Assault-Treatment Facilities (From Insights Into Violence in Contemporary Canadian Society, P 108-114, 1987, James M MacLatchie, ed. -- See NCJ-122437)

• NCJ Number: 122446
• Author(s): R Langevin
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 7 pages
• Sale Source: John Howard Soc of Canada
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: Canada
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

This paper examines the features of maximum-security hospitals and maximum-security prisons in Canada, Great Britain, and the United States.

Abstract

Criticisms of many of the institutions visited by the author include geographical remoteness, a line staff subculture that nurtures a "them-and-us" mentality toward the residents, an obsession with security, neglected physical facilities, an absence of graded levels of physical security, and inappropriate matching of treatment method to offender needs. Many of the facilities were not well funded due to the low priority given to the resident populations, and full-time mental health staff were difficult to obtain. Most facilities operated under a consultant system. The Canadian facility at Edmonton is given high praise. The atmosphere and the facility resemble a hospital rather than a prison. The nursing station has a 360-degree view, and the occupational therapy and teaching facilities are extensive. Recreational facilities include a large gymnasium and swimming pool. It has multiple levels of security from maximum to minimum as well as an integrated outpatient followup in the community. The facility is part of a center with other psychiatric facilities that have a university affiliation.