Crime, Mental Health and the Criminal Justice System in Africa


Book Description

This book aims to serve as a comprehensive resource for a myriad of crime and mental health topics and issues in the African criminal justice system from a psycho-criminological perspective. Crime, Mental Health and the Criminal Justice System in Africa: A Psycho-Criminological Perspective is an ideal primary text for courses in criminology, criminal justice, and forensic psychology, as well as asource of reference for practitioners who deal with offenders or victims. “For a long time, African historiography has been viewed and interpreted from Eurocentric perspectives. This book is a timely contribution towards infusing Afrocentric perspectives in African scholarship by indigenous scholars. The authors’ interdisciplinary topical approach, covering a gamut of topics ranging from African criminology, through mental health and psychology, to criminal justice systems, has lent a decolonizing voice toward African literary pursuit and thereby laid a solid foundation for further research by other scholars. I highly recommend it to readers, academic institutions and researchers on Africa.” – Emmanuel Onyeozili, Ph.D., Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Department of Criminal Justice, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, USA “This edited volume by an array of experts from West and Southern Africa has given a refreshing voice to psycho-criminological narratives in the continent. In a region of the world in which there is insufficient documentation of the patterns, determinants and outcomes of criminal behaviour, this book offers a culturally competent and contemporary flavour to an ancient discourse. Its focus on new areas of concern such as online dating scams, kidnapping and the mental health of officials in the criminal justice system compellingly captures the potential reader and gives good value for time. It is warmly recommended for its breadth of coverage, the authority of its claims and the multi-disciplinary outlook of its authors.” – Adegboyega Ogunwale, MBBS, FWACP, Consultant Psychiatrist, Forensic Unit, Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Ogun State, Nigeria “This collection represents a significant step in the study of mental health, crime and criminal justice in sub-Saharan Africa. The breadth of topics covered is impressive, with each contribution based on methodologically-sound empirical analyses. It deserves to become a key reference for students, researchers and policy makers interested in suicide, drug use, violence, the work of prison officers, criminal investigations, and police-community interactions.” – Justice Tankebe, Ph.D., Lecturer, Institute of Criminology, University of Cambridge, UK “Mental health and criminal justice issues are growing problems facing the world today. Questions about whether mental health affects crime or whether involvement in the criminal justice system affects an individual’s health have become part of national policy discussion. This nicely written book brings together eminent scholars and experts with extensive experience in their various fields to address these and other questions related to crime, mental health, and criminal justice in Africa. The editors did well to coordinate the efforts of the contributors into a valuable pierce. I highly recommend it for all who are interested in the nexus between crime, mental health, and criminal justice systems.” – Francis D. Boateng, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies, University of Mississippi, USA




Psycho-Criminological Approaches to Stalking Behavior


Book Description

Provides multidisciplinary coverage of stalking behavior worldwide from both academic and practical approaches Psycho-Criminological Approaches to Stalking Behavior: The International Perspective is a thorough, up-to-date overview of stalking perpetration and victimization in different regions of the world. This authoritative book brings together contributions from a team of leading scholars and practitioners that discuss a diverse range of interrelated topics and issues relevant to stalking and intrusive behavior from both theoretical and practical contexts. Whereas most of the literature on the subject is written from a Western viewpoint, this unique volume examines empirical research, policies, and practices from Asian and African countries, as well as those from Europe, the Americas, and Australia, to provide a truly global perspective. Divided into three parts, the book first examines theories and research on cross-national differences in stalking among college students, ex-partner stalking in Finland, cyberstalking victimization in Singapore, the heterogeneity of stalking and stalkers in Australia, public familiarity and understanding of stalking/harassing legislation in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and more. The book’s second part focuses on national portraits of stalking in a number of understudied populations, including Lithuania, Spain, Denmark, Portugal, and South Africa. Finally in the third section of the book, the chapters largely emphasize policy and best practice, including the Dutch model of policing stalking, risk assessment and management of stalking in Sweden, psycho-legal responses to online interpersonal harm, the German approach to stopping stalking, the United Kingdom response to assessing and managing stalking, and the work of the Danish Stalking Centre. This important contribution to the field: Offers insights from international professionals applicable in other geographical contexts Discusses the factors that influence social awareness and responses to stalking Explores the importance of victim vulnerability factors when managing risk of stalking Presents real-world case studies of stalking behavior, intimate partner violence, stalking victimization, and statutory and law enforcement efforts Reviews the intervention practices of the support institutions and justice systems of different countries Psycho-Criminological Approaches to Stalking Behavior: The International Perspective is an ideal primary or supplementary text for courses in criminology, criminal justice, forensic psychology, and social and behavioral science, as well as a valuable source of reference for those who deal with offenders or victims of stalking, including law enforcement agents, mental health professionals, legal practitioners, social services personnel, and policy makers.




Sexual Offending in Asia


Book Description

SEXUAL OFFENDING inASIA AUTHORITATIVE AND THOUGHT-PROVOKING WORK DETAILING THE PSYCHO-CRIMINOLOGICAL FACTORS INFLUENCING AND AFFECTING SEXUAL OFFENDERS IN ASIA Sexual Offending in Asia examines sexual offending from a general Asian perspective with a psycho-criminological approach (i.e., personal, social, and environmental mechanisms) to provide comprehensive coverage of different topics from both theoretical and practical (i.e., practice and policy) standpoints. This book is part of The Wiley Series in the Psycho-Criminology of Crime, Mental Health, and the Law, which aims to publish original, high-quality authored and edited collections on all aspects of crime, mental health, and the law from a psycho-criminological perspective. Sexual Offending in Asia is divided into two main sections—i.e., Part 1: Theories of Sexual Offending and Part 2: Sexual Offending in Asia—with five chapters in each section. In the second section, each chapter concludes with two case examples to illustrate the sexual offending phenomenon of each geographical location. Written by an award-winning author with significant experience in the field, Sexual Offending in Asia provides coverage of topics such as: Multi-level theories of general sexual offending, including multi-factorial (Level 1), single factor (Level ll), and micro-level or offense process (Level lll) theories of sexual offending for specific sex offender populations, including female sex offenders and sexual homicide offenders Sexual offending in Asia is discussed based on 5 geographical regions, namely East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, West Asia, and Central Asia. Sexual offending in each geographical region is discussed comprehensively, including the prevalence and nature of sexual offending; cultural values and norms related to sexual offending; offender, victim, and offense characteristics; penal codes; and case examples Sexual Offending in Asia will be of immense interest not only to researchers and field practitioners whose work brings them into contact with sexual offenders, but more specifically to those who wish for an informed and informative understanding of Asian sexual offending regarding prevention and intervention strategies.




Ex-Partner Stalking and Children


Book Description

PROVIDES AN AUTHORITATIVE OVERVIEW OF STALKING BEHAVIOR PERPETRATED BY PARENTS AND ITS IMPACTS ON CHILDREN Stalking targeted at one of the child’s parents by the other poses a major psychosocial and physical threat to children’s wellbeing and security. Although interdisciplinary research on stalking has expanded in recent decades, intimate partner/ex-partner stalking has been viewed as an “adults only” problem. Ex-Partner Stalking and Children brings together scholars and practitioners from different disciplines in the field to examine ex-partner stalking as a psychosocial and criminological issue in children’s and young people’s lives. Providing both theoretical and practical perspectives, this comprehensive volume explores approaches for increasing awareness of parental stalking, addressing its impacts on children and young people, and advancing interventions and methods of support for them. Throughout the text, the authors challenge existing conceptions of intimate partner/ex-partner stalking as a phenomenon that exists only between the partners, rather than a form of gendered violence that creates a victimizing environment for the children. A novel contribution to both scholarly and practical understandings of ex-partner stalking, this important book: Addresses a gap in knowledge on the socially, ethically, and legally challenging phenomenon of cases when one parent is stalking the other Offers insights and tools to help practitioners better recognize, support, and intervene in parental stalking situations involving children Examines research findings on stalking behavior, including psychological and trauma perspectives Discusses best practices and working methods, challenges in identifying the child’s experiences, and factors preventing children from receiving help Recommends future directions in promoting children’s and young people’s rights in ex-partner stalking Part of the acclaimed Psycho-Criminology of Crime, Mental Health, and the Law series, Ex-Partner Stalking and Children: The Impact on Children When One Parent is Stalking the Other is essential reading for undergraduate and graduate students in disciplines such as criminology, social work, healthcare, psychology, and education, and an invaluable resource for law enforcement staff, nurses, psychologists, therapists, social workers, teachers, and other professionals who work with victims of stalking.




Psycho-Criminological Perspective of Criminal Justice in Asia


Book Description

This book offers both theoretical and practical examinations of the psycho-criminology of criminal justice in Asia, with particular emphasis on the Hong Kong and Singapore contexts. It is designed to present the current state of the field, which addresses key topics in three major sub-areas – policing and legal system, offender rehabilitation and treatment, and research and future directions. Written by academics with extensive research experience in their respective topics and senior ranking practitioners in their fields, topics include psychologists’ involvement in different aspects of forensic investigation, police emotional reactions to major incidents, the application of psychological approaches in developing offender rehabilitation and treatment modules to address different offender’s criminogenic needs, and legal issues related to the insanity defence, fitness to plead, the jury system, and the procedural justice and legitimacy. An important reference for post-graduate courses, this book will be of special interest to criminologists and psychologists working in forensic settings, mental health professionals, policy-makers, police personnel, prison officials, and legal executives. Chapters include: 1. Youth gang offenders in Singapore 2. Offender rehabilitation: the Hong Kong Correctional Services Department 3. Juries as decision makers in East Asian judicial systems: Hong Kong, the Mainland China, South Korea, and Japan 4. The psychology of violent extremism: what we know and what else we need to do




Animal Abuse and Interpersonal Violence


Book Description

A comprehensive examination of the causes of, and links between, interpersonal and interspecies violence Animal Abuse and Interpersonal Violence: A Psycho-Criminological Understanding addresses the many aspects of the link between animal cruelty and human violence. Presenting new theory, research, policy, and practice, this authoritative volume explores the subject through a psycho-criminological lens to describe, explain, and potentially prevent intentional behavior that causes pain, suffering, or death in animals and humans. With an integrated theoretical-practical approach, Animal Abuse and Interpersonal Violence offers up-to-date research and provides real-world insights into current thinking in the study of animal abuse and interpersonal violence. Sixteen in-depth chapters by a multidisciplinary team of active researchers and experienced field practitioners examine central topics in the field, including different forms of animal exploitation, connections between animal cruelty and substance abuse, the association between childhood animal cruelty and adult interpersonal violence, the role of veterinarians in the identification of animal abuse cases, the complex legal aspects of animal abuse cases, and more. Advances scholarship on animal abuse, its relationship with interpersonal violence, and the psycho-criminological mechanisms involved in that relationship Introduces readers to contemporary research on a range of topics and issues related to animal abuse and interpersonal violence Examines the origins of animal cruelty, its societal implications, and various prevention and treatment approaches Defines and describes various types of animal maltreatment and their links to different forms of interpersonal violence Animal Abuse and Interpersonal Violence: A Psycho-Criminological Understanding is essential reading for practitioners, researchers, scholars, and advanced students in fields such as behavioral science, law, criminology, veterinary forensics, criminal justice, law enforcement, social work, sociology, social sciences, education, and animal welfare.




Criminological Approaches to International Criminal Law


Book Description

A practical guide to what motivates international crimes and how these are structured and investigated in theory and practice.




The Psychopathology of Crime


Book Description

This book takes an uncompromising look at how we define psychopathology and makes the argument that criminal behavior can and perhaps should be considered a disorder. Presenting sociological, genetic, neurochemical, brain-imaging, and psychophysiological evidence, it discusses the basis for criminal behavior and suggests, contrary to popular belief, that such behavior may be more biologically determined than previously thought. Presents a new conceptual approach to understanding crime as a disorder Is the most extensive review of biological predispositions to criminal behavior to date Analyzes the familial and extra-familial causes of crime Reviews the predispositions to crime including evolution and genetics, and the neuropsychological, psychophysiological, brain-imaging, neurochemical, and cognitive factors Presents the practical implications of viewing crime as a psychopathology in the contexts of free will, punishment, treatment, and future biosocial research




Trauma Bonding and Interpersonal Crimes


Book Description

A COLLECTION OF RECENT RESEARCH AND REAL-LIFE REPORTS ON TRAUMA BONDING IN MANY CONTEXTS OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE Trauma bonding, the emotional attachment victims develop toward their abusers or captors, has been repeatedly observed in victims of interpersonal crimes – yet little is known about its formation, persistence, and positive resolution in survivors. Trauma Bonding and Interpersonal Crimes provides a timely review of existing theoretical conceptualizations and research findings on trauma bonding in relation to various forms of interpersonal crimes, including human trafficking, intimate partner violence, child sexual abuse, cults, kidnapping, gang violence, and terrorism. With an accessible and reader-friendly style, lead author Joan A. Reid examines the concept of trauma bonding while offering insights into the consequences of how the phenomenon is framed in the public discourse and the professional sectors. Twelve chapters investigate key topics ranging from methodological issues and research limitations to current debates on victimology within academic disciplines such as criminology, psychology, social work, sociology, and public health. Providing a holistic approach to the subject, Trauma Bonding and Interpersonal Crimes: Highlights the complexities of intervention and treatment for trauma survivors and clinicians Explores the implications for policy related to trauma bonding Recommends potential avenues for integrated theory and research Features case studies that combine individual examples and evidence-based research Includes definitions of terms, critical thinking questions, and further readings in each chapter Part of Wiley’s Psycho-Criminology of Crime, Mental Health, and the Law series, Trauma Bonding and Interpersonal Crimesis an invaluable resource for upper-level undergraduate and graduate students, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners in areas related to victims of human trafficking, intimate partner violence, and child sexual abuse.