Elder Elizabeth, Werner Shannon, Oam Julia Crilly
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
Department of Emergency Medicine, Gold Coast Health, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
Aust Occup Ther J. 2025 Aug;72(4):e70042. doi: 10.1111/1440-1630.70042.
The number people in custodial settings (i.e., jails and prisons) is increasing globally. In addition to detention and supervision, rehabilitation and skill development are often key goals of corrective services. The high care needs and vulnerability of detainees can often make this challenging, requiring input from a variety of health-care professionals, including occupational therapists. The aim of this scoping review was to synthesise the peer-reviewed literature regarding the role of occupational therapists in custodial settings, the challenges occupational therapists experience in custodial settings, and the impact of occupational therapy on outcomes for people in custody.
A scoping review guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute approach was undertaken. Three online databases (CINAHL, EMBASE, and the Criminal Justice Database [PROQUEST]) were searched from January 2013 to May 2024. Studies were included if the Population was occupational therapist(s), the Context was a custodial setting (jail/prison/correctional facility), and the Concept was the role of, challenges to, and the outcome/s of occupational therapy. The Mixed Methods Assessment Tool was used to appraise study quality.
There was no consumer or community involvement.
Eleven studies were included in this review; three mixed methods studies, one participatory research design, and one critical reflection, with the quality of evidence varying. The role of occupational therapists was primarily in providing direct care. Challenges experienced by occupational therapists were classified into four categories: (i) engagement, (ii) environmental, (iii) governance, and (iv) resourcing. Acts of violence and recidivism rates decreased in detainees who received occupational therapy.
Despite the often-restrictive nature of jails and prisons, occupational therapists working in custodial settings are in a unique position to develop and implement interventions that support detainees with developing life skills and improve post incarceration employment opportunities. This in turn is suggested to contribute to reduced recidivism.
People held in prisons and jails often have health and social care needs. Not meeting these needs can lead to housing and job problems after being released. Occupational therapists have an important job. Little is known about what occupational therapists do in custodial settings. This review sought to understand this. Findings showed that staff and detainees liked having occupational therapists. They helped with managing the detainees' feelings and reduce anger. They also helped detainees to get a job and housing after being released.
全球范围内，羁押场所（即监狱和看守所）的人数在不断增加。除了拘留和监管外，康复和技能发展通常也是矫正服务的关键目标。被拘留者的高护理需求和脆弱性往往使这具有挑战性，需要包括职业治疗师在内的各种医疗保健专业人员的参与。本范围综述的目的是综合同行评审文献，探讨职业治疗师在羁押场所中的作用、职业治疗师在羁押场所遇到的挑战以及职业治疗对被羁押人员结局的影响。
采用乔安娜·布里格斯研究所方法进行范围综述。检索了三个在线数据库（CINAHL、EMBASE和刑事司法数据库[PROQUEST]），检索时间为2013年1月至2024年5月。纳入的研究需满足：研究对象为职业治疗师；研究背景为羁押场所（监狱/看守所/惩教设施）；研究概念为职业治疗的作用、挑战及结果。使用混合方法评估工具评估研究质量。
未涉及消费者或社区参与。
本综述纳入了11项研究；3项混合方法研究、1项参与式研究设计和1项批判性反思，证据质量各不相同。职业治疗师的作用主要是提供直接护理。职业治疗师遇到的挑战分为四类：（i）参与度，（ii）环境，（iii）管理，（iv）资源。接受职业治疗的被拘留者的暴力行为和再犯率有所下降。
尽管监狱和看守所通常具有限制性，但在羁押场所工作的职业治疗师处于独特地位，能够制定和实施干预措施，支持被拘留者发展生活技能并改善出狱后的就业机会。这反过来被认为有助于降低再犯率。
被关押在监狱和看守所的人通常有健康和社会护理需求。不满足这些需求可能导致出狱后面临住房和就业问题。职业治疗师有一项重要工作。人们对职业治疗师在羁押场所的工作知之甚少。本综述旨在了解这一点。研究结果表明，工作人员和被拘留者都喜欢有职业治疗师。他们帮助管理被拘留者的情绪并减少愤怒。他们还帮助被拘留者在出狱后获得工作和住房。
