not able to be made. However, the proposed levels of rehabilitation activities and services, as anticipated in planning (prior to the opening of the AMC), were assessed and found to be inadequate. Importantly this means a 'structured day' with 'purposeful activity' is not being achieved for many detainees. It is therefore likely that some detainees are bored and this can compromise their rehabilitation. The information management systems used at the AMC are inadequate. While action is underway to make improvements, it is important that priority be given to making the necessary changes as quickly as possible. Details: Canberra: Australia Capital City Auditor General, 2015. 205p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 16, 2015 at: http://www.audit.act.gov.au/auditreports/reports2015/Report%20No.%202%20of%202015%20The%20Rehabilitation%20of%20male%20detainees%20at%20the%20Alexander%20Maconochie%20Centre.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Australia URL: http://www.audit.act.gov.au/auditreports/reports2015/Report%20No.%202%20of%202015%20The%20Rehabilitation%20of%20male%20detainees%20at%20the%20Alexander%20Maconochie%20Centre.pdf Shelf Number: 135440 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsMale InmatesMale PrisonersPrisonsRehabilitation |
Author: Gordon, Liz Title: Formative Evaluation report Summary: This brief formative evaluation examines issues arising from the development of a Pillars family/whanau re-integration programme in May and June 2011. The evaluation report is to be submitted to the Department of Corrections along with the written programme and materials that have been developed into the Close to Home package. Most prisoners are parents, and most do not keep in good touch with their children and whanau through the sentence. Yet the research makes it clear that prisoners who get good support from their families/whanau are far less likely to re-offend than those who do not. A range of programmes were researched in developing the programme, and include information on what kind of programme, eligibility issues, length, content and actual and expected outcomes for the courses. This information was used in developing the structure and content of Close to Home. The programme was developed over 6-8 weeks and has been written as a programme workbook for delivery. It is summarised in this report. Features of the programme include: the use of high quality assessment tools and workbooks that have been developed for other programmes; a significant amount of work with the prisoner and whanau present; a strong focus on planning reintegration; and the use of a range of agencies through the Strengthening Families process to facilitate prisoner re-entry. This approach allows for the particular issues facing individual families to be addressed, and for families/whanau to have access to the resources of a wide range of agencies. The programme The programme involves significant pre-release work and also post-release guiding and support. Stakeholders support family/whanau re-integration, although they have a range of different views as to what it entails. There is acknowledgement that prisons currently have not focussed adequately on the role of the family/whanau, nor on the prisoner as a parent. The project materials were analysed. A wide range of good quality materials are available and will be used at various points through the pilot project. Core tools include the Time's Up workbook and the assessment tools, among others. The main findings of the formative evaluation are that a very effective programme has been assembled using a range of resources from a variety of sources. Key risks include the need to bring in a new staff member for the pilot programme phase, and the difficulties in tailoring courses to individual needs. The main risk for the pilot programme is timeliness, as all aspects of the programme will need to be complete within three months. Details: Christchurch, NZ: Pukeko Research Ltd., 2012. 26p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 10, 2016 at: http://www.pillars.org.nz/images/stories/pdfs/formative_evaluation_of_close_to_home.pdf Year: 2012 Country: New Zealand URL: http://www.pillars.org.nz/images/stories/pdfs/formative_evaluation_of_close_to_home.pdf Shelf Number: 137834 Keywords: Children of PrisonersCorrectional ProgramsFamilies of InmatesMale InmatesMale PrisonersPrisoner ReentryPrisoner RehabilitationReintegration |
Author: Gordon, Liz Title: Formative Evaluation of the Activities Centre at Christchurch Men's Prison Summary: Should children visit their incarcerated parent in prison? Do prison policies and practices impede or support the maintenance of prisoners' family ties? These questions have been the focus of research both internationally and in New Zealand. The Pillars Inc research project (Gordon, 2009, 2011) which examined the situation of the children of prisoners in New Zealand, found that regulations around prison visiting had become much more stringent in recent years and few opportunities were evident for active parenting in the prison environment. Following Gordon's research, a joint prison/Pillars committee has worked to set up a pilot Activities Centre in the low security visiting area of Christchurch Men's Prison. The Centre's aim was to facilitate father and child bonding and contribute to better family outcomes. In conjunction with this initiative, an evaluation project was undertaken between April and June 2012. The evaluation data was gathered from a number of sources: a review of literature, paperwork, meeting minutes and materials associated with the Centre's background and development; attendance at the Centre over two days to observe, write field notes and undertake evaluative interviews with prisoners and their families; a series of stakeholder interviews. Setting up the Activities Centre was shared, using a task-orientated action model; Pillars were responsible for stocking and staffing the Centre, and Corrections undertook the capital development and furnishings. Preparations went smoothly. Three existing rooms in the visiting centre in Christchurch Mens' Prison were furnished as Arts and Crafts, reading and DVD rooms. The outdoor area was also improved, with a series of painted panels plus the addition of a hopscotch area. High quality toys, games, books and DVDs were purchased. The dates and times of the rooms' availability were well advertised beforehand and visitors could book half hour slots in advance. Although booking was minimal, over the two days that the Activities Centre was evaluated, rooms were full with families at all times. The evaluation visits identified some resource and management issues in accommodating the demand for rooms. Some conditions, such as not taking books, toys etc out of specified rooms, were relaxed in the interest of the families and children. The observer's notes provide a picture of the families' use of the Activities Centre and show that the initiative was highly successful, encouraging 'more normal' parental interactions with children, also providing privacy and quiet. In some cases some transformational changes in children's demeanour and behaviour were observed. The brief survey, undertaken with fourteen families over the two days, revealed that the families clearly enjoyed the space and the only complaint was that the Activities Centre was closed too often. The most popular activities are drawing, colouring and stickers, followed by dolls and cars. Overall the satisfaction ratings for the Activities Centre were very high. Providing adequate staffing was the most problematic issue as volunteers were hard to find. Consequently the centre was run by a Pillars social worker, who was paid for this work. This person believes that two paid staff should be employed to run the Activities Centre. This would allow the centre to open each week and volunteers could still be used as support. The advantage of paid staff is experience, adequate ongoing training, and possibly better skills. However, the need for staffing may make it less likely that other prisons might adopt a similar model. The stakeholders interviewed, consisting of two Corrections staff, two Pillars staff and one volunteer, were strongly supportive of children visiting their parents in prison; in particular, they found value in many aspects of the Activities Centre. The comments mainly focussed on relationship issues and the opportunity for parenting in the prison environment. However, stakeholders also agreed that more needed to be done generally to improve parent/child relationships when a parent is in prison and all offered suggestions about this. Several stakeholders cautioned that the existence and relatively cheap transformation of the rooms was a bonus, but they raised issues about (a) whether this is the best model and (b) whether it is replicable. Various institutional factors were also mentioned. The establishment of a pilot Activities Centre at Christchurch Mens' Prison facilitates father and child bonding and contributes to better family outcomes. The potential benefit of this initiative is clear and other correctional facilities in New Zealand might consider adopting a similar workable model. Details: Christchurch, NZ: Pukeko Research Ltd, 2012. 29p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 11, 2016 at: http://www.pillars.org.nz/images/stories/pdfs/ac_evaluation_report.pdf Year: 2012 Country: New Zealand URL: http://www.pillars.org.nz/images/stories/pdfs/ac_evaluation_report.pdf Shelf Number: 137841 Keywords: Children of PrisonersCorrectional ProgramsFamilies of InmatesMale InmatesMale PrisonersParenting |
Author: Ugwudike, Pamela Title: Evaluation of Pact's Supporting Young Parents in Prison Project Summary: The Supporting Young Fathers in Prison (SYFP) project is delivered by Pact Cymru in prisons across Wales. The project advocates on behalf of young fathers in prison and their families. It brokers relevant services, provides therapeutic support, facilitates parenting efficacy, supports efforts to build relationships, and strengthens family ties. Pact Cymru deliver this service through its prison-based Family Engagement Service (FES), and in collaboration with services within the prison and the wider community. Volunteers, Family Engagement Managers, and Family Engagement Coordinators offer one-to-one casework support to the men in prison and their families, refer them to relevant services, deliver parenting programmes, relationship courses and other related courses, help the men maintain contact with family members by organizing extra prison visits in family-friendly settings, and provide additional services to enhance the quality and outcome of prison visits for the men and their families. The SYFP project's primary aim is to help men in prison engage with their families (their partners and children), to reduce the social isolation and traumatic impact of the separation associated with imprisonment. The project supports the men's efforts to maintain contact with their families and build good quality relationships. There is substantial research evidence that maintaining family ties during imprisonment can improve prisoners' behaviour, contribute to order in prison, reduce rates of longer term reoffending, and facilitate successful resettlement (Farmer 2017; HM Inspectorate of Prisons 2014; Markson et al. 2015). The SYFP project also aims to direct parents in prison and their families to relevant services, improve the emotional and mental wellbeing of children affected by parental imprisonment, reduce the risk of intergenerational offending and encourage good practice in the field of family support within the prions and the wider community. An additional aim is to develop good practice in the field of family support work within prisons and evaluate future provision across the prison estate. This report presents the findings of an evaluation of SYFP. Pact Cymru commissioned the evaluation which generated qualitative and quantitative data to assess the quality and impact of service delivery by examining three key themes: - The processes of service delivery - The ways in which service delivery contribute the aforementioned primary aims - How best to develop good practice and evaluate future provision across the prison estate. The evaluation generated data from 50 semi-structured interviews. Pact workers, prison staff and men in three prisons (Prison A, Prison B and Prison C participated in the interviews and family members were also interviewed. In addition, quantitative data generated from prisoners before and after their involvement with the SYFP project were analyzed. Findings reveal that the project is not only considered to be vital by those delivering the project and the service users, it is also viewed as an indispensable service; there is no alternative provision in place within the Prisons visited. So far, the SYFP project has supported men in prison and their families by advocating on their behalf, brokering relevant services, providing therapeutic support, supporting parenting efficacy, building relationships, and strengthening family ties. The key findings of this evaluation are summarized below. - The SYFP project broadens participation by disseminating information about the service in prison wings through volunteers, workers, peer mentors and others delivering the service, and also by displaying information flyers and hosting promotional activities. - The SYFP project delivers its aim of improving the levels and quality of contact between men and prison and their families by organizing extra prison visits in more conducive settings. This is the provision the men and their families access the most. - Men in prison believe that the SYFP project improves the frequency of contact and quality of relationships with their families and strengthens the bonds between them. It also improves their parenting ability, emotional wellbeing and behaviour. - Staff and volunteers delivering the SYFP project provide extensive advocacy services. For example, they liaise with social services, visit schools to advocate on behalf of children affected by parental imprisonment. - The service provides individualized support that is tailored to suit the needs of each parent in prison and his family. This approach is consistent with research which suggests that service users are more likely to engage with, and benefit from individualized services. - Additional support provided by the SYFP project include brokering social welfare support for prisoners and their families. The extant international literature on evidencebased practice and key models of rehabilitation strongly emphasize that brokering access to relevant services can aid the desistance process. - The SYFP project is desistance-focused; its role in strengthening bonds between prisoners and their families can encourage desistance. The desistance research literature emphasises that bonds with non-criminogenic family members promote desistance. - The SYFP project provides opportunities for prisoners and their families to maintain ties and relationships. In doing so, the service aligns itself with research which emphasizes the role of families in supporting resettlement. - The consensus amongst all those who participated in this evaluation is that Supporting Young Fathers in Prison project is an indispensable service and no other agency in the three participating prisons provides similar family support services Details: Southampton, UI: University of Southampton, Department of Sociology, Social policy and Criminology, 2017. 90p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 9, 2018 at: https://www.nicco.org.uk/userfiles/downloads/5ac606fc5f959-dr-pamela-ugwudike-pact-sypp-evaluation-report-2017.pdf Year: 2017 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.nicco.org.uk/userfiles/downloads/5ac606fc5f959-dr-pamela-ugwudike-pact-sypp-evaluation-report-2017.pdf Shelf Number: 150776 Keywords: Children of PrisonersFamilies of InmatesMale Inmates |