Probation Progress

Mode of access: Internet.

Development of Knowledge Domains and an Instrument to Assess Probation Officers’ Knowledge of Offenders with Intellectual Disabilities

The purpose of this study was to develop knowledge domains and an instrument to assess probation officers’ knowledge levels of offenders with intellectual disabilities by utilizing a synthesis of subject matter analysis technique and a comprehensive review of literature. Results can be used to develop effective training for probation officers.

Too young to drink but old enough to drive under the influence : a study of underage offenders as seen in substance abuse treatment in Texas

Driving under the influence (DUI) is a major road safety problem. Historically, alcohol has been assumed to play a larger role in crashes and DUI education programs have reflected this assumption, although recent evidence suggests that younger drivers are becoming more likely to drive drugged than to drive drunk. This is a study of 7096 Texas clients under age 21 who were admitted to state-funded treatment programs between 1997 and 2007 with a past-year DUI arrest, DUI probation, or DUI referral. Data were obtained from the State’s administrative dataset. Multivariate logistic regressions models were used to understand the differences between those minors entering treatment as a DUI as compared to a non-DUI as well as the risks for completing treatment and for being abstinent in the month prior to follow-up. A major finding was that over time, the primary problem for underage DUI drivers changed from alcohol to marijuana. Being abstinent in the month prior to discharge, having a primary problem with alcohol rather than another drug, and having more family involved were the strongest predictors of treatment completion. Living in a household where the client was exposed to alcohol abuse or drug use, having been in residential treatment, and having more drug and alcohol and family problems were the strongest predictors of not being abstinent at follow-up. As a result, there is a need to direct more attention towards meeting the needs of the young DUI population through programs that address drug as well as alcohol consumption problems.

Beyond sanctions : is there a need to treat first-time offenders?

Aims: Driving Under the Influence (DUI) enforcement can be a broad screening mechanism for alcohol and other drug problems. The current response to DUI is focused on using mechanical means to prevent inebriated persons from driving, with little attention the underlying substance abuse problems. ---------- Methods: This is a secondary analysis of an administrative dataset of over 345,000 individuals who entered Texas substance abuse treatment between 2005 and 2008. Of these, 36,372 were either on DUI probation, referred to treatment by probation, or had a DUI arrest in the past year. The DUI offenders were compared on demographic characteristics, substance use patterns, and levels of impairment with those who were not DUI offenders and first DUI offenders were compared with those with more than one past-year offense. T tests and chi square tests were used to determine significance. ---------- Results: DUI offenders were more likely to be employed, to have a problem with alcohol, to report more past-year arrests for any offense, to be older, and to have used alcohol and drugs longer than the non-DUI clients who reported higher ASI scores and were more likely to use daily. Those with one past-year DUI arrest were more likely to have problems with drugs other than alcohol and were less impaired than those with two or more arrests based on their ASI scores and daily use. Non-DUI clients reported higher levels of mood disorders than DUIs but there was no difference in their diagnosis of anxiety. Similar findings were found between those with one or multiple DUI arrests. ----------Conclusion: Although first-time DUIs were not as impaired as non-DUI clients, their levels of impairment were sufficient to cause treatment. Screening and brief intervention at arrest for all DUI offenders and treatment in combination with abstinence monitoring could decrease future recidivism.

Transitioning to practice across the professions : some lessons from the teaching profession

Across the professions, there is strong interest in the transition between graduation and early stages of professional practice. Our initial literature search revealed that this period of transition is significant to professions that include nursing, vets, midwives, financial planners, lawyers, occupational therapists, doctors as well as our particular area of interest - teachers. This importance is easy to understand for in these applied fields new graduates need to be competent in applying and synthesizing their theoretical content knowledge on a daily basis, often with limited supervision and mentoring (Goetz, Tombs & Hampton, 2005). As such, this transition period is of critical importance to the individual and their feelings of competence and early profession learning. An added layer for graduates in these professions during this transition/probation period is that they are also expected to have well-developed 'soft skills' such as communication, problem solving, and teamwork (Oblinger & Verville, 1998; Rao & Sylvester, 2000) in order to be effective in their roles.

Characteristics of Impaired Drivers Who Enter Substance Abuse Treatment

Driving under the influence (DUI) remains a serious concern. Most of the data on characteristics of DUI offenders come from driving records, with little data on the levels of impairment of DUI arrestees. This paper examines data on 103,181DUI offenders admitted to Texas treatment programs between 1988 and 2008. They reported past-year DUI arrests or came to treatment on DUI probation. The changes in the characteristics of DUI offenders over time are examined, along with the factors associated with treatment completion and abstinence 90 days after program discharge. Incorporation of substance abuse treatment with effective DUI education and intervention can improve road safety and reduce the burden of substance-related illness.

Victims Speak: Comparing Child Sexual Abusers and Their Victims Accounts of Offence Circumstances

This article presents findings from a longitudinal study. The research aimed to explore the effectiveness of a treatment program for offenders which lasted for three years. The research design was structured around the program with interviews and psychometric testing undertaken at key points in time with the same group of respondents. View all notes that sought to evaluate a treatment program for child sexual abusers. A triangulated methodological approach was adopted drawing upon quantitative and qualitative methodological techniques. The focus here is upon one element of this research. 2 2The quantitative element of this research will be published shortly but is referred to in the following reports Davidson 2000, 2003 [research funded by the National Probation Service]. Psychometric testing was undertaken over a four-year period with the men attending the treatment program to explore shifts in the extent of denial, blame attribution, and victim empathy over time. Offender cognitive distortions, general health, and self-esteem were also explored via psychometric testing. An interview-administered survey was undertaken with all sex offenders registered with the Probation Service (those on probation and in custody) in order to gather demographic data, and 117 of 150 offenders responded. View all notes Ninety-one in-depth interviews were conducted over a four-year period with a small, nonrandom sample of twenty-one male offenders who had been convicted of sexual offenses against children. All of the men were subject to probation orders with a psychiatric condition (Criminal Justice Act, 1991). One of the aims of this element of the research was to explore the extent to which evidence of denial could be found in offenders’ accounts of offense circumstance and also to explore the extent to which offenders minimized the nature and extent of abuse perpetrated. Offenders’ accounts of offense circumstances were compared to victim statements, and stark differences emerge. These findings have considerable implications for treatment practice with sex offenders, where victims’ perceptions could be used to directly confront offender denial and minimization.

Basic education for offenders

ILLITERACY is now increasingly recognised as a serious social problem. UNESCO defines literacy in the following way :- "A person is literate when he has acquired the essential knowledge skills that enable him to engage in all those activities in which literacy is required for effective functioning in his group and community" This is in fact seeing the problem in terms of functional literacy. As the demands of an increasingly industrial society grow, more and more people who are functionally illiterate are appearing. Many do not have the functional skills required to enable them to apply for a job. This inability to obtain work is common among clients of the probation service. Literacy has become so important in our society, that to be unable to read and write causes great feeling of isolation, of being different and inferior, which often leads the illiterate to join a group where this deficiency is unknown and where he can gain some status. This is often a delinquent group.

The feasibility, delivery and cost effectiveness of drink driving interventions : a qualitative analysis of professional stakeholders

Many intervention programs have been designed to decrease the rate of drink driving by altering the behavioural characteristics that may lead a person to drink and drive. However, most programs target high risk and repeat offenders. There is very little research on the feasibility and effectiveness of first offender programs. This project is part of a larger program of research that focuses on first time offenders, in order to reduce the rate of subsequent drink driving which may result in a repeat offence. A number of professional stakeholders were approached and interviewed with a view to capturing and reflecting current drink driving related concerns while developing an intervention in the context of Australian drink driving related legislation. The qualitative interviews involved open ended questioning which led to the themes discussed in the analysis. Included in the interviews were senior representatives from the Magistrates Court, Queensland Transport, Probation & Parole, Queensland Corrective Services, Royal Automobile Club Queensland (RACQ), Intraface Consulting (drug & alcohol EAP), Brisbane Police Prosecution Corps, Queensland Police Service and private practice psychology. Issues such as delivery of interventions, feasibility and cost-effectiveness were discussed, as were potential content and design. It was generally agreed that a tailored online intervention imposed as a sentencing option would be the most effective for first time offenders in terms of cost, ease of delivery and feasibility. The development of an online intervention program for first offenders is widely supported by professional stakeholders.

Subjektu egozgarri eta arriskutsuen tratamendu penala

[ES]El presente Trabajo de Fin de Grado analiza el tratamiento penal de los sujetos imputables peligrosos que mantienen la peligrosidad criminal tras el cumplimiento de la pena de prisión. De esta manera, se investiga la regulación jurídica española dirigida a este colectivo, poniendo de manifiesto que hasta la entrada en vigor de la Ley Orgánica 5/2010 de reforma del Código Penal no había prevista ninguna medida de seguridad enfocada a este grupo específico y concluyendo que la medida de “libertad vigilada” introducida en dicha reforma no es del todo efectiva para alcanzar la reinserción del reo. Por todo ello, se argumenta que la política criminal llevada a cabo en los últimos años ha llevado la seguridad a un extremo tal que no se han podido garantizar del todo los derechos individuales del colectivo anteriormente mencionado. Asimismo, se investiga la “custodia de seguridad” vigente en la regulación alemana, haciendo notoria la importancia de la seguridad e inocuización. En síntesis, se estudia si el delincuente ha quedado subordinado al orden jurídico y a la seguridad, esclareciendo si han sido respetados los principios y garantías inherentes a un Estado Social y Democrático de Derecho.

Cada pena a seu tempo: o monitoramento eletrônico como sanção no Direito Penal brasileiro

A presente tese tem por objetivo central investigar a legitimidade da adoção do monitoramento eletrônico como sanção autônoma no sistema de justiça penal brasileiro. Para tanto, parte-se da perspectiva do controle social formal no contexto das sociedades tecnológicas e de riscos, no qual a prisão e o monitoramento estão inseridos, e traça-se um paralelo entre as sanções penais adotadas ao longo do desenvolvimento do Direito Penal e a evolução da sociedade. Enfocando o instituto do monitoramento eletrônico de presos, a tese aborda seu conceito, origens, espécies, evolução tecnológica, finalidades, modelos e aspectos constitucionais, tanto no Brasil, como em outros países. A partir de uma análise crítica de seu tratamento normativo, a nível federal e estadual, formulam-se proposições com o objetivo de preservar os direitos individuais dos monitorados, garantindo-se a idoneidade do sistema de monitoramento eletrônico como espécie de sanção penal, em harmonia com as finalidades preventiva e retributiva da pena, mas sem se descurar da sua potencialidade como instrumento de redução da superpopulação carcerária brasileira.

Um psicanalista no hospital geral: possibilidades e limites de atuação

Desde a criação do instituto de Berlim, em 1919, primeiro serviço ambulatorial em que psicanalistas prestavam assistência aos neuróticos de guerra, a psicanálise não mais se limita às quatro paredes de um consultório particular. A aplicação da psicanálise se dá nas mais diversas instituições e o hospital geral é uma delas. Portanto, esse trabalho é resultado de um estudo realizado durante o estágio que fazia parte do programa da especialização em Psicologia Hospitalar do Instituto Central do Hospital das Clínicas de São Paulo. Além disso, encontra-se aqui também experiências decorrentes de nossa experiência enquanto pesquisador auxiliar do mesmo instituto. Assim, atendimentos à beira dos leitos do pronto socorro, de unidades de tratamento intensivo, de enfermaria, além de atendimentos ambulatoriais, discussão de casos e o trabalho de consultoria e interconsultoria com equipes multiprofissionais, são relatados nesta dissertação, numa tentativa de seguir a indicação freudiana de que, em Psicanálise, clinica e pesquisa coincidem. O objetivo principal deste trabalho foi dissertar sobre as possibilidades e limites de atuação do analista em um hospital geral, partindo da indicação lacaniana de que todo discurso traz em sua estrutura a marca do real, ou seja, o impossível de coincidir seu produto com a verdade, que é sempre não toda. Para isso, coloca-se em relevo a necessidade do retorno de cada um psicanalista aos fundamentos da teoria freudiana e da técnica da psicanálise para que possa não só entrar, mas se inserir em uma equipe multiprofissional. Além disso, partimos da teoria dos quatro discursos de Jacques Lacan para diferenciar a ética da psicanálise da ética aristotélica e a ética dos bens. Isso se faz importante para evidenciar que os limites de atuação de um analista no contexto hospitalar são mais éticos do que burocráticos. Posteriormente, considerando a avaliação como um dos principais efeitos do discurso capitalista no hospital, discutimos o sentido do significante eficácia em psicanálise, ao se diferenciar eficácia simbólica de eficácia analítica. Finalmente, delimitamos que as especificidades de atuação do analista no hospital refere-se ao método e não à teoria e, com isso, propomos a localização subjetiva como o que geralmente se faz possível no hospital em termos de entrevistas preliminares

Residência Pedagógica: criando caminhos para o desenvolvimento profissional docente

Esta dissertação se insere nos estudos da linha de pesquisa Formação de Professores, História, Memória e Práticas Educativas do Mestrado em Educação da Faculdade de Formação de Professores da Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ). Trata-se de uma pesquisa sobre programa de inserção profissional, denominado Residência Pedagógica, realizado na rede municipal de educação de Niterói no ano de 2011. O presente trabalho se desenvolverá a partir da seguinte questão: quais as possibilidades e a relevância desse modelo de inserção profissional docente? Para responder a esse questionamento, foi definido como objetivo geral investigar o modelo de formação implementado no primeiro ano de estágio probatório para os professores ingressantes. Em termos metodológicos, a pesquisa se constitui em um estudo de caso, que descreve o modelo proposto e analisa a complexidade de um processo de formação docente em serviço em parceria com uma universidade pública. Propomos traçar um panorama sobre os docentes em exercício, que atuaram como professores residentes e as condições da formação destes profissionais. Compõe ainda como estratégias metodológicas a utilização de entrevistas, o levantamento e exame da legislação vigente e a análise de documentos produzidos sobre a Residência Pedagógica. O referencial teórico adotado para embasar a questão aqui apresentada centra-se principalmente nas contribuições de Nóvoa e Marcelo Garcia para refletirmos sobre a relevância dos anos iniciais da docência e desenvolvimento profissional docente, e Fontoura e Cavaco, com relação à importância de criarmos espaços compartilhados de formação docente e com ampla participação de todos os envolvidos nas etapas destas formações. Esperamos contribuir com uma ampliação sobre o entendimento da Residência Pedagógica realizada no município de Niterói, de modo a possibilitar que iniciativas futuras, semelhantes a esta, possam se beneficiar da análise aqui desenvolvida