Phone: 385 (41) 61 20 197
Summary: The interactive model od man - environment relations served
to outline the concept of psychosocial climate. It was further used to
elaborate practical applications in penal institutions. Factors
contributing to the climate in prisons were analyzed, but also
alternatives which may help reduce prison populations. Two preliminaray
versions of the scale for assessing psychosocial climate in penal
institutions were administered to a sample of inmates and staff working in
same institutions. Two equivalent forms PSK-A and PSK-B (meaning
"psychosocial climate") were made, each containing 89 items with superior
psychometric properties. A cross validation was done by administering one
of the two forms of the scale to inmates in all penal institutions in
Croatia. Manual to accompany the PSK scale was completed. Scales enable
evaluation of results at the level of each institution but also at an
individual level for diagnostic purposes. The scale are primarily aimed
for psychologists working within the penal system, but other qualified
personnel will be able to use them too.
Keywords: Psychosocial climate, climate in prisons, penal system reform, alternative sanctions,
Research goals: The goal is to develop two paralel forms of a scale
for assessing psychosocial climate in penal institutions. Final version
of the scale will be accompanied by a manual. Scales will be routinely
used by professionals working with prison inmates. The scale will further
provide a tool for systematic and quantitative evaluation of climate in
penal institutions, which in turn can serve as a criterion whether
particular goals are being achieved within an instituion or the penal
system when changes are being introduced. It can also be used to assess
individual differences in perceiving psychosocial situation of inmates,
but also that of the staff. High discrepany between the two can be a sign
of potential conflicts.