Inmates’ physical activity as part of the health ecology

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>To evaluate the possibilities of physical activity in developing inmates’ healthy lifestyle and social skills. The research, which was conducted in 2009 in Pravieniskes First and Second Correction Houses, was local and cross-sectional using a written questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of four groups of questions/statements: I — demographic questions; II — questions/statements about inmates’ physical (sports) activities (was created for this study) and III — assessment of inmates’ social skills. And IV — assessment of inmates’ self esteem. Sufficiently physically active inmates (n=185) comprised 57.8 percent of the total number of respondents. Inmates’ physical activity statistically significantly (p&lt;0.05) correlates with their younger age. Secondary education is prevailing in the group of physically active inmates, while primary — lower secondary education predominates in the group of physically inactive inmates (n=135). Only less than 6 percent of inmates have higher education. The average age of physically active inmates is statistically significantly lower than that of physically inactive inmates, 26 and 31.6 years respectively (p=0.01). The analysis of inmates’ contentment with their psychological state and satisfaction with health care services, food quality, and conditions for sports activities showed that physically active inmates are more critical about these factors than physically inactive inmates. Only the contentment with psychological state in physically active inmates is statistically significantly higher than in inactive inmates. Out of eleven social skills assessed in the study, only two skills (ability to initiate conversation with a stranger and sense of responsibility) are statistically significant (p&lt;0.05). The probability that the convicts who have a strong sense of responsibility tend to be more physically active than the inmates who do not consider themselves responsible is 7.4 times higher. The study results showed that self-esteem in physically active inmates is statistically significantly higher that in physically inactive inmates (p=0.033). Low self-esteem was not determined in any inmates.</jats:p>

Recreation or rehabilitation? Managing sport for development programs with prison populations

“…Although there is a scarcity of literature pertaining to sport and recreation activities within prisons, a thematic analysis of available literature reveals that previous work has centred on three key themes: (1) health and wellbeing outcomes for inmates (Amtmann, Evans, & Powers, 2001;Elger, 2009;Vaiciulis, Kavaliauskas, & Radisauskas, 2011), (2) the propensity of sport and recreation to aid in the rehabilitation process (Hagan, 1989;Leberman, 2007;Mahon & Bullock, 1991;Stumbo & Little, 1991), and (3) the use of sport and recreation activities as an offender management tool (Aguilar & Asmussen, 1990;Crutchfield, Garrette, & Worrall, 1981; Martos-García, Devís-Devís, & Sparkes, 2009; Medve, 1961;Sabo, 2001). In addition, Meek (2014) bridged the fields of criminology and sport for development.…”

“…According to Vaiciulis et al (2011), one explanation for the concentration in this area is that sport and recreation ''have become the main type of activity that has a significant impact on inmates' physical, mental and social health in modern imprisonment institutions'' (p. 680).…”

“…Sabo (2001) argued that inmates participate in sport and recreation activities to ''create a healthy body in an unhealthy environment'' (p. 64). Physical wellbeing outcomes include providing alternatives to substance abuse in prison (Martos-García et al, 2009;Stö ver & Thane, 2011), reducing health risks for older inmates and inmates with a chronic disease (Amtmann et al, 2001;Perez-Moreno et al, 2007) and increasing the general physical fitness levels of inmates Nelson, Specian, Tracy, & DeMello, 2006;Vaiciulis et al, 2011;Verdot, Champely, Clé ment, & Massarelli, 2010).…”

The Right to Physical Activity in Italian Prisons: Critical Considerations on Official Data

“…Sport in prison is essential for various reasons: physical, to improve the health status of prisoners and to reduce the possibility of contracting diseases (see Tal-leu, 2011;Vaiciulis, Kavaliauskas, & Radisauskas, 2011;Francis, 2012); psychological, to combat boredom and increase the possibilities of coping and the level of resilience (see Durcan, 2008;Ozano, 2008;Breslin & Leavey, 2019); social, to increase social capital and improve the chances of social and job reintegration (see Coalter, 1996;Balibrea & Santos, 2011;Meek, Champion, & Klier, 2012). Of course, it all depends on how it is planned, managed and implemented: it is not enough to organize meetings, tournaments and matches, but sport must become a true vehicle for new relational and social opportunities (Conley, 2004).…”

Effet d’une intervention en activité physique adaptée sur le niveau de compassion des détenus

“…Tout d'abord, plusieurs recherches se sont focalisées sur les effets de programmes d'intervention sur le bien-être physique et mental (Sabo, 2001). Des travaux ont ainsi montré l'impact positif sur le bien-être physique et la condition physique des détenus (Gallant et al, 2015 ;Meek & Lewis, 2012 ;Vaiciulis, Kavaliauskas, & Radisauskas, 2011). D'autres se sont centrés sur la dimension psychologique en observant une amélioration de l'estime de soi (Sabo, 2001), une diminution des niveaux de stress, d'anxiété ou de dépression (Battaglia et al, 2015 ;Buckaloo, Krug & Nelson, 2009 ;Cashin, Potter & Butler, 2008 ;Woods et al, 2017) et le bien-être psychologique (Verdot, Champely, Clément, & Massarelli, 2010).…”