RT Article
T1 Creating prosocial environments in prison: Insights from the lived experiences in character-based units
JF Criminal justice studies
VO 37
IS 4
SP 371
OP 386
A1 Smith, Hayden
A2 Cheung, Yu S.
LA English
YR 2024
UL https://krimdok.uni-tuebingen.de/Record/1915097533
AB This study examines the role of Character-Based Units (CBUs) in facilitating rehabilitation among incarcerated populations within a Southeastern U.S. prison system. A sample of 316 participants from three correctional facilities was analyzed to evaluate the impact of CBUs on various behavioral and emotional outcomes. Utilizing a survey methodology, the research assessed shifts in deviant behavior, emotional well-being, and coping mechanisms before and after participants engaged with the CBU environment. The results indicate notable changes in self-reported deviance, with a significant decrease in the prevalence of deviant thoughts and associations with antisocial peers. Furthermore, emotional health metrics revealed that a substantial majority of participants exhibited strong perspective-taking abilities and positive affective responses. Stress levels were reported as low, with a high percentage of individuals demonstrating effective coping skills. These findings suggest that CBUs may effectively promote prosocial behavior and emotional resilience among incarcerated individuals, positioning them as a promising alternative to conventional rehabilitation programs. Future research is encouraged to investigate the long-term effects of CBUs on the overall well-being of those involved over time.
K1 Emotional Health
K1 Therapeutic communities
K1 Prison
K1 character based units (CBU)
K1 Incarcerated people
DO 10.1080/1478601X.2024.2430260