In my experience , I saw that many individuals experienced cognitive , physical and functional difficulties that prevented them from being able to engage in domestic or meaningful and purposeful activities .”
He says : ‘ This meant that there was consistency and continuity in the patients ’ care , both in and out the prison . The fact that the assessment was standardised and looked at the detailed level of functioning , both physical and cognitive , was of use in identifying difficulties .
‘ For example , how someone moves , aligns themselves or grasps objects , and how they attend to tasks and break the skills down , that is attends , heeds , organises and restores , to name a few .
‘ With this level of breakdown , I totally understood the importance of the level of depth of observation and recording was happening . As such , the tool picked up deficits and strengths for both physical and functional cognitive skills , which I felt other tools , such as the Model of Human Occupation single observation , wouldn ’ t pick up .’
Shane concludes : ‘ As a result of this , we could make onward referrals to the multidisciplinary teams and community support while the patient was in prison that could be in place for the day of their liberation . It also meant future assessments would then maintain consistency , with the same guidelines used from the AMPS , as opposed to just the therapist ’ s perspective .
‘ To summarise , I believe the AMPS assessment tool is one that I would be definitely recommending for use within a prison environment , not just for the benefits identified here , but also for enabling an occupational therapy focus to be retained throughout the holistic patient care process .’
Zeltzer L et al ( 2010 ). Assessment of Motor and Process Skills ( AMPS ), Available at https :// strokengine . ca / en / assessments / assessment-of-motor-and-process-skillsamps /# Overview [ accessed 10 October 2022 ]
Resource Link
Brown G , Bos E , Brady G ( 2021 ) ‘ Building health and wellbeing in prison : Learning from the Master Gardener Programme in a Midlands prison ’. In : Maycock M , Meek R , Woodall J ( eds ) Issues and innovations in prison health research . Palgrave Studies in Prisons and Penology . Palgrave Macmillan , Cham . DOI : https :// doi . org / 10.1007 / 978- 3-030-46401-1 _ 7 .
Buck K , Cochran A , Young H , Gordon MJ , Yuen HK , Tucker SC ( 2022 ). ‘ The facilitators and barriers faced when transitioning back into the community following a prison sentence ’. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology , 66 ( 10 – 11 ): 1156 – 1174 . DOI : https :// doi . org / 10.1177 / 0306624X211013518 .
Capuzzi E , Caldiroli A , Besana F , et al ( 2021 ) ‘ The association between childhood trauma and lifetime suicide attempts among a sample of male prisoners : A pilot observational study ’. Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine . May ; 80 : 102180 . DOI : 10.1016 / j . jflm . 2021.102180 . PMID : 33991929 .
Chard G ( 2000 ) ‘ An investigation into the use of the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills ( AMPS ) in clinical practice ’. British Journal of Occupational Therapy , 63 ( 10 ): 481-488 .
Tilenni I , Parente M , Berardi A , Panuccio F , Tofani M , Galeoto G ( 2020 ) ‘ The role of the occupational therapist in prison rehabilitation program : systematic review ’. Senses and Sciences , 7 ( 1 ). Available online https :// sensesandsciences . com / index . php / Senses / article / view / 180 .
Wallace D and Wang X ( 2020 ) ‘ Does inprison physical and mental health impact recidivism ?’ SSM-population health , 11 : 100569 . DOI : https :// doi . org / 10.1016 / j . ssmph . 2020.100569 .
Words SHANE ROBERTS , Specialist Occupational Therapist , NHS Scotland
40 OTnews February 2023