NCJ Number
52460
Journal
Psychiatric Annals Volume: 4 Issue: 3 Dated: (MARCH 1974) Pages: 61-85
Date Published
1974
Length
13 pages
Annotation
REHABILITATION OF PRISON INMATES IS SEEN AS A CONCEPT WHICH IS NEVER TRULY IMPLEMENTED. FOUR TYPES OF CHANGE STRATEGY ARE EXAMINED IN TERMS OF THEIR ETHICAL, SOCIAL, AND POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS.
Abstract
AFTER CONCLUDING THAT CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR CAN BE CHANGED AND REPLACED BY 'DESIRABLE BEHAVIOR,' CONDITIONS NECESSARY FOR SUCH CHANGE ARE EXAMINED. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THE TRADITIONAL PRISON SETTING IS THE WORST POSSIBLE ENVIRONMENT FOR BEHAVIOR CHANGE, ENGENDERING HOSTILITY RATHER THAN THE TRUST WHICH IS ESSENTIAL FOR REHABILITATION. FOUR STRATEGIES FOR CHANGING BEHAVIOR AND THEIR USE IN PRISONS ARE REVIEWED. CHANGING THE BIOLOGICAL STATE THROUGH DRUGS OR SURGERY; CHANGING THE ENVIRONMENT TO PROVIDE NEW LEARNING EXPERIENCES; REDUCING THE AMOUNT OF STRESS IN THE ENVIRONMENT; AND PROVIDING NEW INFORMATION AND INSIGHT. IT IS POINTED OUT THAT BIOLOGICAL INTERVENTION IS SELDOM USED, BUT IT IS SUGGESTED THAT SOME INMATES MIGHT BENEFIT FROM CAREFUL DRUG THERAPY. BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION HAS ALSO FALLEN INTO DISFAVOR, MANY GROUPS CALLING IT A VIOLATION OF CIVIL RIGHTS. SINCE PRISON INCREASES STRESS, THE THIRD THERAPY IS NONEXISTENT. ONLY INFORMATION THERAPY IS USED. THIS IS GENERALLY INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING OR GROUP THERAPY. GROUP THERAPY IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE CHANGE AGENT IN PRISONS TODAY, BUT IT IS SEVERELY LIMITED. FAMILY THERAPY IS NOT FEASIBLE IN MOST SETTINGS AND CONSCIOUSNESS RAISING IS DEFINITELY FROWNED UPON. ALSO, THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL PROBLEMS FACING THE OFFENDER UPON RELEASE OFTEN UNDO THE BENEFITS OF PRISON COUNSELING. THESE VARIOUS PROBLEMS ARE DISCUSSED IN GREAT DETAIL. THE ECONOMIC AND MORAL ISSUES ARE EMPHASIZED. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS APPENDED. (GLR)