SOCIAL SERVICES IN A CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION (FROM CORRECTIONAL CLASSIFICATION AND TREATMENT - A READER, 1975, BY LEONARD J HIPPCHEN - SEE NCJ-32007)

• NCJ Number: 49127
• Author(s): S POWERS
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 8 pages
• Corporate Author: Anderson Publishing Co
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN A CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION IS DISCUSSED, AND THE STEP-BY-STEP INVOLVEMENT OF THIS DEPARTMENT IN THE PROCESSING OF EACH INMATE IS DESCRIBED.

Abstract

THE SOCIAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT (SOMETIMES CALLED THE CLASSIFICATION, OR GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT) IN A CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PLANNING A PROGRAM OF INDIVIDUALIZED TREATMENT FOR THE OFFENDER CONSISTING OF TWO GENERAL FUNCTIONS: TO HELP THE INMATE ADJUST TO THE INSTITUTION IN ORDER TO UTILIZE THE TRAINING AND TREATMENT FACILITIES OF THE INSTITUTION TO THE FULLEST EXTENT, AND TO ASSIST THE INMATE IN MAKING A SATISFACTORY ADJUSTMENT IN SOCIETY ONCE RELEASE IS ACCOMPLISHED BY WAY OF PAROLE OR DISCHARGE. IT IS NOTED THAT WHILE THE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR SECURITY IN THE INSTITUTION RESTS WITH THE CUSTODIAL STAFF, IT MUST NEVERTHELESS BE A RESPONSIBILITY THAT IS SHARED BY SOCIAL SERVICES PERSONNEL. RECEPTION ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED BY THE SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT ARE DESCRIBED, INCLUDING ALL MATTERS RELATING TO INMATE ORIENTATION AND A DETERMINATION OF EVERYTHING THAT NEEDS TO BE KNOWN ABOUT AN INMATE BEFORE THE CLASSIFICATION COMMITTEE CAN RECOMMEND AN INDIVIDUALIZED TREATMENT PROGRAM. IN PRESENTING EACH CASE TO THE CLASSIFICATION COMMITTEE, THE USUAL PRACTICE IS FOR THE SOCIAL SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE TO SUMMARIZE THE CASE, NOTING THE INMATE'S PROBLEMS, ABILITIES, TREATMENT NEEDS, AND THE PRINCIPAL FINDINGS OF THOSE WHO HAVE STUDIED OR INTERVIEWED HER OR HIM. ONCE THE CLASSIFICATION COMMITTEE COMPLETES ITS INITIAL STUDY, THE INMATE IS ASSIGNED TO THE PROGRAM OUTLINED BY THE COMMITTEE. THE SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT ADMINISTERS TREATMENT PROGRAMS AND MONITORS THE PROGRESS OF EACH INDIVIDUAL, WHILE BEING AVAILABLE AT ANY TIME TO ASSIST INMATES WITH PROBLEMS. THE SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR TRAINING CUSTODIAL STAFF TO APPROACH THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES IN SUCH A WAY THAT SECURITY PROCEDURES COMPLEMENT, OR AT THE VERY LEAST, DO NOT HINDER TREATMENT GOALS. (RCB)