NCJ Number
192641
Date Published
2001
Length
540 pages
Annotation
This book provides a basic understanding of correctional psychology.
Abstract
New data and updated research are used to expand on some ideas that have taken hold in the corrections profession. Most social work and psychology texts proceed on the assumption that counseling clients are self-motivated to explore their problems. Criminal justice clients are usually reluctant to be in a counseling situation, incapable of being aware of the problems that led to this situation, and typically have a dislike for anyone who works for the system. Theories of criminal behavior from sociological, psychological, and biosocial perspectives are explored. Interviewing and counseling information is geared exclusively to the correctional client. The chapter on interviewing includes interrogation, and the chapters on counseling address individual and group counseling in both community and institutional settings. Proper assessment is recognized as a necessity before any type of counseling or other intervention is attempted. There are two chapters on assessment and classification, which include examples of the various instruments now used in corrections. A variety of cases in presentence investigation report format are presented. Correctional clients need more than counseling to turn their lives around. The correctional worker is a broker of community resources. How correctional workers can use community resources is outlined, including volunteers. At the heart of the philosophy of restorative justice is recognizing the community in the goals of contemporary corrections work. Other topics included are cognitive-behavioral approaches, group counseling, offenders’ rights, alcohol and illegal drugs, the sex offender, mentally ill offenders, and juvenile, female, and elderly offenders. Appendix