PROBLEMS IN OPERATING A DRUG REHABILITATION CENTER IN AN ADULT CORRECTIONAL SETTING AND SOME PREVENTIVE GUIDELINES OR STRATEGIES

• NCJ Number: 59045
• Journal: JOURNAL OF EMPLOYMENT AND COUNSELING Volume: 16 Issue: 7 Dated: (MARCH 1979) Pages: 53-62
• Author(s): S M SMITH; P BEAMISH; R C PAGE
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 10 pages
• Corporate Author: American Personnel and Guidance Assoc
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS ARTICLE REVIEWS THE UNIQUE ASPECTS OF OPERATING A THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITY (TC) WITHIN A PRISON SETTING AND DISCUSSES POSSIBLE PREVENTATIVE STRATEGIES TO AMELIORATE POTENTIAL DIFFICULTIES.

Abstract

SOME OF THE PROBLEMS INCLUDE DIFFERENCES IN PHILOSOPHY, NONTHERAPEUTIC ASPECTS OF THE PRISON ENVIRONMENT, DEPENDENCY ON THE PRISON ENVIRONMENT, AND STAFF PROBLEMS. SPECIFIC AND GENERAL SUGGESTIONS ARE MADE FOR ELIMINATING OR COPING WITH THESE PROBLEMS. GENERAL SUGGESTIONS INCLUDE THE AWARENESS OF POTENTIAL PROBLEMS AND ESTABLISHING A PROGRAM TO CIRCUMVENT THEM, EDUCATING CORRECTIONAL STAFF, AVOIDING DEFENSIVENESS, ESTABLISHING CREDIBILITY, UNDERSTANDING THE ORGANIZATION AND HOW TO OPERATE WITHIN IT, SECURING ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT, UTILIZING RESOURCEFULNESS AND CREATIVITY AND MAINTAINING INTEGRITY WHILE BEING WILLING TO COMPROMISE. SPECIFIC SUGGESTIONS INCLUDE PROGRAM LICENSURE TO DEVELOP CREDIBILITY AMONG NONCORRECTIONAL DRUG PROGRAMS, PAROLE CONTRACTS TO ENSURE EFFECTIVE TREATMENT PLANS AND OBJECTIVES, AN INTERNAL REWARD SYSTEM FOR STAFF, A SEPARATE SET OF INSTITUTIONAL RULES FOR CLIENTS, AND CLEAR AUTHORITY OF A PROGRAM DIRECTOR. REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (MJW)