Abstract
Women who participated in a prison-based dog-training program (DTP) showed significant changes on some measures that may correlate to recidivism. There were also some changes in the control group that should be further explored. These results support the use of standardized DTPs in prison rehabilitation, but the long-term outcomes should continue to be examined. OTs in this setting may use DTPs as one tool to promote occupational and psychosocial well-being.
Primary Author and Speaker: Ellen Lommel Sweder
Contributing Authors: Regina A. D. Abel, Rachel Stromsland
The U.S. has the world’s highest imprisonment rate and a growing number of incarcerated women. Incarceration impacts one’s ability to perform meaningful occupations and negatively impacts health and well-being. These costs extend beyond the time of incarceration. Predictors of recidivism include emotional health. The current recidivism rate is as high as 83%. Prison-based rehabilitation can counteract some negative effects of incarceration. One example is prison-based dog training programs (DTPs), which involve incarcerated individuals training dogs for service or to increase adoptability. Emerging evidence shows that participants in DTPs displayed improved mental health, less aggressive behaviors, improved self-concept, and increased social support. These may correlate to lower recidivism. However, determining best practice is difficult because programs vary widely. The purpose of this study was to quantitatively determine occupational and psychosocial effects of a DTP in a women’s prison on participants’ well-being through measuring self-concept, empathy, mood, and parenting attitudes using standardized assessments completed by participants throughout their involvement. The long-term goal is to develop a protocol for evidence-based DTPs nation-wide. The study used a longitudinal repeated measures design. Participants at Women’s Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center were selected based on interest and behavioral record. The DTP was conducted by a nonprofit organization. Participants were placed in one of three groups: Trainers, Assistants, or Controls. Trainers participated in the DTP. Assistants had some informal dog contact. Controls had minimal dog contact. Participants completed 5 standardized self-report assessments: Tennessee Self-Concept Scale (TSCS), Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI), Occupational Self-Assessment (OSA), Adult Adolescent Parenting Inventory (AAPI-2), and Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18), given at recruitment, approximately every 3 months for the first year, and approximately every 6 months after that for the duration of the individual’s participation. Data from these assessments were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics to yield descriptive statistics, determine correlations between variables, and perform analysis of variance (ANOVA). Post-hoc analysis using Tukey’s Test identified which pairs of means were significantly different. Analysis of preliminary data showed a significant increase in empathy scores for Trainers on the AAPI-2 (initial 5.50 ± 1.73; final 7.00 ± 1.83) and in the difference between perceived occupational competence and the importance of the occupation to them on the OSA (initial 0.30 ± 0.48; final 1.00 ± 0.82) on the item ‘getting done what I need to do’. Controls showed a significant decrease in belief in use of corporal punishment on AAPI-2 (initial 5.63 ± 2.13; final 4.38 ± 1.92) and in the difference between competence and importance on the OSA (initial 1.11 ± 0.93; final 0.33 ± 0.50) for ‘expressing myself to others’. These results provide evidence for the efficacy of DTPs as a means to improve some measures of psychosocial well-being in incarcerated women. The effects on Controls and the added responsibility on Trainers needs to be further explored. The long-term impact of this study will be to support implementation of DPTs in other institutions, creating a more rehabilitative incarceration experience. Incarcerated individuals will be better prepared for community re-entry through improved skills and wellness gained by participating in the occupation of dog training. The role of occupational therapy is emerging in criminal justice settings and this study supports the use of DTPs as a tool of occupational enrichment.
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