NCJ Number
47758
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 42 Issue: 1 Dated: (MARCH 1978) Pages: 34-39
Date Published
1978
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THE FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION IN BUTNER, NORTH CAROLINA, DESIGNED TO HOUSE SEVERELY PSYCHOTIC AND ACUTELY SUICIDAL OFFENDERS AND TO DEVELOP AND EVALUATE A VARIETY OF TREATMENT APPROACHES FOR THEM, IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
THE BUTNER FACILITY BECAME OPERATIONAL IN 1976. THE INMATE POPULATION OF 380 MALES IS COMPOSED PRIMARILY OF THOSE WHO HAVE COMMITTED A VIOLENT OFFENSE (77 PERCENT); 35 PERCENT OF THE INMATES HAVE HAD 11 OR MORE PRIOR ARRESTS. THE RESEARCH POPULATION CONSISTS OF 150 INMATES. BASED ON NONCOERCED PARTICIPATION AND OPTIONAL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES, THE RESEARCH PROGRAM IS AIMED AT THE CHRONIC AND VIOLENT OFFENDER WHO IS WITHIN 3 YEARS OR LESS OF RELEASE. ALL INMATES IN THIS PROGRAM HAVE ELECTED TO PARTICIPATE AND MAY OPT OUT OF THE PROGRAM AFTER 90 DAYS AT BUTNER IF THEY DESIRE, WITH NO NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES. IN ADDITION TO PARTICIPATION IN VOLUNTARY EDUCATIONAL, VOCATIONAL, AND COUNSELING PROGRAMS, EACH INMATE IS GIVEN AN INDIVIDUALIZED CONTRACT WHICH SPECIFIES HIS RESPONSIBILITIES AND OUTLINES HIS ANTICIPATED PROGRESS TOWARD RELEASE. A SECOND POPULATION OF 90 TO 100 INMATES MAKE UP THE MENTAL HEALTH POPULATION. THESE INMATES ARE TYPICALLY SUICIDAL AND ACUTELY PSYCHOTIC AND ARE IN NEED OF SHORT TERM PSYCHIATRIC DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT. PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES MAY INCLUDE COUNSELING, GROUP THERAPY, CRISIS INTERVENTION, AND ORDINARY PSYCHIATRIC ATTENTION FROM A MULTIDISCIPLINARY STAFF. THE GENERAL POPULATION IS COMPOSED OF 125 DIRECT COURT COMMITMENTS RATHER THAN REFERRALS. THESE INMATES MAY NOT OPT OUT OF PROGRAMS, BUT MAY PARTICIPATE IN ANY PROGRAMS AVAILABLE TO THE OTHER GROUPS, IN ADDITION TO MANDATORY PARTICIPATION IN REGULAR PRISON ACTIVITIES. MOST INMATES ARE HOUSED IN PRIVATE ROOMS WITH SECURE WINDOWS AND CARRY KEYS TO THEIR OWN ROOMS. MOVEMENT IS UNRESTRICTED WITH IN THE FACILITY DURING THE DAY, AND INMATES MAY CHOOSE TO WEAR CIVILIAN CLOTHES. INMATES ARE ENCOURAGED TO EXPRESS THEIR COMPLAINTS OR FEELINGS BOTH TO STAFF MEMBERS AND TO THE OTHER INMATES. INMATE BEHAVIOR HAS GENERALLY BEEN POSITIVE. APPROXIMATELY 18 PERCENT OF THE INMATES REFERRED TO BUTNER HAVE REQUESTED TRANSFER BACK TO THEIR PRIOR INSTITUTION, AND 68 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION CHOOSES TO WORK FULL TIME RATHER THAN PARTICIPATE IN ANY REHABILITATIVE PROGRAMS. THE AUTHOR CONCLUDES THAT CREDIBLE AND OPEN COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE INMATES, AS WELL AS WITH THE PUBLIC, ARE PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT TO OPTIONAL PROGRAMMING. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (JAP)