NCJ Number
67713
Journal
Monatsschrift fuer Kriminologie und Strafrechtsreform Volume: 61 Issue: 2 Dated: (APRIL 1978) Pages: 126-134
Date Published
1978
Length
9 pages
Annotation
THE PHYSICAL FACILITIES, ORGANIZATION, PERSONNEL, AND PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC TECHNIQUES OF THE NEW DR. VAN DER HOEVEN CLINIC FOR SOCIAL THERAPY IN UTRECHT, HOLLAND, ARE DESCRIBED.
Abstract
THE 90-PATIENT FACILITY IS SIMPLY CONSTRUCTED, BUT DESIGNED SO THAT PATIENTS HAVE THEIR OWN ROOMS TO ASSURE PRIVACY; APARTMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR VISITING RELATIVES. SPECIAL ROOMS (E.G., SWIMMING POOL, PARTY HALL) FOR LEISURE ACTIVITIES ARE OCCASIONALLY RENTED OUT FOR CLINIC INCOME. A SNACK BAR PERMITS PATIENTS THE OPORTUNITY TO PRACTICE MANAGING MONEY; ONLY ONE MEAL IS PREPARED BY THE CLINIC. THE INSTITUTION IS RUN BY THE DIVISION OF FORENSIC PSYCHIATRY OF THE WILLEM ARNTSZ FOUNDATION. THE PERSONNEL CONSISTS OF PSYCHOLOGISTS, SOCIAL WORKERS, AND TEACHERS. MANAGEMENT REMAINS CONSTANT, BUT TURNOVER IS HIGH AMONG RESIDENT GROUP LEADERS. LIVING GROUPS ARE SMALL AND INFORMAL, BUT CAREFULLY SUPERVISED. TREATMENT MAY TAKE THE FORM OF INDIVIDUAL PSYCHOTHERAPY, SHORT-TERM OBJECTIVE SELF-HELP GROUPS RUN BY PATIENTS WITH STAFF ASSISTANCE TO DISCUSS INDIVIDUAL PATIENT GOALS, AND DAILY WORK ACTIVITY ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS TO DEVELOP THE PATIENTS' WILL TO WORK. PATIENTS ARE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN DAILY STAFF CONFERENCES AND IN THE CLINICAL ADVISORY COUNCIL, AS WELL AS IN MONTHLY PLENARY MEETINGS. ALTHOUGH PATIENTS COMPLAIN ABOUT THE INDEFINITE LENGTH OF THEIR STAY AND THERAPY, THEIR ATTITUDES TO THERAPY ARE POSITIVE. ONE OF THE BEST FEATURES OF THE CLINIC IS STAFF WILLINGNESS TO ADMIT FAILURES AND TO SEEK NEW, MORE SUCCESSFUL APPROACHES. A FOLLOW-UP STUDY OF THE INSTITUTION'S WORK BY THE JUSTICE MINISTRY IS EXPECTED TO APPEAR SHORTLY. NOTES ARE FURNISHED. --IN GERMAN. (KMD)