Jessica Gale, Jane Clarbour and Kelly Rayner
Literature suggests that mentally disordered offenders are considerably more difficult to treat and slower to respond to psychological treatment. Less is known about the…
Abstract
Purpose
Literature suggests that mentally disordered offenders are considerably more difficult to treat and slower to respond to psychological treatment. Less is known about the particular factors that can contribute to this resistance. A more comprehensive understanding of the factors that treating psychologists feel can promote or inhibit progression through rehabilitative treatment may increase the likelihood of positive clinical outcomes. This paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
Four practising psychologists employed within a male medium- and low-secure forensic unit in the North East of England took part in a semi-structured interview. Their views, opinions and experiences regarding patient progression through treatment pathways were recorded, transcribed and analysed.
Findings
This thematic analysis identified that numerous patient-specific parameters influenced perceived progression, and environmental and external factors had a significant impact on the patients’ expressed attitude towards treatment.
Practical implications
Alongside issues of motivation and engagement, participants identified external factors that influence perceived treatment success with their forensic patients.
Originality/value
Additional research is needed to identify the factors that are the most influential in promoting or inhibiting perceived and actual progress. This will hopefully optimise treatment engagement and the motivation to change problematic behaviours in mentally disordered offenders.
Details
Keywords
Stacey Boardman, Jane Clarbour and Kelly Rayner
In forensic mental health wards, patients spend more time with healthcare assistants (HCAs) than qualified nurses. Despite this, there is no universally utilised standardised HCA…
Abstract
Purpose
In forensic mental health wards, patients spend more time with healthcare assistants (HCAs) than qualified nurses. Despite this, there is no universally utilised standardised HCA training. The purpose of this paper is to assess the HCAs’ experiences in the HCA role in order to better understand how to build on the HCA role to ensure safe practice, and enhance staff well-being.
Design/methodology/approach
HCAs working on low and medium secure NHS forensic mental health units were recruited through purposive methods. HCAs engaged in a semi-structured interview, with questions surrounding their support needs, clinical decision making and perception of risks in the role. Template analysis was used, applying an a priori template based on the existing literature to interview transcripts.
Findings
The participants described the HCA experience to be defined by two master themes: “HCA factors” and “organisational factors”. HCAs valued a holistic patient view which prized patients’ experiences. The participants described a lack of role clarity which may be defined through ward expectations and professional experience.
Originality/value
HCAs seek a holistic view of the patient; however, some overlooked patient offences in order to do their job. Future research should address how looking past offences impacts security and HCAs’ well-being long term.
Details
Keywords
Rachel A. Gibson and Jane Clarbour
The purpose of this paper is to explore the factor structure of the Resiliency Scales for Children and Adolescents (RSCA, Prince-Embury, 2006, 2007) and to provide supporting…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the factor structure of the Resiliency Scales for Children and Adolescents (RSCA, Prince-Embury, 2006, 2007) and to provide supporting evidence that this is a psychometrically sound measure for practitioners and researchers to use to assess resilience in incarcerated male adolescent offenders in the UK.
Design/methodology/approach
Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to determine if the factor structure could be replicated among incarcerated male adolescent offenders. Concurrent validation of the measure was also conducted, utilising the Beck Youth Inventory, second edition (BYI-II-II; Beck et al., 2005).
Findings
CFA of the RSCA was unable to confirm the structure of the measure at an item level, therefore parcelling techniques were utilised similarly to Prince-Embury and Courville (2008), using the subscales for the factors as indicators for the factors. While a three-factor model was found to be an acceptable fit to the data, there was also some support for a two-factor model. Despite this, there was more statistical support for the three-factor model and arguments are made for retaining this structure. Expected associations between the three subscales of sense of mastery, sense of relatedness and emotional reactivity were found with the Beck Youth Inventory demonstrating support for the concurrent validity of the measure in incarcerated male adolescent offenders.
Practical implications
This paper provides support for the internal structure of the RSCA with incarcerated male adolescent offenders within the UK, although some caution should be used when interpreting scores from the subscales. The findings suggest that the RSCA can be utilised by practitioners to identify young people who may benefit from additional support and also in assessment and treatment/intervention planning. This may be particularly useful when practitioners wish to explore the potential protective nature of resilience.
Originality/value
The current study is the first of its kind to formally explore the factor structure of the RSCA with incarcerated male adolescent offenders.
Details
Keywords
Shaunagh MacDonald, Jane Clarbour, Clare Whitton and Kelly Rayner
Previous literature has reported that working with sexual offenders can impact staff negatively (Hatcher and Noakes, 2010). In addition, working with individuals with intellectual…
Abstract
Purpose
Previous literature has reported that working with sexual offenders can impact staff negatively (Hatcher and Noakes, 2010). In addition, working with individuals with intellectual disability also appears to be challenging. There are benefits stated of working with sexual offenders and the purpose of this paper is to seek to highlight the challenges and positive experiences of staff members working with sexual offenders who have autism.
Design/methodology/approach
As working with this population has not been previously investigated, a semi-structured interview was conducted to explore the challenges and benefits of working with this population. Eight participants were interviewed who work on the autism specialist ward at a forensic secure hospital in the UK.
Findings
Template analysis identified three master themes: mediating factors, challenges and consequences, which were incorporated into the Model of Person-Organisation Wellbeing (M-POW). The findings show the specific challenges of working with a population that has not been previously studied.
Research limitations/implications
The study utilised a small, heterogeneous self-selecting sample from one clinical site.
Practical implications
Findings suggest there are a number of specific challenges this staff group face, and steps that can be taken at the personal and organisational level to mediate these. Recommendations are made for how staff are supported in their work from recruitment and induction onwards.
Originality/value
The M-POW highlights mediating factors that can be adjusted to develop more effective coping strategies for working in what, for some, is a challenging environment. This model provides a framework that can be adopted by organisations to ensure that the likelihood of their staff experiencing negative feelings is reduced and also suggests future avenues of research.
Details
Keywords
Ruth Howard, Emma Phipps, Jane Clarbour and Kelly Rayner
People with learning disabilities (LD) often lack necessary support in navigating and coping within the Criminal Justice System (CJS). The purpose of this paper is to explore…
Abstract
Purpose
People with learning disabilities (LD) often lack necessary support in navigating and coping within the Criminal Justice System (CJS). The purpose of this paper is to explore their experiences, from their own perspective, and identify the supports which need to be implemented.
Design/methodology/approach
Focus groups were held with nine patients in a forensic LD service, discussing their experiences and support needs within the CJS. Template analysis was undertaken on the transcripts.
Findings
Four themes were identified: negative feelings, professional attitudes, suitability of the CJS, and supports needed.
Practical implications
This research demonstrates the valuable opinions to be obtained from offenders with LD on their experiences and needs. Implications for the CJS include a need for further awareness, training, and expertise to work effectively with people with LD. Participant perspectives also highlight the importance of consistent liaison and diversion schemes, and indicate that CJS services may have something to learn from healthcare settings.
Originality/value
Previous knowledge of offenders with LD overlooked the perspective of the service user. This research has given this group a voice, and has benefited from their insight. This is a timely piece of research in the current landscape of the CJS, and so these findings may be of practical value to the implementation of supports, particularly the liaison and diversion schemes.
Details
Keywords
Jane L. Ireland, Jackie Bates-Gaston, Kevin Markey, Leah Greenwood and Carol A. Ireland
The purpose of this paper is to provide an evaluation of a cognitive skills programme (Enhanced Thinking Skills) with adult prisoners.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide an evaluation of a cognitive skills programme (Enhanced Thinking Skills) with adult prisoners.
Design/methodology/approach
A pre- and post-treatment design with 171 male prisoners, using self-report psychometric measures.
Findings
Significant differences were found in the direction expected. Clinical recovery using stringent methods was not indicated, although improvement/partial response was across a number of domains.
Practical implications
Expectations for treatment outcome for short-term interventions should be more realistic; cognitive skills programmes may be best considered as precursors to longer term therapies; treatment outcome should focus on improvement and not recovery.
Originality/value
This study represents the first prison study to distinguish between levels of positive change. It questions previous interpretations of treatment outcome.