A Study on the “Victim Awareness Program” in Japanese Prisons: Improving their Mental Health

• In Event: Poster Session

Abstract

We reported the implementation of the “victim awareness program” in long-term prisoner facilities, as a joint study between Chiba Prison and the University of Chiba　in 2013 and 2014. Joint studies between universities and prisons are rare in Japan. We proposed incorporates cognitive-behavioral therapy and the “Good lives model”. By evaluating the mental well-being before and after the program, we found that the well-being and ill-being scores both rose after the program. We understood that the higher these scores, the better mental well-being was being maintained. It was indicated that by offering this program, increased self-confidence and satisfaction in life, as well as a rise in a sense of mental control, were acknowledged.
In today’s presentation, we will report the effects from offering this program, including the results from subjects (N=35) implementation status. Also, as there are inmates with both definite terms and life terms in our nation, the results of the Beck Depression Inventory, Problem and Problem Solving Inventory which we newly incorporated into the effect measurement to review the applicability of the program, will be reported as well.

Author

• Aika Tomoto, Chiba University