Advancing Corrections Journal - Edition #17 - Designing a Humane Corrections: Possibilities and Challenges (ACJ17-A006)

This research explored young people in custody experiences of their social climate within an Enabling Environment (EE) (Wing 1 and 2). The research was implemented at a Young Offenders Institute in the United Kingdom (UK). Data were collected over a 3-year period; using the Essen Climate Evaluation Schema (EsseNCES). The relationship between EE and rates of violence and self-injury were also investigated. The analysis showed that cohesion, safety and support increased significantly for Wing 1 from baseline to year 1 but decreased by year 3. The analysis for Wing 2 showed that whilst cohesion and safety increased over the 3 years this was not statistically significant. Measured support for Wing 2 decreased baseline to year 1, and slightly increased thereafter, though not at a statistically significant rate. The relationship between EE and violence showed there was no significant correlation between the months of EE upon rates of violence but that ther e was a significant positive correlation between the months of EE upon rates of self-injury. This suggested EE could be effective in reducing self-injurious behaviour. The results suggested that whilst EE may show some positive effect upon residents’ social climate and reduction in self-injury, this is not consistently found.

 

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