INTAKE GROUP COUNSELING (FROM AMERICAN CORRECTIONAL ASSOCIATION - 108TH ANNUAL CONGRESS OF CORRECTION, 1978 - SEE NCJ-59753)

• NCJ Number: 59758
• Author(s): P HOTFELDER; A D SACHS
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 12 pages
• Corporate Author: American Correctional Association
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

INTAKE GROUP COUNSELING SESSIONS AS PROMOTED BY THE MISSOURI BOARD OF PROBATION AND PAROLE, CAN INTRODUCE CLIENTS TO THE FULL RANGE OF PROBATION AND PAROLE SERVICES IN SUCH A WAY AS TO MAXIMIZE PROGRAM BENEFITS.

Abstract

PRIOR TO THE USE OF THESE TECHNIQUES, INMATES PLACED IN PROBATION OR PAROLE WOULD HAVE NO FORMAL INTRODUCTION TO THE SYSTEM. THEY WERE UNCERTAIN ABOUT THEIR PROBATION OR PAROLE OFFICERS, THEIR STATUS WITHIN THE SYSTEM, AND THE SERVICES WHICH WERE OFFERED. THE MISSOURI BOARD OF PROBATION AND PAROLE HAS STRUCTURED ITS INTAKE GROUP COUNSELING APPROACH TO MAKE CLIENTS ACTIVE AND INFORMED PARTNERS IN HELPING THEM TO SUCCESSFULLY ADAPT TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD. THE BOARD ASSUMES THAT CLIENTS ARE MOTIVATED TO BE SUCCESSFUL, AND THAT THEY HAVE GOALS FOR THE FUTURE. THE BOARD WORKS WITH CLIENTS TO HELP THEM FIND WAYS TO ACHIEVE THESE GOALS AND TEACHES CLIENTS HOW TO OVERCOME THEIR PROBLEMS. THIS PROCESS IS FORMALIZED IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND SIGNING OF CONTRACTS BETWEEN THE STAFF AND THE CLIENTS. HOWEVER, THE PROGRAM (IN EXISTENCE SINCE 1975) HAS BEEN TROUBLED BY EXCESSIVE STAFF CASELOADS AND INADEQUATE COMMUNITY RESOURCES ON WHICH THE PROGRAM CAN DRAW. THIS LAST POINT IS PARTICULARLY TROUBLESOME SINCE THE BOARD PRIMARILY SERVES AS A BROKER OF SERVICES BETWEEN CLIENTS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (KCP)