NCJ Number
18106
Editor(s)
R E HOSFORD,
C S MOSS
Date Published
1975
Length
271 pages
Annotation
A COLLECTION OF WRITINGS OF THE STAFF MEMBERS AND INMATES AT THE FEDERAL PENITENTIARY AT LOMPOC (CA), IN WHICH THE EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAMS IN TREATMENT AND COUNSELING OF LOMPOC INMATES ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
THIS VOLUME IS DESIGNED TO HELP PSYCHOLOGISTS, SOCIAL WORKERS, PSYCHIATRISTS; AND LAY PERSONS TO GAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF PRISON PROBLEMS AND THE PROGRAMS BEING IMPLEMENTED TO HELP REHABILITATE THE YOUNG ADULT OFFENDER. THE EDITORS FIRST PROVIDE A SECTION ON THE CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMS IMPLEMENTED TO HELP REDUCE INMATE DEPRESSION, HOSTILITY, AND SOCIAL WITHDRAWAL. MAINTAINING THAT THE ONLY WAY FOR PRISONERS TO LEARN SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR IS THROUGH CONTACT WITH SOCIETY OUTSIDE THE PRISON SETTING, THEY SUGGEST THAT PRISON WALLS WILL HAVE TO EXTEND INTO LOCAL COMMUNITIES. THE SECTION CONTAINS CHAPTERS BY THE WARDEN OF THE FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTITION AT LOMPOC, BY A UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR WHO SPECIALIZES IN GROUP THERAPY, AND BY A FEMALE PSYCHIATRIST. THE SECOND SECTION DESCRIBES SPECIFIC COUNSELING CASES WHICH SUPPORT THE EDITORS' BELIEF THAT TRADITIONAL LONG-TERM PSYCHOTHERAPY IS OUTMODED IN PRISONS (IF NOT IN SOCIETY IN GENERAL). THEY SUGGEST THAT BRIEF, CRISIS-ORIENTED SESSIONS ARE MORE PRACTICAL AND OFTEN EQUALLY EFFECTIVE. CASE STUDIES ARE PRESENTED WHICH DESCRIBE A VARIETY OF TECHNIQUES USED TO HELP INMATES WITH STUTTERING, COMPULSIVE EXHIBITIONISM AND HOMOSEXUALLY, RECURRENT NIGHTMARES, DRUG ABUSE, CHRONIC SCHIZOPHRENIA, AND DRUG-INDUCED PSYCHOSIS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)