Juvenile adaptation to imprisonment: Feelings of safety, autonomy and well-being, and behaviour in prison

Abstract

Adaptation to imprisonment involves feelings of safety, autonomy, well-being, stress or misbehaviour among detained offenders. According to importation theory, characteristics such as previous experiences of imprisonment or psychiatric problems affect the adaptation of offenders to imprisonment; deprivation theory, in contrast, focuses on factors such as social interactions with peers or staff and fairness in procedures or in daily life encounters. In this study, adaptation to imprisonment and the relationship with importation and deprivation factors were investigated among 207 juvenile offenders incarcerated in Dutch juvenile correctional institutions. A cross-sectional multi-method design was used, including a survey, screening instruments, records and qualitative interviews. Controlling for importation characteristics, strong associations of adaptation to imprisonment were found with interactions with peers and staff, justice, daily activities and the number of juveniles in a group. The study provides valuable insight into the factors related to adaptation to imprisonment, which can help to improve safety in prison and, subsequently, could be useful in increasing the motivation of juveniles to participate in treatment programmes. The implications for theory and practice are discussed.

Stability and change in subjective quality of life of adolescents in secure residential care

“…For example, adolescents are forced to leave their familiar environment and to adapt to a life in a new and restricted setting. This transition causes feelings of reduced safety and autonomy (van der Laan & Eichelsheim, 2013) and might therefore influence subjective QoL. In turn, leaving the residential care facility requires emotional adaptation after re-entering society.…”

A longitudinal study of mental health symptoms in young prisoners: exploring the influence of personal factors and the correctional climate

“…Such high prevalence rates result in substantial mental health needs and pose a number of challenges to the criminal justice system. For instance, mental health symptoms in prison have been linked to violence, self-harm, suicide, victimization [ 4 – 7 ], and to a reduced willingness or capacity of prisoners to participate in daily activities and prison programs, which in turn may limit their well-being and rehabilitation [ 8 , 9 ]. Moreover, high levels of mental health symptoms may result in a higher use of prison healthcare services, and subsequently increase institutional costs.…”

“…In addition to personal factors, prisoners’ mental health may be related to the features of the prison environment [ 21 ]. For instance, a lack of peer support, fear of victimization, negative staff-prisoner interactions and limited daily activities may impair young prisoners’ psychological adaptation [ 9 , 15 , 22 ]. Such findings suggest that young prisoners’ mental health may be affected by aspects of the correctional climate.…”

Terapi Logo dan Suportif Kelompok Menurunkan Ansietas Remaja Binaan Rutan dan Lapas

“…Remaja yang menjalani pidana penjara dituntut untuk mampu beradaptasi dan bersosialisasi dengan peraturan penjara yang sangat menekan, rutinitas kehidupan penjara yang sangat membosankan, dan kehidupan sosial bersama narapidana lain yang sering terjadi keributan, pemerasan, dan tindakan kekerasan yang dirasakan sebagai suatu penderitaan lain disamping hukuman pidana sendiri (Van der Laan & Eichelsheim, 2013). Hal tersebut menyebabkan remaja merasa tidak berharga di bandingkan dengan anak seusianya, mendapat celaan dari orang lain, merasa tidak punya harapan, merasa gagal sehingga pada akhirnya dapat menimbulkan depresi (Manik, 2007).…”