Empathy deficits are common among offenders, including those with sexual offenses. While empathy is not a major risk factor for sexual offending, it is linked to other risk factors like offense-supportive attitudes and hostility. Research often fails to differentiate between cognitive (understanding emotions) and affective (emotional resonance) empathy, hindering identification of specific empathy impairments in offenders. This study examines cognitive and affective empathy in Dutch males with sexual offenses ( = 33), violent offenses ( = 30), and the general population ( = 91). Using the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) and considering impulsivity as a covariate, the study found that sexual offenders had higher levels of both cognitive and affective empathy compared to violent offenders. However, only affective empathy differed significantly from the general population, with sexual offenders showing higher levels. The study suggests nuanced empathy deficits in sexual offenders, though self-reporting may have influenced results.

This study examined the relationship between the psychosocial characteristics of juvenile detainees in three different juvenile detention centers in Türkiye and their environmental conditions. Conducted from the perspective of ecological systems theory, the research aimed to evaluate the effects of reciprocal interaction between a juvenile's internal state and their external environment on rehabilitation. Analyses conducted using methods such as one-way ANOVA and multivariate path analysis revealed a strong relationship between psychological well-being and perceived safety and fundamental environmental factors such as structure, freedom, and support. Path analysis showed that a strong perception of structure defined as the clear rules, routines, and predictability of the prison environment is a fundamental factor that influences other perceptions such as privacy, support, and social relationships. The findings also indicate that there is no direct relationship between activity level and well-being, but rather that the quality of rehabilitation activities may be more critical. In conclusion, the study supports the need for a holistic rehabilitation approach in prisons. This approach should carefully balance freedom of movement and structured programs with the individual privacy and social space needs of juvenile detainees.

We examined the feasibility and value of qualitatively analyzing the Attachment Story Completion Task (ASCT) to gain insights into attachment representations and intergenerational patterns in their parenting among incarcerated mothers in Türkiye ( = 79,  = 29.7,  = 5.6) co-residing with their toddlers. Participants responded to five attachment-related, stress-inducing story-stems. Thematic analysis under a constructivist framework identified five themes: Parental Profiles, Desire for Protection and Care, Self-Blame and Longing for Childhood, Feeling of Being Unloved, and Redemption of Remorse Based on Observed Parenting. Narratives reflected a lack of secure-base support and sensitive caregiving in childhood, marked by emotional neglect, disengaged fathers, and in some cases, abuse. Many mothers expressed shame, longing for affection, and intergenerational parallels with their children, pointing to preoccupied attachment tendencies. Findings emphasize the need for trauma-informed, attachment-based interventions to support caregiving in prison nurseries and address intergenerational cycles of adversity.

For women in prison, having safe and supportive relationships is the greatest predictor of staying safely out of custodial systems, post-release. We describe the development and delivery of '': an in-prison family therapy service in Victoria, Australia that supported women to strengthen their relationships with family and allies to reduce recidivism risk. We piloted a stepped-care model comprising three levels of service delivery to support women's relational health: 1) group-level sessions, 2) single-session family therapy, and 3) systemic family therapy approaches involving women along with their family or allies. We developed a trauma-informed, culturally safe approach to practice, and evidence-enriched resources for use in service delivery. During the three-year service pilot, we continuously improved on the service based on clinical consultations and process evaluation findings. This article describes the development, refinement and delivery of the service with reflections on potential for broader application.

Challenging antisocial behaviour is central to probation practice. Non-confrontational challenge has been identified as the most effective approach. Using conversation analysis to examine 25 probation sessions, we detail four common interactional resources practitioners use to challenge people subject to probation in a non-confrontational way: formulations, questions, assessments and advice-giving. We consider how these resources function and how they impact the ongoing interaction, specifically in terms of engagement and shifting clients' perspectives. The findings here deepen the practical and theoretical understanding of this cornerstone of effective probation practice.

To examine the applicability of general strain theory (GST) for adolescent cyber deviance, this study examined how ineffective parenting practices affect adolescent cyber deviance, focusing on the mediating role of negative emotions. Using a South nationally representative and longitudinal Korean adolescent sample ( = 2,145), the current study employs Generalized Structural Equation Modeling (GSEM) to investigate the mediating role of depression and aggression between exposure to ineffective parenting practices (i.e., weak supervision, inconsistent parenting, and low warmth) and adolescent cyber deviance. The findings reveal that both depression and aggression significantly mediate the effects of exposure to ineffective parenting practices on adolescent cyber deviance. Based on these results, the theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Traumatic experiences are prevalent within the criminal justice system, disproportionately impacting individuals with mental illness. This study examines the trauma experiences of participants ( = 30) who reported incarceration trauma and had a mental health diagnosis prior to incarceration. Participants completed demographic questionnaires, trauma assessments, and interviews. Eighteen met criteria for incarceration-related PTSD or CPTSD, although only six had reported a previous PTSD diagnosis. Participants viewed traumatic experiences in an expansive way. Experiences included exposure to violence, loss of autonomy, subpar mental health care, bullying, social environment, uncertainty, poor living conditions, isolation, and humiliation. Participants recommended greater access to therapy, vocational and educational programming, personal advocates, healthcare staff, improved medication services, peer services, and religious support for addressing trauma. Participants also made suggestions related to preventative services, systemic changes, and community transition. Professionals serving currently or formerly incarcerated individuals should also understand how inequalities within the criminal justice system impact clients.

Substance use disorders are highly prevalent among offenders and are closely associated with increased rates of recidivism. This service evaluation assessed the effectiveness of compulsory forensic treatment for offenders with substance abuse in reducing recidivism. The study compared recidivism rates of 279 offenders who received mandated treatment under Section 64 of the German Criminal Code with those of a matched control group of 274 incarcerated individuals. An additional propensity score analysis confirmed the adequacy of the case-to-case matching. Over a mean follow-up of 6.5 years, the absolute risk reduction remained stable at around 16.5%, with recidivism rates at 7 years of 63.4% in the treatment group and 80.3% in the prisoner group. These findings attest to the effectiveness of compulsory addiction treatment in reducing recidivism compared to subjects who only serve a prison sentence, even though a substantial number (48%) of patients had been returned to prison but were still included in the treatment group at follow-up (intention-to-treat-analysis). The practical implications of these findings are discussed in light of recent legislative changes affecting the application of Section 64.

This phenomenological study explores how individuals in long-term recovery from substance use disorders (SUD) cope with problematic music (PM). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 23 people in sustained recovery after attending treatment centers. Thematic analysis identified three distinct groups. The received no guidance on music consumption, experiencing three phases: recognizing and avoiding PM's, adopting alternative music genres, and currently remaining susceptible to PM while exclusively listening to alternative genres. The were told regarding PM's dangers and went through two phases: informed regarding the danger and avoiding PM, followed by developing ambivalence toward PM. The participated in group music therapy, undergoing four phases: recognizing PM's danger, avoiding PM and adopting alternative genres, developing tolerance by forming new associations with PM, and maintaining this tolerance during recovery. The study highlights the importance of music therapy in addressing musical triggers and supporting sustained recovery in individuals with SUD.

This quantitative study assessed the efficacy of a community-based rehabilitation program implemented by RISe Foundation Malta, designed to facilitate the reintegration of incarcerated individuals within the last 12 months before release. The intervention, grounded in the Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) Model and the Good Lives Model (GLM), aimed to mitigate recidivism by addressing dynamic risk factors associated with criminality. A retrospective analysis of 40 archived case files of program completers was conducted, extracting relevant data from reports to evaluate pre- and post-intervention changes. The data were analyzed using McNemar's test in SPSS. Results revealed a significant reduction in the presence of dynamic risk factors-such as issues related to social and psychological needs-following program completion. These findings provide empirical support for the application of the RNR and GLM models in community-based rehabilitation, demonstrating their potential to effectively reduce the propensity for reoffending.

Latin America remains one of the most violent regions in the world, with El Salvador reporting among the highest homicide rates globally. Much of the existing research emphasizes structural inequality, civil conflict, and transnational gangs such as Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) as contributors to this violence. Yet little attention has been paid to whether demographic shifts, particularly youth bulges, also contribute to lethal violence. This study examines whether the age distribution of El Salvador's population helps explain homicide trends between 1995 and 2018. Drawing on the criminological concept of the age-crime curve, we assess the relationship between the proportion of youth aged 15-19 and annual homicide rates, while also accounting for inequality and the implementation of militarized policing strategies under Mano Dura. Data were compiled from the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations World Population Prospects, and the World Bank. Analyses include descriptive statistics, contour plots, and regression models using Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) with Newey-West heteroskedasticity and autocorrelation-consistent (HAC) standard errors. Findings indicate that demographic structure matters: increases in the youth population are positively associated with homicide. However, militarized policing also contributes to heightened violence, suggesting that punitive policies may exacerbate rather than mitigate homicide. Policy implications are discussed, with the findings contributing to broader debates about youth, security policy, and the limits of Mano Dura or militarized policing tactics as a sustainable response to crime in El Salvador and abroad.

Expanding on the largely omitted concept "frustrated desistance," the paper approaches desistance as an ambiguous, non-linear and contradictory experience. Qualitative interviews conducted with case managers and participants of a voluntary Swedish desistance and gang defector program were analyzed to add nuance to desistance derailment in an offender rehabilitative setting. While ostensibly a "hook for change," the program struggled to provide appropriate assistance. Rather than facilitating desistance, various contrarian (and occasionally contradictory) institutional practices were found to undermine such efforts, subverting the very notion of a hook. When torn between conflicting motivations, treatment engagement is disincentivized rather than encouraged, creating dissonance and turmoil. Placed against these contradictions and weighed down by the many burdens of liminality, the agent may "loosen" or "slip off" the hook. Illegal debts accrued from involvement in drug trade ("street debts") and interrelated security concerns constitute two hitherto unrecognized frustrations that complicate desistance efforts. The findings underscore how desistance is always situated in the context of other concerns and demands, with practical implications for offender rehabilitation.

Juvenile delinquency is a concerning issue in society as it can have negative impacts on individuals, families, and the broader community. Understanding the correlates of such behavior is crucial for developing effective strategies to reduce its prevalence. One theoretical framework that may aid in understanding youth deviance is Agnew's General Theory of Crime, which emphasizes the central life domains of individuals and their influence on deviance. This research offers a partial test of Agnew's theory to explain deviance among a sample of 1,300 juveniles from Albania. The findings indicate that key theoretical constructs related to Agnew's life domains (self, family, peers, school, and community) effectively predict delinquency. Specific findings, theoretical implications, study limitations, and directions for future research are discussed.

This study investigates the cognitive changes for female detainees participating in a chemical dependency program that relies on cognitive behavioral therapy to help participants understand their addiction from biological, cognitive, and social perspectives. We examined how in-detention treatment perceptions of self and social connectedness. Qualitative data, collected through essays written by participants pre-treatment and upon release from detention, suggest that the program promotes many of the cognitive changes associated with desistance described by extant theoretical models, including the Identity Theory of Desistance (ITD). Our findings expand our understanding of the identity-desistance link by demonstrating that cognitive changes can occur during detention while women simultaneously experience the "pains of imprisonment." We discuss the implications of our findings for both practice and policy.

This study investigates the role of social support in the social adaptation of offenders in community corrections, focusing on four dimensions: emotional, appraisal, informational, and instrumental support. Using self-reported survey data from 332 participants in China, findings reveal that all four support dimensions significantly predict social adaptation, with informational support being the strongest predictor. The study emphasizes the importance of social support in improving reintegration outcomes and proposes practical social work interventions. These include direct assistance with essential needs such as food, housing, and healthcare, as well as guidance on employment and legal rights. Emotional well-being strategies and self-evaluation support are also recommended. The findings highlight the need for structured support systems that promote interdisciplinary collaboration to improve rehabilitation outcomes. While rooted in the Chinese context, these insights offer valuable implications for global social work practices in offender reintegration.

Transgender individuals with previous convictions for sexual offenses are an under-researched yet growing population in the UK. This study adopted a qualitative approach to exploring the lived experiences of three such individuals who were currently living in the community under the management of Probation Services. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used to analyze the data derived from semi-structured interviews with the participants. Two superordinate themes were identified: and The superordinate and subordinate themes are presented and discussed in relation to working with this group of individuals. The findings highlight the psychological impact of identity invalidation and stigma, and the value of responsive, gender-affirming support. This has practical implications for Probation Services, suggesting that inclusive and flexible approaches are key to promoting engagement, well-being, and rehabilitation in this marginalized group.

This study examined whether subscales of the Youth Level of Service Case Management Inventory (YLS/CMI) have added value beyond the total score. Including 238 detained Japanese juvenile offenders (ages 16-19), the proportional reduction in mean squared error (PRMSE) method was applied. Most subscales showed added value, except for Attitudes/Orientation. For the younger group, all subscales except Attitudes/Orientation showed added value. For older juveniles, Family Circumstances/Parenting, Education/Employment, and Attitudes/Orientation did not. Construct validity was assessed via correlations with prior delinquency indicators. While the total score showed consistent associations, some subscales-notably among older youth-did not, raising concerns about their relevance. These findings suggested that subscales should be interpreted according to both statistical distinctiveness and theoretical support. Subscale analysis may aid intervention planning, particularly for younger offenders, but its utility should be judged by both psychometric and practical standards.

Mental health diversion pairs mental health treatment with court oversight as an alternative to incarceration. We conducted a qualitative exploration of the applicability of a patient-centered care framework-typically applied in healthcare contexts to center the experience of a patient in their own care-to mental health diversion. This study examines (1) if the principles of patient-centered care are experienced by mental health diversion clients and (2) how these principles apply to hybrid healthcare-legal system intervention like mental health diversion. We interviewed 15 diversion clients from 6 counties in California. Findings suggested that patient-centered care is relevant to diversion clients, including client access to care, relationships with trusted professionals, and respect for preferences. However, the patient-centered care framework requires adaptation for the mental health diversion context, in which both therapeutic professionals and legal professionals play key roles.

Based on an early 2020s survey of 3,500 police officers from nine countries, this paper explores perceived community and police adherence to the COVID-19 regulations. We propose that both public and police perceived adherence with the COVID-19 rules are related not only to individual-level factors (e.g., gender, concern for own health) but also to country-level factors (e.g., quality of governance, protection of citizens' rights). Our findings reveal that individual-level factors, such as the concerns for personal and family health, were strong and consistent predictors of perceived community and police adherence. While misinformation about the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with the perceived community adherence, it was not related to the perceived police adherence. Moreover, country-level factors, such as the stringency of COVID-19 rules and regulations and the protection of citizens' rights, were also significantly related to both perceived community and police adherence.

The increasing ethnic diversity in Europe's forensic population challenges culturally sensitive rehabilitation. The Good Lives Model, a strengths-based rehabilitation framework promoting well-being and desistance, provides a universal structure but shows potential for cultural adaptation. This study explores the emic dimensions of the GLM's core concepts and assumptions-primary goods, secondary goods, strengths, and obstacles-among ethnically diverse forensic clients, with particular attention to how they perceive and engage with the model. Semi-structured Good Lives interviews were conducted with 18 forensic clients from diasporic groups. Findings indicate that while primary goods hold universal relevance, cultural factors influence their prioritization attainment. The GLM enables recognition of systemic barriers alongside individual strengths. Participants perceived the Good Lives Interview as fostering comfort and rapport, enabling discussions on sensitive topics, including offending behavior.

Since its development in 1985 by Melvin and colleagues, the Attitudes Toward Prisoners Scale (ATP) has been employed to measure attitudes toward offenders. However, our current knowledge of public attitudes toward offenders is limited primarily to (a) Anglo-Saxon countries and Hong Kong; and (b) non-random samples. This paper differs from most previous research in its use of a random sample in a hitherto unexplored jurisdiction and multivariate analysis to identify correlates of public attitudes toward offenders. We identified a unidimensional structure of ATP in the context of Azerbaijan, which conforms to the findings reported by the research in the American, European settings, but contradicts the ones from Asian settings. The results from a sample of urban citizens in the capital city of Azerbaijan ( = 390) suggest that those who know a prisoner hold a more positive attitude. Demographically, those with a higher age level and holding a higher education diploma scored higher on the ATP scale. The theoretical and practical implications are discussed toward the end.

This systematic review examines the perspectives of victim-survivors, family members, and professionals (VFP's) on the reintegration of men convicted of sexual offenses into the community. A search of 8 databases identified 8,621 potential sources. After screening, 36 studies were included in the review. Papers were included if they used qualitative methods about VFP's views, attitudes, opinions, and/or perceptions on the reintegration of adult males who have sexually offended, from prison or secure care. The papers were then critically appraised and thematically synthesized. The findings highlighted four key themes: supervision, discrimination, livelihood, and interventions. These themes revealed the complex and multifaceted nature of reintegration, where varying perspectives highlighted a balance between public safety concerns, the potential for rehabilitation, and the profound social and emotional implications for those directly involved with the offenders. The implications for future research, and policy and practice, including support for families, professional training, and advocating for policy reform, are discussed.

In this preliminary study, we investigated components of internal/external locus of control (LOC) in five case studies of intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetrators. Inter-category relationship analysis was used to explore the men's lived experiences through 10 in-depth interviews (two per case study). Findings revealed that (1) an external LOC enables violent individuals to indirectly express internal information by creating emotional distance, and (2) an internal LOC acts as a protective factor against violent behavior, especially when internal outcomes are attributed to internal factors. We suggest expanding the LOC measure and propose treatment strategies to enhance internal LOC among IPV perpetrators. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of factors influencing IPV perpetration and identifies potential turning points for intervention through externally focused narratives.

This paper describes the quantitative findings of a systematic literature review of research on patients on conditional discharge from forensic mental health services in England and Wales (part one of two). Conditional discharge is a frequently used discharge option which allows forensic patients to receive care within the community, while subject to certain restrictions. In total, 23 quantitative and five mixed-methods studies were included. A synthesis of the quantitative findings identified factors associated with recall and recidivism, as well as positive outcomes for patients. Patients on conditional discharge showed lower violence and recidivism rates compared to those on absolute discharge. We develop hypothesized causal links between predictors and patient outcomes using a novel method of directed acyclic graphs (DAGs). The methods of this review, implications of findings, and directions for further research are discussed.

Student mass fighting is prevalent in many cities in Indonesia, resulting in severe consequences such as physical injury and death. However, research on the neutralization techniques repeat offenders use is limited, though this information is vital for effective prevention. This study explores the neutralization techniques among student mass fighters in Indonesia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six student mass fighters across three correctional institutions using qualitative methods. The analysis revealed four neutralization techniques: denial of responsibility, denial of injury, denial of the victim, and appeal to higher loyalties. Participants rationalized that fighting was important for maintaining gang reputation and peer acceptance, and they often portrayed their involvement as a typical response. The study suggests implementing conflict resolution training and identifying at-risk students as part of a broader strategy to reduce student mass fighting and improve rehabilitation efforts.

This study investigates how deterministic and indeterministic perceptions influence criminal identity among adolescents involved in gangs. The research compares two distinct groups: (1) persistent offenders with ongoing gang involvement and criminal activities, and (2) desisting offenders with past gang involvement but no current participation. The analysis reveals two key findings. First, adolescents who developed indeterministic perceptions of gang lifestyle demonstrated increased capacity to question gang involvement and exhibited greater potential for gang disengagement. Second, persistent offenders who maintained deterministic perceptions of their gang involvement showed intensified criminal identity and continued delinquent behavior. We conclude that, first, processes of indeterministic perceptions assist in the development of identity transformation among adolescents at gangs and, consequently, in gang exit; second, process of free choice serves as opportunities for indeterministic perceptions and possible shift from a criminal lifestyle to a normal one.

This meta-analysis evaluated judicial interventions for juvenile delinquency certified by the Netherlands Youth Institute with "initial indications" for effectiveness. Ten (quasi-)experimental studies examining TOOLS4U, Multidimensional Family Therapy (MDFT), Multi Systemic Therapy (MST), Only You Decide who you Are (OYD), Responsive Social Skills Therapy (Re-SST), and Responsive Aggression Regulation Therapy (Re-ART) were synthesized. The overall effect was small, positive, and significant ( = 0.22; 95%CI: 0.02, 0.42). Responsive cognitive behavioral therapy (Re-SST and Re-ART) and the sports-based intervention OYD seem effective, whereas social skills training (TOOLS4U) and family-based systemic interventions (MDFT and MST) seem ineffective. However, effectiveness of family-based programs can possibly be enhanced if youth at medium-to-high risk for delinquency is treated for 6 months or longer, which aligns with the Risk-Need-Responsivity model. Better program delivery and general instead of specific offenses were associated with larger effects. We advocate a stronger evidence-based RNR approach to juvenile delinquency in the Netherlands.

This paper describes the qualitative findings of a systematic literature review of research on patients on conditional discharge from forensic mental health services in England and Wales (part two of two). In total, 15 qualitative and five mixed-methods studies were included. A thematic synthesis of the findings produced familiar themes addressed in the wider desistance literature: tensions between agency and social structures; the importance of bonds to (in)formal social institutions and meaningful relationships; and the assessment of criminogenic risk factors such as substance use, antisocial peers and inadequate accommodation. We draw on the concepts of identity-desistance and relational-desistance and suggest that our findings encourage modifications or adaptations to desistance theories to better explain the experiences of forensic mental health patients (e.g., epistemic injustice, mental health stigma, shared decision-making). We discuss how insights from desistance theories can be used to support recovery in forensic mental health patients in practice.

Several European countries use income-based fines (i.e., day, unit, or structured fines). Under this system, a judge imposes a fine based on the offense's seriousness and the offender's income. Proponents argue that income-based fines promote equality in punishment and reduce unnecessary imprisonment resulting from fine defaults. However, opponents argue that income-based fines lead to inequality in punishment and are challenging to implement due to problems accessing an offender's assets. Based on these arguments, this study uses the Korean Institute of Criminology and Justice survey to explore Koreans' attitudes and factors relevant to supporting income-based fines ( = 1,063). The findings suggest that most respondents support income-based fines, primarily because income-based fines enhance punishment equality by accounting for or incorporating one's financial status.

In the United States, high incarceration rates disproportionately affect marginalized communities, exacerbating challenges for disadvantaged families. This study explores the relationship between substance use and fatherhood attitudes among incarcerated fathers to inform interventions that promote familial well-being. Using data from the Multi-site Family Study on Incarceration (MFS-IP), the study analyzes the fatherhood attitudes and substance use history of 1,047 incarcerated fathers. Findings reveal a significant negative correlation between substance use and positive fatherhood attitudes. Additionally, child-father contact emerged as a key moderating factor in this relationship. Despite substance use histories, fathers generally held positive attitudes toward fatherhood, challenging societal stereotypes. These results highlight the need for tailored interventions during incarceration to address the unique needs of incarcerated fathers. The study contributes to a better understanding of the complex dynamics between fatherhood, incarceration, substance use, and father-child relationships, offering clinical insights and recommendations for future research and practice.