NCJ Number
149554
Journal
Forum on Corrections Research Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Dated: May 1994 Pages: 18-21
Date Published
May 1994
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Based on a literature review of relevant U.S. and British Columbia (Canada) studies, this article focuses on how the under-identification of offenders with some hearing loss may lead to their being mislabelled as "problem inmates" and to the failure of institutions in addressing their programming needs.
Abstract
U.S. studies indicate that many offenders who failed hearing screenings had a previously unidentified hearing loss. This hidden factor may have had a part in the mislabeling of these offenders as "problem offenders," thus affecting their consequent treatment or care. The British Columbia study showed that many institutional staff were unable to recognize behavior indicative of hearing impairment. Further, when 41 prison officials were asked to explain the meaning of specific behavior within the context of their work experience, the officials tended to have a negative perception of behavior typical of the hard of hearing. The extent of hearing loss among federal Canadian offenders is clearly greater than officially recognized thus far. The problems discussed in this article indicate that institutional budgets should take account of the need for hearing aids and communication devices for such offenders. Also, correctional staff should be trained to recognize the behavioral indicators of hearing loss and its implications for rehabilitation. 13 notes