NCJ Number
137978
Journal
American Jails Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Dated: (May-June 1992) Pages: 79-83
Date Published
1992
Length
5 pages
Annotation
A description of the development of a sexual abuse educational and prevention program at the Saskatoon (Canada) Correctional Center (SCC) illustrates the need to involve staff in the development of such programs and to offer these programs to all inmates, not just identified sex offenders.
Abstract
The initial step in developing the sexual abuse intervention program was to consider various program options and the targeted audience. Discussions with staff members revealed a number of concerns relating to the identification of sex offenders to other inmates and the need to provide services to victims of sexual abuse. The proposed program at SCC would be offered to all inmates as part of the center's orientation program. The program strived to overcome potential problems by presenting the material as an institutional initiative which required unanimous participation, by ensuring that all staff participated in sexual abuse programming and training, by carefully organizing inmate groups, and by establishing incentives for inmate participation. The primary goals of the program would be to provide general information about sexual abuse to all inmates, to emphasize everyone's responsibility in stopping sexual abuse, to challenge beliefs and attitudes, to support community change within the institution, and to encourage self-exploration. Goals specific to sex offenders would include provision of information about the needs of offenders, a model and understanding of problems and change, and information about the needs of survivors. The program would consist of a 5-day series of group meetings; groups of 10 to 12 inmates and a facilitator would cover the material through videos, personal presentations, written material, group exercises, and group discussions. 15 notes