Assessing the therapeutic climate of prisons

This study examined perceptions of the prison social climate in two Australian prisons from the perspective of both prison staff and prisoners. Ratings of social climate were compared between a specialist treatment prison that provides intensive rehabilitation programs to violent, sexual, and substance-using offenders and a mainstream prison that does not specialize in offender rehabilitation. The results suggested that staff and prisoners at the specialist treatment prison rated the social climate as more conducive to rehabilitation, although the differences were less pronounced for prisoners. These findings are discussed in relation to the development of specialist therapeutic prisons and how assessments of social climate might inform assessments of their success.

Interpretation and feedback

Designed as a quick and easy tool to help assess the essential traits of the social and therapeutic atmosphere in forensic psychiatric settings (subsequently expanded for use in correctional facilities), the Essen Climate Evaluation Schema (EssenCES) was originally developed and first published in Germany. It has since been translated into a number of other languages and been included in a considerable number of studies, among them a broad validation study in the UK. Following this study andthe UK Commissioning for Quality and Innovation (CQUIN) initiating the regular use of the scale in forensic psychiatric services in the UK, we have received a large number of enquiries regarding support in using the scale and interpreting its findings. In particular, many researchers and clinicians have requested reference norms that would allow them to compare the EssenCES scores obtained in their particular unit/service with the scores obtained in other settings. This manual aims to respond to these enquiries. It outlines the background and the concept of the instrument and discusses the variety of ways in which the EssenCES might be used to support research and practice within forensic services.It also includes considerations regarding the limitations of previous studies that have utilised the concept of social climate and a discussion of how the contribution of climate evaluations might be further improved in the future.

Psychometric properties

Designed as a quick and easy tool to help assess the essential traits of the social and therapeutic atmosphere in forensic psychiatric settings (subsequently expanded for use in correctional facilities), the Essen Climate Evaluation Schema (EssenCES) was originally developed and first published in Germany. It has since been translated into a number of other languages and been included in a considerable number of studies, among them a broad validation study inthe UK. Following this study andthe UK Commissioning for Quality and Innovation (CQUIN) initiating the regular use of the scale in forensic psychiatric services inthe UK, we have received a large number of enquiries regarding support in using the scale and interpreting its findings. In particular, many researchers and clinicians have requested reference norms that would allow them to compare the EssenCES scores obtained in their particular unit/service with the scores obtained in other settings. This manual aims to respond to these enquiries. It outlines the background and the concept of the instrument and discusses the variety of ways in which the EssenCES might be used to support research and practice within forensic services.It also includes considerations regarding the limitations of previous studies that have utilised the concept of social climate and a discussion of how the contribution of climate evaluations might be further improved in the future.

The influence of incarceration length and protection status on perceptions of prison social climate

Using a 2 (incarceration length) × 2 (custody type) between-groups design, the present study assessed whether inmates’ perceptions of the prison social climate were influenced by their security classification and length of time they had been incarcerated. Analyses of data collected from 76 male prisoners who completed a 15-item measure of prison social climate revealed an interaction effect between length of incarceration and protective prisoner status. Those housed in protectivecustody who had been incarcerated for longer than 6 months rated the social climate significantly more positively than both protective custody prisoners incarcerated for less than 6 months and those not in protective custody. This interaction was strongest on those social climate dimensions relating to therapeutic hold and social cohesion. A univariate effect was also observed whereby protective custody prisoners, irrespective of incarceration length, reported that they experienced the environment as less safe than their mainstream (non-protective custody) counterparts.

Attachment Style, Therapeutic Alliance and Recovery in forensic mental health: the A-STAR study and clinical research portfolio

Background: Research suggests that forensic mental health services and staff can play an important role in the recognition and intervention with attachment-related behaviours to promote engagement and recovery. There is a lack of literature exploring whether the attachment needs of forensic service-users are recognised and, associations between attachment style and factors predictive of recovery. Aims: This study aimed to examine the extent to which service-users and keyworkers agree about service-users’ attachment and to identify whether attachment was associated with service attachment, working alliance, ward climate and recovery. Methods: Twenty-two service-users from low and medium secure forensic services, completed questionnaire measures of their attachment style, service attachment, working alliance, ward climate and experiences of recovery. Nineteen keyworkers completed measures of the service-users attachment style and working alliance. Results: There was strong agreement between service-users and staff for attachment anxiety (ICC=0.71) but poor agreement for attachment avoidance (ICC=0.39). Service attachment was associated with more positive perceptions of staff support (r=0.49) and avoidant attachment was associated with lower ratings of recovery (r=-0.51). Correlations between attachment style and service attachment, working alliance and ward climate were small and non-significant. Conclusions: A focus on staff training to support recognition of the nature and impact of avoidant attachment styles is indicated. The findings suggest that interventions to enhance staff - service-user relationships may be important for service attachment and indeed promotion of a recovery focused orientation amongst service-users high in avoidant attachment may improve wellbeing and outcomes.