week 11 (test #3)

Question 1

Prevention begins with what? What does this include and what will this determine? challenges?

Answer 1

Prevention begins with effective ASSESSMENT (offence and behavioural history, status, mental health - self-harm, medical condition, gang associations, custodial/placement history, charges)

These assessments will determine the offender’s placement
challenges:
- have to take space considerations into account (overcrowding is a practical conern)
- placement is challenging with complex cases in the community

Question 2

What are the main factors that drive deaths in custody? How many deaths are there per year?

Answer 2

Substance abuse (upon and post-admisison), natural causes, suicide, inmate/inmate assaults, and violent confrontations with officers

• deaths within 72 hours of arrival > biggest cause of this kind is withdrawal from substances (personal crisis)
• 150-200 deaths per year - each is scrutinized very intensely

Question 3

What are the main factors that drive violent incidents in custody

Answer 3

• personal crisis (ex. loss of freedom - coming back from sentencing hearings with inner turmoil and officers not knowing and then setting them off with something small)
• gang conflicts (recruitment, retaliations)
• predatory behaviour
• non-conformity to prison culture
• excessive deprivation (abusive staff, poor conditions)
• unchecked conflict (and failure to read the signs)
• contraband variables and underlife economics (debt, fear)

*usually it is an intersecting of multiple of these factors
*emergency response teams take 1.5-2 hours to mobilize and respond and usually first have a negotiator go in

Question 4

What are the Mandela Rules?

Answer 4

They are The United Nations Standard Minimum rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (2015) > guidelines for prison management, emphasizing humane treatment, safety, security, and human dignity for prisoners - universally acknowledged blueprint for prison management in the 21st century

Question 5

What is Segregation? What does this include?

Answer 5

Segregation = the use of physical isolation for more than 20 hours/day
- loss of meaningful interaction
- managing and limiting time-in-cell

Can be voluntary and involuntary placements (ex. if there are conflicts with inmates, someone might lash out and hit someone just to be put in segregation so they don’t have to worry about those interactions)
*some inmates have sued corrections for segregating them unnecessarily

Question 6

What are some alternatives to segregation?

Answer 6

Structured Intervention Units (more meaningful interaction, more medical reviews), Closed Confinement, Transitional Units, Interim Control, Temporary Restrictions, etc.

Question 7

What are the 3 drivers of overcrowding and examples?

Answer 7

Drivers can be political, prosecutorial, or from police
- 0 tolerance policies
- breaching cycles

Question 8

Does overcrowding produce more custodial violence incidents? Explain this relationship - what is something that is correlated with the number of custodial incidents?

Answer 8

The connection between overcrowding (high counts) and custodial incidents is not that simple - there is not a direct relationship between these things found in research
*correlation between counts and incident rates is insignificant > Why? > more dense = people more careful about their space and tend to separate more and eat in their cells more and avoid each other more carefully

What does cause more incidents? > there is an age correlations - younger units are slightly more violent

Question 9

What are some things that are correlated with overcrowding? - what does overcrowding produce?

Answer 9

• higher density = less access to resources (inverse correlation)
• higher density increases civil inattention, self-governance, and withdrawal
• overcrowding increases risks associated with infectious disease

*overcrowding and aging infrastructure is a chronic problem in most jurisdictions

Question 10

What was the Arbour Report? What are 2 examples of policies it generated?

Answer 10

(1994) Inquiry into events at the Kingston Prison for Women
- investigated the mistreatment of federally incarcerated women, highlighting systemic issues
- looked at policy violations and abuse
- started to look at how gender is dealt with in custody and generated policy revision across the country
ex.
> female inmate policy framework like same gender searching policies
> trans policy framework like incorporating self-identification into searching policies, assessment tool, and placement guidelines (manitoba at the cutting edge of this)

Question 11

How is gender divided now in Manitoba?

Answer 11

Mixed units have been discontinued in Manitoba, although some custody centres continue to mix populations

Question 12

What are the 2 types of risks to consider in case management?

Answer 12

Static risk : variables that are difficult or impossible to change (ex. history, communities, age, etc.)

Dynamic risk : variables open to change through intervention (ex. education, thought patterns, employment, etc.)

Question 13

What is case management and what are the 3 steps in CM?

Answer 13

Case management > involves matching an inmate’s needs/abilities with programs and services - an ongoing assessment process that describes the whole picture

Step 1: Classification - initial assessment and placement

Step 2: Unit based case management - case contacts, assessments, programming, and release planning

Step 3: Safe release - transportation, clothing, and communication with community partners

Question 14

___% of inmates have substance abuse issues

Answer 14

92

Question 15

What are some common rehabilitative needs that adults in custody experience?

Answer 15

• substance use
• social interaction
• attitude
• employment
• community functioning
• family/marital

Question 16

What are some predictors of rehabilitative needs/criminogenic needs and what are the hardest/most complicated to treat?

Answer 16

• substance abuse
• lack of attachment
• employment problems
• lack of pro-social leisure/activity

most complicated/hard to deal with:
- anti-social peers
- anti-social attitudes
- anti-social personality
- anti-social behaviour

Question 17

What do RNR principles require in terms of treatment in custody

Answer 17

Requires a multi-faceted approach - with broad coordination and engagement

Question 18

What is CBT and what is the issue with it?

Answer 18

CBT = Cognitive Behavioural Therapy > it is a big therapeutic approach to treatment in custody that tries to change the way offenders think
Issue > kind of ignores social factors, deeply entrenched thoughts/behaviours, the inmate’s social setting, and complex needs of the offender

Question 19

Explain the selection bias of assessment tools for risk and treatment

Answer 19

There is some selection bias in these assessment tools that can lead to the overclassification of Black and Indigenous populations
- having to rejig assessment tools to make sure they’re not automatically selecting people who live in certain areas (ex. small communities)

Question 20

What are the levels of tension between treatment and security procedures/needs

Answer 20

Political level - negative public and/or media attention on case management practices for high profile offenders

Work/Cultural level - within penitentiaries/custody centres and between community and custody corrections

Question 21

When are complex cases especially difficult to treat?

Answer 21

Increasingly difficult to treat complex cases that are in high remand and short-sentence populations
- the emphasis becomes more on management and containment rather than treatment

Question 22

What is throughcare and what does it include?

Answer 22

Throughcare is the continuity of treatment across custodial/community settings (complex demands requires this)
- includes ‘wraparound’ models > addressing complexity with diverse coordination of services and making sure everything is in place - very resource intensive (ex. employment, housing, family, resume, etc.)

Question 23

How does a case management approach increasingly apply restorative justice principles to complex cases?

Answer 23

• pre-meetings and careful planning (for release)
• coordination of services
• access driven by low security > Lower security inmates tend to get the most services (but this is kind of opposite of what we need RNR to do)

Question 24

Explain Correctional Officer training

Answer 24

Training typically extends from 8-21 weeks
- includes classroom, operational, and facility specific training
- remedial and mandatory training cycles after they start working too > basically every year going for more training

Question 25

Correctional Officer authority is derived through what?

Answer 25

it is derived through legislation (provincial and/or federal)

Question 26

Explain the mission creep faced by correctional officers?

Answer 26

- They need to have a great mix of skills - including negotiation and mediation skills - static to dynamic, emergency response, program delivery, release planning, case management, use of force, etc. - also have to work well with the supporting agencies (stakeholders) that might provide supervision, release services, or program delivery (including medical staff, trades instructors, chaplaincy/care givers, administrative support, counsellors, etc.) *it's a very diverse group of workers which can be tense because they have different kinds of interactions with inmates and may want to handle things differently

Question 27

What are 5 unique work dynamics that correctional officers deal with?

Answer 27

- shift work and family stressors > spending more time with work partner than spouse (high divorce rates) - traumatic and violent incidents that never leave you - higher risk of exposure to communicable disease - managing risk of victimization and compromise efforts (ex. wpg is small and you can run into inmates once they're out) (another ex. inmates trying to manipulate officers to do things for them) - higher rates of mental disorder (anxiety, panic disorder, PTSD, etc.)

Question 28

What are 4 examples of cultural issues experienced by correctional officers?

Answer 28

- tension between security and treatment - abuse of authority (Particularly in youth centres - power hungry officers) - dark humour and dysfunctional release mechanisms - role/identity - having to decide who you're going to be > firm and fair, the wise governor (knows everything), withdrawn observer (always just watching), the fighter, the cynic, the advocate, etc.

Question 29

Treatment is ________ dependent. Explain

Answer 29

RESOURCE - need money space and time - rehabilitative efforts are normally one of the first things to be cut when there is fiscal/resource pressures - especially difficult in provincial custody bc there is less money and space and time - harder to have good release processes

Question 30

Explain the complications of evaluating treatment strategies and prisons

Answer 30

Complicated because you need longitudinal data to evaluate anything, but treatment strategies are constantly evolving and changing - so how are we supposed to tell if recidivism rates are changing - also complicated because the age variable is often neglected > when you get older as a criminal actor you get tired and eventually just mature out of crime (so if you're released at a very old age you're just less likely to recommit)

Question 31

What are some dangers and benefits of sending offenders to prison

Answer 31

Dangers: - prisonization and the multiplication of new associates in prisons - learning criminal behaviour and justifications (learn how to talk about your past crimes and justify them) Benefits: - the interruption of crime and containment = respite for victims and support agencies - opportunities for assessment and treatment (a reset)

Question 32

How is treatment different in a federal setting?

Answer 32

Higher ratio of staff to residents (mostly smaller groups of less than 80 ppl)

Question 33

Example of gender responsive treatment models? (federal setting)

Answer 33

Women Offender Substance Abuse Programs - multi-stage programming model that offers a continuum of interventions and services from admission to a federal institution until warrant expiry that are matched to women's specific needs including peer support and activities designed to foster a positive culture

Question 34

Describe the aspects of Indigenous Healing Centres/Lodges (treatment in a federal setting)

Answer 34

- have to make agreements with First Nations groups - Council/Elder led - 10 lodges in operation - residential style (only 10 because they’re expensive and take property, they require a specific kind of prisoner to go into them and you need to find a prisoner willing to move there possibly away from family → also difficult to find Elders to want to work in there) - gravitate to low security populations and low counts

Question 35

When are the sentencing milestones for federal offenders with fixed sentences (eligibility for day parole, full parole, statutory release, warrant expiry date, long-term supervision orders)

Answer 35

Day parole: - at the one-sixth point of the sentence Full parole: - one-third of the sentence or seven years, whichever is less Statutory release: - an automatic conditional release with supervision - two-thirds of the sentence - remission is earned (every good day served gets 1.5 days taken off sentence) Warrant Expiry: - end of sentence Offenders with long-term supervision orders: - supervision up to 10 years after the end of sentence

Question 36

What is the purpose of the interval process for sentencing milestones?

Answer 36

The intervals are based on the idea that a cut and dry sentence expiry doesn’t give any incentive and doesn’t work - a supervised release can give an idea of what they're doing and how they're functioning in the community - federal custody is mostly integrating the interval release stages

Question 37

What is remmission?

Answer 37

Additional time credit for good behaviour and compliance, which may be forfeited

Question 38

Define reintegration, pains of re-entry, and post-incarceration syndrome

Answer 38

Reintegration - attempts to prepare the offender for release into a community after imprisonment Pains of re-entry - obstacles to community integration (ex. stigma, skills, associations, temptations, etc.) - the longer you're in the harder it is to get out Post-incarceration syndrome - mental health problems associated with institutionalized individuals

Question 39

What is the intention of early release? What are 3 different steps/stages of early release?

Answer 39

Intention is to assess an offender's ability to adapt and integrate - probation and parole (longer term, actual living conditions) - temporary absence programs (more activity based like for a funeral) > remand populations are not eligible for this - have to stay in custody until their trial - visiting programs - in-person visits no longer behind glass - giving them exposure and contact with people can be important

Question 40

How are parole boards involved in remission and early release? What are the critiques of this role of parole boards

Answer 40

Parole board (federal) will access various reports, review behaviour, progress, impact statements, letters, assessments, etc. before approving release Critiques: - unstructured interviews (often not face to face), lacking standardized criteria - paper processes tend to dominate - minimal in-person evaluation - lack of diversity and training - positions appointed by government as a form of patronage - too much discretion - often operating with their gut - very subjective process

Question 41

What kind of information do victims have the right to? What are some examples of the safety/security considerations of the release of information to vicitms?

Answer 41

Under the Victims Bill of Rights (national) and provincial legislation, victims may request information about release dates, conditions, hearings, and location of the offender Safety/Security considerations that the release of information is subject to: - PSR information and how to contribute to report content - who is responsible for community supervision and conditions - warrant expiry and release dates, including conditions - consultation before any approvals - the location of the accused, including transfers, escapes, etc. - notification if the accused dies - requesting a meeting with the offender to discuss the impact of the offence, or for restitution (if the offender is interested and willing) - victims are not always pure angels > they may want to get information for revenge (could be a rival gang member)

Question 42

What is victim services?

Answer 42

They work with victims to ensure that their rights are satisfied - it was a big change when this developed - historically this was an independent process - are there to become that primary point of contact for victims (much better because now it all goes through just one point of contact)

Question 43

When is it possible to deny release at statutory release or earliest release date?

Answer 43

- if it's likely that the offender will commit an offence causing death or serious harm to another person (direct threat - could release and then re-arrest and re-charge) - if Mental Health Act provisions apply (ex. psychiatric evaluation) - an evaluation ordered might just postpone release a few days

Question 44

What is a community notification?

Answer 44

When police or another agency notifies a community about the presence of a high-risk offender - very hesitant to provide these notifications - has to be so much risk - Community Notification Advisory Committee (MB) - reviews notification requirement for convicted sex offenders - child abuse registry check or adult abuse registry check (CARC, AARC), and national sex offender registry database > can flag issues longterm (but doesn't actually stop them from behaving badly)

Question 45

What "sides" are due process models and crime control models on When risk escalates, what model do we shift to

Answer 45

Due process errs on the side of the offender, while crime control errs on the side of protecting society/victims If the level of risk escalates (perceived or real), there is a tendency to move away from due process and toward crime control

Question 46

What does due process model focus on in a treatment/rehabilitative context? What are some of the practical questions/concerns

Answer 46

Due process places more emphasis on the consensual participation of the offender - but what do you do if the offender refuses to participate? (forfeiture of remission - only delays release, mental health form - maybe delays a little longer, community notification?) - should we limit consent to treatment? how do we make treatment compulsory?