‘Breaking The Cycle’ Of Crime - Improved Health And Justice Outcomes For Offenders Through Effective Interventions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$838,845.00
Summary
Offender population ensure some of the worst health outcomes in the community and impose a significant burden on society. Addressing their health and criminogenic needs through effective interventions not only improves individual outcomes but has profound financial and societal benefits. This fellowship will focus on developing effective interventions in the areas of infectious diseases, mental health and violence, including domestic and family violence.
Preventing Violence-related Deaths Among Individuals Exposed To The Criminal Justice System
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$88,502.00
Summary
Violence is a public health problem. People who have criminal justice contacts are more likely to die and violence-related deaths are common. Not much is known about these deaths. This research will examine the violence-related deaths among young people who have justice contacts in Queensland. It will also examine violence-related deaths among adults who have been in prison from 12 different countries. This is the first study to comprehensively examine violence-related deaths in this group.
Alcohol Treatment For Aboriginal Men In And Out Of Prison
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$607,264.00
Summary
Over half the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people entering prison in NSW have unhealthy alcohol use (drinking over recommended limits, including alcohol dependence). Better access to evidence-based treatment is needed to improve health and reduce return to prison. My proposed research focuses on how clinical and behavioural treatments for alcohol use disorders can be improved on entry to prison, in prison and on release.
From Broome To Berrima: Building Australia-wide Research Capacity In Indigenous Offender Health And Health Care Delivery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,018,575.00
Summary
Australia has the highest Indigenous incarceration rate in the OECD which impacts profoundly on Indigenous communities. Further, offender populations endure a greater health burden compared with the general community. This grant develops much needed capacity in offender health research, building a team of Indigenous researchers, and creating an Australia-wide network for sharing knowledge in this field. Outcomes will include better Indigenous offender health services and improved health and well ....Australia has the highest Indigenous incarceration rate in the OECD which impacts profoundly on Indigenous communities. Further, offender populations endure a greater health burden compared with the general community. This grant develops much needed capacity in offender health research, building a team of Indigenous researchers, and creating an Australia-wide network for sharing knowledge in this field. Outcomes will include better Indigenous offender health services and improved health and wellbeing for this marginalised population.Read moreRead less
The Cost Effectiveness Of Improving Health And Reducing Offending Among Recently Released Prisoners In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$328,750.00
Summary
Ex-prisoners face high risk of poor health and social outcomes in the community, and Indigenous people are over-represented in prison population by a factor of 15. The ‘Passports to Advantage’ intervention aims to improve the capacity of ex-prisoners, to use health care and community support services. Nationwide adoption of the intervention will be costly, but can change health service use and health outcomes among ex-prisoners. There is currently no evidence to address the policy decision of wh ....Ex-prisoners face high risk of poor health and social outcomes in the community, and Indigenous people are over-represented in prison population by a factor of 15. The ‘Passports to Advantage’ intervention aims to improve the capacity of ex-prisoners, to use health care and community support services. Nationwide adoption of the intervention will be costly, but can change health service use and health outcomes among ex-prisoners. There is currently no evidence to address the policy decision of whether the intervention should be widely adopted.Read moreRead less
Recidivism, Health And Social Functioning Following Release To The Community Of NSW Prisoners With Problematic Drug Use, An Evaluation Of The Connections Program
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$536,966.00
Summary
High rates of return to custody and poor health are experienced by ex-inmates with problematic drug use. This project will evaluate the Connections program, an innovative, statewide program in NSW Adult Correctional Centres providing pre-release assessment and post-release support for patients with problematic drug use. It will determine if patients on the Connections program have lower rates of recidivism and better health outcomes; and if outcomes are different for Aboriginal patients.
Aboriginal And Non-Aboriginal Women Perpetrators Of Violence: A Trial Of A Prison-based Intervention (Beyond Violence)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,411,825.00
Summary
The proposed study will be the first of its kind in Australia to test a violence prevention program (Beyond Violence) targeting mental health, substance use and violence among incarcerated female offenders with a history of violence. This research responds to the rapidly escalating imprisonment rates among Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women (particularly for violent offences), and focuses intervention efforts on improving well-being and decreasing reoffending among this vulnerable group.
National Prisons Hepatitis C Education: Improving Health Literacy To Enhance Treatment Uptake
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,158,722.00
Summary
This Partnership Project will evaluate the National Prisons Hepatitis Education Program, which aims to improve the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours of healthcare providers, correctional officers, and prisoners regarding hepatitis C (HCV) and its treatment. This initiative is a key element of the national approach to achieve the World Health Organisation goal of elimination of HCV as an ongoing public health concern by 2030.
Cannabis Withdrawal Among Indigenous Inmates In North Queensland
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$285,920.00
Summary
In withdrawal, many Indigenous cannabis users ‘stress out’ leading to violence and self harm. Among Indigenous prisoners in a north Queensland corrective centre, 69% have been cannabis users and 57% of these suffered ‘stressing out’. We will investigate and address cannabis withdrawal symptoms by documenting their onset and severity and by devising culturally acceptable, low-cost resources and support to assist new inmates to manage ‘stressing out’.
Reducing Impulsive Behaviour In Repeat Violent Offenders Using A Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (Zoloft)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,337,659.00
Summary
Strong evidence points to a link between poor impulse control (impulsivity) and violent crime. Impulsivity has been shown to be associated with reduced levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin. In studies of impulsive individuals, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have reduced impulsive aggression but there has been no systematic study of the benefits of SSRIs for violent offenders at risk of reoffending. This research will investigate whether SSRIs can reduce repeat violent offend ....Strong evidence points to a link between poor impulse control (impulsivity) and violent crime. Impulsivity has been shown to be associated with reduced levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin. In studies of impulsive individuals, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have reduced impulsive aggression but there has been no systematic study of the benefits of SSRIs for violent offenders at risk of reoffending. This research will investigate whether SSRIs can reduce repeat violent offending.Read moreRead less