NCJ Number
54828
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 19 Issue: 3 Dated: (1975) Pages: 237-240
Date Published
1975
Length
4 pages
Annotation
A PROGRAM FOR HELPING INCARCERATED FEMALE JUVENILES TO DEVELOP PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL CONTROL SO AS TO REDUCE IMPULSIVE AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR IS DESCRIBED AS PRACTICED IN A BORSTAL SERVING SCOTLAND AND NORTHERN IRELAND.
Abstract
THE PROGRAM DESCRIBED IS CONDUCTED IN H.M. INSTITUTION, GATESIDE, GREENOCK, THE ONLY WOMEN'S BORSTAL SERVING SCOTLAND AND NORTHERN IRELAND. GIRLS AGED 16-21 (15-21 FOR IRISH GIRLS) ARE HOUSED THERE ON CHARGES RANGING FROM SHOPLIFTING TO ASSAULT. THE MORE DIFFICULT AND DISTURBED GIRLS HAVE BEEN OBSERVED TO LACK SELF-CONTROL TO THE EXTENT THAT THEY REACT EXPLOSIVELY TO ENVIRONMENTAL STIMULI CONSIDERED ONLY MINOR IRRITATIONS BY MOST PEOPLE. A PROGRAM DESIGNED TO GIVE SUCH GIRLS GREATER CONTROL OVER THEIR PHYSICAL, VERBAL, AND EMOTIONAL REACTIONS TO A VARIETY OF STRESSFUL SITUATIONS HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED. BASIC RELAXATION TRAINING SIMILAR TO THAT USED BY ANTENATAL CLINICS IS EMPLOYED. BY ALTERNATING TENSION AND RELAXATION OF SUCCESSIVE MUSCLES OF THE BODY, THE GIRLS LEARN TO DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN TENSE AND RELAXED FEELINGS. THIS IS ACCOMPANIED BY INFORMATION ON ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONING. DETAILS OF THE EXERCISE PROGRAM ARE DESCRIBED. ONCE THE GIRLS HAVE MASTERED CONTROL OVER THE RELAXATION OF THEIR MUSCLES AND PHYSIOLOGICAL PROCESSES, TRAINING IN SOCIAL SKILLS AND NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION BEGINS. THIS INVOLVES A MORE SOPHISTICATED METHOD OF PHYSICAL CONTROL THROUGH MAINTAINING TENSION AND RELAXATION IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE BODY AT THE SAME TIME SO AS TO PRODUCE THE COORDINATED ACTION AND BEHAVIOR MOST APPROPRIATE TO A SITUATION. THIS IS DONE THROUGH GROUP DISCUSSIONS AND THE ROLE PLAYING OF SITUATIONS THAT CUSTOMARILY STIMULATE AGGRESSION IN PERSONS WITH POOR CONTROL. LOW SELF-IMAGE, A FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO AGGRESSIVE DEFENSIVE REACTIONS, IS PROGRESSIVELY RAISED THROUGH DISCUSSIONS DESIGNED TO INCREASE ACCEPTANCE OF SELF. POSITIVE EFFECTS FROM THE PROGRAM HAVE BEEN NOTED BY BORSTAL STAFF AND THE GIRLS THEMSELVES. (RCB)