By C1 Staff
DENVER — Researchers from the American Psychological Association say they may have found a way to suppress violent inmate behavior in high-security prisons.
Lead researcher, Dr. Patricia H. Hasbach, noted that exposure to nature is necessary for physical and psychological well-being, Business Insider reported. A small pilot study conducted at the Snake River Correctional Institution in Oregon found that showing inmates nature videos led to less violence.
The research team found that negative emotions like aggression, distress, irritability, and nervousness were all reduced for several hours after the nature videos were viewed.
Even COs noticed a difference in the inmates and have started using the method as an intervention when they think an inmate is about to act out, according to the report. Originally used for inmates in solitary confinement, the videos are now being shown in other parts of the prison, as well.
“We found that inmates who watched the nature videos committed 26 percent fewer violent infractions,” Hasbach said in a statement. “This is equivalent to 13 fewer violent incidents over the year, a substantial reduction in real world conditions, since nearly all such events result in injuries to inmates or officers.”
Hasbach and her research team are hoping that this method can be used in the future at other institutions to improve inmate mentality and reduce prison violence, but much more research is needed on more varied populations of prisoners.