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The University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NZ, T +44 (0)1227 764000
Dr Jane WoodSenior Lecturer in Forensic Psychology |
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Research interests
- Prison gang activity
- Street gang formation and activity
- Bullying in prison and schools
- Public opinion of criminal justice
Key Publications
Wood, J., Williams, G. & James, M., (2010). Incapacitation and Imprisonment: Prisoners' Involvement in Community-based Crime. Psychology Crime and Law, 16, 601-614.
Wood, J., & Alleyne, E. (2010). Street gang theory and research: Where are we now and where do we go from here? Special Issue: Group Processes and Aggression. Gannon, T.A. and Wood J.L., (Eds) Aggression and Violent Behavior, pp. 100-111.
Wood, J. & Moir, A. and James M, (2009). Prisoners' gang-related activity: the importance of bullying and moral disengagement. Psychology Crime and Law, 15, 569-581.
Wood, J., Kade, C. & Sidhu, M.(2009). What works for offenders and staff: Comparing two multi-agency approaches to offender resettlement. Pscyhology, Crime & Law, 15, 661-678.
Barnett, G., & Wood, J. (2008). Agency, relatedness, inner peace and problem-solving in sexual offending: How sexual offenders prioritise and operationalise their Good Lives conceptions, Sexual Abuse, 20 (4), 444-465.
Also view these in the Kent Academic Repository
Articles
Pornari, Chrysoula and Wood, J.L. (2010)
Peer and cyber aggression in secondary school students: the role of moral disengagement, hostile attribution bias, and outcome expectancies.
Aggressive Behavior, 36 (2). pp. 81-94. ISSN 0096-140X.
Abstract
This study investigated the relationship between cognitive mechanisms, applied by people to rationalize and justify harmful acts, and engagement in traditional peer and cyber aggression among school children. We examined the contribution of moral disengagement (MD), hostile attribution bias, and outcome expectancies, and we further explored the individual contribution of each MD mechanism. Our aim was to identify shared and unique cognitive factors of the two forms of aggression. Three hundred and thirty-nine secondary school children completed self-report measures that assessed MD, hostile attribution bias, outcome expectancies, and their roles and involvement in traditional and cyber aggression. We found that the MD total score positively related to both forms of peer-directed aggression. Furthermore, traditional peer aggression positively related to children's moral justification, euphemistic language, displacement of responsibility and outcome expectancies, and negatively associated with hostile attribution bias. Moral justification also related positively to cyber aggression. Cyber aggression and cyber victimization were associated with high levels of traditional peer aggression and victimization, respectively. The results suggest that MD is a common feature of both traditional and cyber peer aggression, but it seems that traditional forms of aggression demand a higher level of rationalization or justification. Moreover, the data suggest that the expectation of positive outcomes from harmful behavior facilitates engagement in traditional peer aggression. The differential contribution of specific cognitive mechanisms indicates the need for future research to elaborate on the current findings, in order to advance theory and inform existing and future school interventions tackling aggression and bullying.
Wood, J.L. and Alleyne, E.K.A. (2010)
Street gang theory and research: Where are we now and where do we go from here?
Aggression and Violent Behavior., 15 (2). pp. 100-111. ISSN 1359-1789.
Abstract
Recent years have seen an upsurge of attention paid to street gangs as scholars and criminal justice officials strive to understand and counteract the effects of gang membership. Yet, despite a wealth of theoretical frameworks and empirical findings, even fundamental issues such as an agreed definition continue to elude us. We consider some of the most influential theoretical frameworks and associated empirical findings and find that as it stands, our knowledge on gangs is still limited and rather muddy. We suggest that future directions should adopt a more multidisciplinary approach to the study of gangs. To this end, we argue that there is a role for psychology in this important body of work, and that its involvement will provide us with a deeper and more meaningful understanding of gangs and the youth who join them.
Wood, J.L. and Williams, G. and James, M. (2010)
Incapacitation and Imprisonment: Prisoners Involvement in Community-based Crime.
Psychology Crime and Law, 16 (7). pp. 601-614. ISSN 1068-316x.
Abstract
The impact of incapacitation on prisoners offending behavior is a neglected area of research. The aim of this study was to examine the extent and nature of prisoners involvement in community-based crime in the U.K. Participants were selected from nine prisons in the UK and consisted of 360 prisoners, 81 females and 279 males. Offenders were interviewed to assess levels and forms of involvement in community-based crime and perceptions of other prisoners involvement. Levels of prisonization and institutional and demographic characteristics were used to identify vulnerability to involvement in community-based crime. Twenty-five percent of the sample admitted personal involvement and 63% reported other prisoners involvement in a diverse range of crimes. Analyses revealed prisoners involved in community-based crime are likely to be young, male recidivists who hold prisonized attitudes. Prisoners who are white, prisonized and recidivist reported highest levels of other prisoners involvement in community-based crime. No age or gender differences delineated prisoners reports of others involvement. The results show that incarcerating offenders may not prevent their involvement in community-based offending. Discussion centres on the characteristics of involved prisoners and considers the implications of the results for rehabilitation and penal policy.
Alleyne, Emma and Wood, Jane (2010)
Gang involvement: Psychological and BehavioralCharacteristics of Gang Members, Peripheral Youth,and Nongang Youth.
Aggressive Behavior, 36 (6). pp. 423-436. ISSN 0096-140X.
Abstract
Research has noted the existence of a loose and dynamic gang structure. However, the psychological processes that underpin gang membership have only begun to be addressed. This study examined gang members, peripheral youth, and non-gang youth across measures of criminal activity, the importance they attach to status, their levels of moral disengagement, their perceptions of out-group threat, and their attitudes toward authority. Of the seven hundred and ninety eight high school students who participated in this study, 59 were identified as gang members, 75 as peripheral youth and 664 as non-gang youth. Gang members and peripheral youth were more delinquent than non-gang youth overall, however, gang members committed more minor offenses than non-gang youth and peripheral youth committed more violent offenses than non-gang youth. Gang members were more anti-authority than non-gang youth, and both gang and peripheral youth valued social status more than non-gang youth. Gang members were also more likely to blame their victims for their actions and use euphemisms to sanitize their behavior than non-gang youth; whereas peripheral youth were more likely than non-gang youth to displace responsibility onto their superiors. These findings are discussed as they highlight the importance of examining individual differences in the cognitive processes that relate to gang involvement.
Wood, J.L. and Kade, C and Sidhu, M. (2009)
What works for offenders and staff: Comparing two multi-agency approaches to offender resettlement.
Psychology Crime and Law, 15 (7). pp. 661-678. ISSN 1068-316x.
Abstract
Between 2005 and 2007, the Kent and Medway Resettlement Programme (KMRP) piloted EXODUS (ex-offenders discharged under supervision), a multi-agency support system for identified prolific and priority offenders (IPPOs). Unlike traditional models of multi-agency support, EXODUS agencies work from the same location to maximize support for IPPOs, and inter- and intra-agency support for staff. This study assessed the perceived effectiveness of EXODUS. EXODUS staff and IPPOs were interviewed and their responses compared to those of traditional multi-agency support staff and IPPOs. Analysis showed that EXODUS IPPOs had committed fewer offences since receiving support than did comparison IPPOs. Neither group was more likely to be employed, but of those who were, EXODUS IPPOs were more likely to remain employed than comparison IPPOs. Most, regardless of type of support structure, recommended their programme and staff, although EXODUS IPPOs were more satisfied with the support they received. Staff believed that an expansion of the multi-agency approach was needed and that agency roles should be more clearly defined. EXODUS staff expressed higher efficacy in their own and colleagues ability to provide effective support and improved inter-agency relations and support from co-workers. However, EXODUS and comparison staff did not differ in levels of job satisfaction.
Zalaf, Alexia and Wood, J.L. (2009)
A Comparison of Attitudes to the Police Between Greek Cypriots and Ethnic Minorities Living in Cyprus.
International Criminal Justice Review, 19 (4). pp. 381-399. ISSN 1057-5677.
Abstract
The attitudes of 66 ethnic minorities and 152 Cypriots toward the police were examined
according to age, experience of criminal victimization, and race. Questions were based on
the British Crime Survey (BCS) and the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) and
were translated into Greek. Results showed low levels of experience of possession crime
and crime against the person in Cypriots and ethnic minorities, with no difference in these
experiences between the two groups. Attitudes to the police were predicted by age and
ethnicity with younger participants and Cypriots holding more negative attitudes than older
participants and ethnic minorities. Victimization experience did not predict attitudes. Some
victims of crime, who had not reported the crime to the police, stated that their reasons for
not doing so were because of their lack of trust in the polices ability to do something about
the incident. Discussion centers on reasons why differences in attitudes toward the police
might exist and the implications of the findings for the Cypriot police force in terms of
public relations.
Wood, J.L. and Moir, A. and James, M. (2009)
Prisoners gang-related activity: the importance of bullying and moral disengagement.
Psychology Crime and Law, 15 (6). pp. 569-581. ISSN 1068-316x.
Abstract
Gang-related activity can have a significant impact on the effective management of prisons in the UK, yet little is known about the characteristics of the prisoners involved. I it this study, 141 adult male prisoners' gang-related activity was examined in relation to their bullying behaviour and use of moral disengagement. Results showed that prisoners most involved in gang-related activity were likely to have spent a longer total time in the prison system, be perpetrators of bullying and have high levels of moral disengagement. Findings also show that moral disengagement partially mediates the relationship between bullying and gang-related activity Implications for treatment programmes and the prison estate are discussed.
Barnett, G. and Wood, J.L. (2008)
Agency, relatedness, inner peace and problem-solvingin sexual offending: How sexual offenders prioritise and operationalise their Good Lives conceptions.
Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment, 20 (4). pp. 444-465. ISSN 1079-0632.
Abstract
Untreated imprisoned sexual offenders (N = 42) completed interviews and questionnaires to establish the priority they assigned, at the time of their offending, to three "goods" from the good lives model and to gain insight into how they operationalized these goods at that time. The relationship between the priorities offenders assigned to the goods of ( a) agency, ( b) relatedness, and ( c) inner peace at the time of offending and their problem-solving ability was also explored. A measure of problem-solving ability was obtained with the Social Problem-Solving Inventory-Revised, and a measure of functional and dysfunctional problem solving was obtained from its scales. The results suggest that sexual offenders tend to experience problems in prioritizing, rather than operationalizing, inner peace, as this good is not related to problem-solving ability but tends to be assigned lower priority than agency and relatedness. Although agency and relatedness tend to be given higher importance, and this is related to better problem-solving ability, there appear to be problems with scope in some offenders' good lives conceptions and problems with the capacity, means, and conflict among the means used to achieve these goods. Directions for future research are suggested.
South, C.R. and Wood, J. (2006)
Bullying in Prisons: the Importance of Perceived Social Status, Prisonization and Moral Disengagement.
Aggressive Behavior, 32 (5). pp. 490-501. ISSN 0096-140X.
Abstract
Research has focused on the environmental causes of bullying in prison, but neglected the intrinsic characteristics of bullies. Although the importance of social status in prison has been noted as one factor that may influence bullying, no empirical research has yet addressed this. The main aim of this study was to investigate whether the perceived importance of social status in prison motivates bullying, with the subsidiary aim of exploring whether moral disengagement and prisonization influence the relationship. A total of 132 adult male prisoners were interviewed and categorized as a bully, victim, bully/victim or not involved. The prevalence of bullying was high, with over half the prisoners being both a victim and perpetrator of bullying. As predicted, bullying was positively related to the perceived importance of social status; prisoners involved in bullying valued social status more than those who were not. Furthermore, moral disengagement mediated the relationship between bullying and social status. Prisonization was also related to the perceived importance of social status, moral disengagement and bullying. It is concluded that a desire to achieve social status in prison may contribute to bullying. Furthermore, prisonized attitudes may instill values such as social status into prisoners and may also help facilitate cognitive distortions such as moral disengagement, which in turn, may serve to maintain involvement in bullying activity.
Wood, J.L. (2006)
Gang Activity in English Prisons: The Prisoners Perspective.
Psychology Crime and Law, 12 (6). pp. 605-617. ISSN 1068-316X.
Abstract
Gang activity in American prisons has resulted in serious problems for prisoners and staff (e.g. Fong & Buentello 1991; Stevens 1997). This study assessed prisoners perceptions of gang-event frequency in the U.K. Interviews with 360 prisoners from 9 prisons in England and Wales indicated gang-related events were perceived as more frequent in all male categories of prison than they were in female institutions. Prisoners reported drug possession and prisoner groups being formed along regional origins as the most frequent gang related activities. Recidivists perceived higher levels of gang related activity than did first time prisoners. Gang related variables also predicted prisoners perceptions that groups of prisoners have more control over events in the prison than do staff and that order in the prison may not be maintained. The merits of interviewing prisoners and the implications of the results for maintaining order in prison are discussed.
Wood, J.L. and Edwards, K.S.S. (2005)
Victimization of Mentally Ill Patients Living in the Community: Is it a Lifestyle issue?
Legal and Criminological Psychology, 10 (2). pp. 279-290. ISSN 1355-3259.
Abstract
Purpose. Although criminal victimization of mentally ill patients has been researched, what little work there is focuses on in-patient samples. This study aimed to compare crimes against mentally ill patients living in the community with crimes against students who have a high life-style risk of victimization.
Methods. The samples were selected via community-based mental health services and a university population. A group of 40 mentally ill patients and 80 students reported experiences of victimization in the previous 12 months and attitudes towards the police.
Results. Female mentally ill patients reported the highest victimization, but both male and female patients reported more victimization than did students. Mentally ill patients also held more negative opinions of the police.
Conclusions. The results show that mentally ill patients experience more victimization when compared with the victimization experiences of a similar life-style risk group. Discussion focuses on the implications for mentally ill patients living in the community, the support networks available to them, and relations between the police and mentally ill patients.
Wood, J.L. and Edwards, K.S.S. (2005)
Victimisation of Mentally Ill Patients Living in the Community: Is it a Lifestyle issue?
Legal and Criminological Pscyhology.
Wood, J.L. and Newton, A.K. (2003)
The role of personality and blame attribution in prisoners' experiences of anger.
Personality and Individual Differences, 34 (8). pp. 1453-1465. ISSN 0191-8869.
Abstract
The emotion of anger has gained researchers' interest in recent years [Novaco (1994) In: J. Monahan & M. J. Steadman (Eds.), Violence and mental disorder.- developments in risk assessment. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press; (1997) Legal and Criminological Psychology, 2, 77]. However, it is still unclear what influences the expression of anger. The current study investigated the relationship between anger, personality and blame attribution in Icelandic prisoners. Sixty-nine male offenders completed the Gudjonsson Blame Attribution Inventory, the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire and the Novaco Anger Scale. No differences were found in the anger levels of violent/non-violent offenders. Results indicated that recidivism, psychoticism and neuroticism were predictive of anger levels, but no relationship was found between blame attribution and anger. The findings of this study suggest that in terms of anger management programmes in prison, it might be advantageous to target repeat offenders and take into account personality factors that seem to influence anger
Wood, J.L. and Newton, A.K. (2003)
The role of personality and blame attribution in prisoners' experience of anger.
Personality and Individual Differences.
Wood, J.L. and Adler, J.R. (2001)
Gang activity in English prisons: the Staff perspective.
Psychology, Crime and Law, 7 (2). pp. 167-192. ISSN 1068-316X.
Abstract
Gang behaviour has been associated with serious problems in American prisons (e.g., Fong and Buentello, 199 1). This study explored the possible existence of indicators of gang activity in English prisons. Surveys of problems consistent with gang activity were completed by 374 prison staff in 16 prisons that were representative of the English Prison Estate. Results showed significant differences between categories of institution. The most gang-related activity was reported in male Medium security prisons and Young Offender Institutions. The lowest reported incidence was in both male Low and High security prisons. Female establishments demonstrated levels lower only than Medium security male prisons. Discussion focuses concern on the levels of gang activity apparently present in the Medium security English Prisons and suggests directions for further research.
Book Sections
Wood, J.L. (2008)
Why Public Opinion of the Criminal Justice System is Important.
In: Wood, J.L. and Gannon, T.A. Public opinion and criminal justice. Willan, Cullompton, pp. 33-48. ISBN 9781843924012.
Gannon, T.A. and Wood, J.L. (2007)
Child sexual abuse-related cognition: Current Research.
In: Gannon, T.A. and Ward, T. and Beech, A.R. et al. Aggressive offenders cognition: Theory research and practice. Wiley Series in Forensic Clinical Psychology. John Wiley, Chichester, pp. 71-91. ISBN 9780470034026.
Wood, J.L. and Viki, G.T. (2004)
Public perceptions of Crime and Punishment.
In: Adler, J. Forensic Psychology: Concepts, Debates and Practice. Willan Publishing, United Kingdom, pp. 16-36. ISBN 9781843920106.
Edited Books
Wood, J.L. and Gannon, T.A. (2008)
Public Opinion and Criminal Justice.
Willan, Cullompton, 272 pp. ISBN 9781843924012.
Research Reports
Wood, J.L. and Viki, G.T. (2001)
Public attitudes to crime and punishment: A review of the research.
Funded/commissioned by: Esmee Fairbairn Charitable Trust, UK. Esmee Fairbairn Charitable Trust
Current Research Students
Emma Alleyne: Gang membership: An exploration of the psychological characteristics
Mark James: Title TBC
Tracey Wallace: Title TBC
Nikolaos Zygouris: The application of positive psychology intervention for reducing anxiety and depression in addicted populations
2010 |
T A Gannon, J Wood, A Pina & E Vasquez |
£324, 417 |
2010 |
J Wood |
£28, 525 |
2009 |
J Wood |
£15,000 |
2008 |
J Wood |
£101.368 |
2007 |
J Wood |
£12,000 |
2003-2004 |
J Wood |
£14,000 |
2003 |
J Wood |
£16,000 |
2001 |
J Wood |
£3,000 |
Teaching
SP637 Forensic Psychology: Theoretical and Applied Perspectives
SP806 Psychology of Law and Justice
Other academic activities
HPC Registered Forensic Psychologist
Senior Tutor, School of Psychology, University of Kent
Member of Editorial Board, British Journal of Forensic Practice
Lead Editor - Wood, J., Gannon, T. A., (2008). Public Opinion and Criminal Justice. Willan Publishing.
School of Psychology
Keynes College
University of Kent
Canterbury, Kent
CT2 7NP
United Kingdom
Tel. +44 (0)1227 823037
Fax. +44 (0)1227 827030
Email: Jane Wood
Office: Keynes E1.13
Office Hours: Monday 10-11am, Wednesday 2-3pm