NCJ Number
56725
Date Published
1977
Length
16 pages
Annotation
A CRISIS INTERVENTION MODEL DESIGNED TO HELP EX-OFFENDERS AT CRITICAL POSTRELEASE PERIODS IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
FACTORS IN THE PRISON ENVIRONMENT WHICH SUBVERT THE DEVELOPMENT OF BEHAVIOR REQUIRED TO FUNCTION EFFECTIVELY IN SOCIETY ARE IDENTIFIED, AND THE IMPORTANCE OF PRE-RELEASE AND POST-RELEASE PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO HELP EX-OFFENDERS ADJUST UPON RELEASE IS EMPHASIZED. A MULTI-MODEL APPROACH IS RECOMMENDED FOR HELPING EX-OFFENDERS AVOID RECIDIVISM, STRESSING THE PROVISION OF A JOB AND AN ADEQUATE AMOUNT OF MONEY UPON RELEASE, AND SUPPORT SYSTEMS AT TIMES OF CRISIS, PRECEDED BY PRERELEASE AND POSTRELEASE TRAINING ON PRACTICAL MATTERS SUCH AS INTERACTING WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND LIVING ON A BUDGET. THE MAJOR PORTION OF THE DISCUSSION DEALS WITH THE PROVISION OF A MODEL CRISIS INTERVENTION SUPPORT SYSTEM. CRISIS, THE MODEL'S TARGET CIRCUMSTANCE, IS VIEWED AS A STATE OF INTENSE EMOTIONAL UPSET AND IMPAIRED FUNCTIONING WHICH IS THE PERSON'S RESPONSE TO AN EXTREMELY STRESSFUL RISK OR THREAT SITUTATION AND/OR THE FAILURE OF HIS USUAL AND EMERGENCY PROBLEM-SOLVING BEHAVIOR PATTERNS. THE USE OF A CRISIS INTERVENTION MODEL INVOLVES THREE MODALITIES--SHORT TERM EMERGENCY COUNSELING CLINICS, 24-HOUR TELEPHONE COUNSELING, AND EMERGENCY HOME SERVICES. THE SHORT TERM EMERGENCY COUNSELING AIMS AT RESTORING A PERSON TO PRECRISIS LEVELS OF FUNCTIONING THROUGH THE USE OF NONPROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS WHO HELP THE CLIENT SELECT AND APPLY PRACTICAL APPROACHES TO DEALING WITH THE CRIPPLING PROBLEMS. THE 24-HOUR TELEPHONE COUNSELING SERVICE IS MANNED BY TRAINED VOLUNTEER WORKERS. THE EMERGENCY HOME SERVICES PHASE OF INTERVENTION INVOLVES WORKERS LEAVING THE CLINIC TO VISIT PERSONS IN CRISIS. RESULTS OF THE USE OF THE CRISIS INTERVENTION MODEL IN TWO POSTRELEASE REHABILITATION PROGRAMS ARE DISCUSSED. REFERENCES AND SUPPLEMENTARY READINGS ARE PROVIDED. (RCB)