National Institute of Corrections Library

This is an excellent publication containing a wealth of information about problems associated with gangs and security threat groups (STGs) in American jails and prisons. Sections of this report include: introduction; prior research; definitions; methodology; characteristics of the responding correctional facilities; scope and extent of the gang/STG problem in American corrections; the issue of gang recruitment behind bars; the issues and controversies about religious worship for inmates and prisoners; the issue of racial extremism and racial conflict behind bars; the issue of gang renunciation—getting out of the gang behind bars; housing gang inmates separate or together—which is best; the politics of gang/STG problems in American corrections; gang/STG abuse of mail and telephone communications in American corrections; other types of problems behind bars caused by gangs/STGs; strategies to control gangs/STG’s behind bars; what should be done to respond to the gang/STG problem; and summary and conclusions. “There are many complex and intricate aspects of the gang/STG problem behind bars. This study is the latest in a long series of prison gang/STG surveys conducted by the National Gang Crime Research Center (NGCRC) dating back to the early 1990's. We are not seeing the gang/STG problem level off yet, which means that gang density is on the rise. The fact is it may be possible at this point for gangs to claim that they run the jails and prisons, because of the power they wield there. We are not seeing any optimism about the chances of reducing or curtailing the gang/STG problem behind bars. Most of the respondents were pessimistic about the future: they expect the gang or STG problem to increase in the next few years” (p. 29). SOURCE: National Gang Crime Research Center (NGCRC) (Peotone, IL). Authored by Knox, George W..

"Any economic study of a justice-related investment needs to use the right cost information in its calculations. The type of cost used makes a difference in the accuracy of a study’s findings, as well as its relevance for policymaking, budgeting, and practice. Vera’s Cost-Benefit Analysis Unit has published this guide to help technical users and general readers understand marginal cost—the amount of change in total cost when a unit of output changes." “This guide [in particular] instructs policy analysts how to calculate a particular kind of taxpayer costs called marginal costs for use in CBAs (cost-benefit analyses) of criminal justice programs and policies … A cost-benefit analysis aims to measure the net benefit to society, but this guide covers only costs to taxpayers and not societal costs of crime, which include fear of crime, avoidance costs, and emotional and physical harm to victims” (p. 4). Sections cover: introduction; what marginal costs are—types of government costs, short-run and long-run marginal costs, and taxpayer benefits versus taxpayer savings; how to calculate marginal costs—methods, and data collection; examples in the justice system—prisons and jails, probation and parole, courts, law enforcement, and programs; recommendations for analysts and justice agencies; resources for methods and data. SOURCE: Vera Institute of Justice. Cost-Benefit Analysis Unit (New York, NY). Authored by Henrichson, Christian; Galgano, Sarah.

“Effective mental health treatments which have undergone testing in both controlled research trials and real-world settings are available for a wide range of diagnosed mental health disorders. The Collection 4th Edition is designed to encourage use of these treatments by professionals providing mental health treatments. The Collection 4th Edition is also designed to inform parents, caregivers, and other stakeholders by providing general information about the various disorders and problems affecting children and adolescents” (p. 5). Access is provided at this website to the whole document or by chapter. Chapters contained in this report are: Introduction; Role of the Family in Treatment Programs; Key Components of Successful Treatment Programs; Reference Chart of Disorders and Evidence-based Treatments; Intellectual Disability ; Autism Spectrum Disorders; Adjustment Disorders--Behavior Disorders (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Oppositional Defiant and Conduct Disorders), and Maladaptive Behaviors (Sexual Offending, Eating Disorders, Juvenile Firesetting, and Non-Suicidal Self-Injurious Behavior); Habit Disorders; Anxiety Disorders; Trauma; Obsessive-compulsive Disorder; Mood Disorders--Depression and Dysthymia and Pediatric Bipolar Disorder; Early-onset Schizophrenia; Substance Use Disorders; Youth Suicide; School-based Mental Health Services; Juvenile Offending; Antidepressants and the Risk of Suicidal Behavior; General Description of Providers; Providers Licensed in Virginia; Terms Used in Virginia's Mental Health Delivery System; and Commonly Used Acronyms and Abbreviations. SOURCE: Virginia Commission on Youth (Richmond, VA).