NCJ Number
14885
Journal
Science Volume: 185 Issue: 4149 Dated: (2 AUGUST 1974) Pages: 423-426
Date Published
1974
Length
4 pages
Annotation
REVIEW OF FACILITIES AND PROPOSED PROGRAMS OF THE RESEARCH UNIT, ALONG WITH SOME CRITICISMS OF THE USE OF BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION TECHNIQUES ON INMATES.
Abstract
THE ORIGINAL IDEA FOR BUTNER SPRANG FROM A LONG-STANDING NEED FOR MORE FEDERAL IN-PATIENT PSYCHIATRIC FACILITIES TO SUPPLEMENT THE ONLY UNIT NOW IN EXISTENCE. SUBSEQUENTLY, AS VARIOUS REHABILITATION PROGRAMS MADE THEIR WAY INTO FEDERAL PRISONS, IT WAS DECIDED THAT THE BUTNER FACILITY SHOULD HAVE ANOTHER COMPONENT, A UNIT TO EVALUATE THESE PROGRAMS ON REGULAR FEDERAL PRISONERS. BUTNER WILL THEREFORE COMPRISE TWO INSTITUTIONS IN ONE COMPLEX. THE INPATIENT FACILITY, DIVIDED INTO THREE SECTIONS, WILL HOUSE A TOTAL OF 140 SHORT-TERM PSYCHIATRIC PATIENTS. THE RESEARCH PART, WHICH HAS BEEN THE FOCUS OF ALL THE CONTROVERSY, IS DESIGNED TO HOUSE 200 PRISONERS DRAWN FROM VARIOUS FEDERAL PRISONS IN THE EASTERN UNITED STATES. THEY WILL BE RANDOMLY ASSIGNED TO FOUR SEPARATE COMMUNITIES CALLED 'CORRECTIONAL PROGRAM RESEARCH UNITS', EACH OF WHICH IS DEVOTED TO CONDUCTING A PROGRAM WHICH COMBINES IN VARIOUS WAYS GROUP THERAPY, INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING, EDUCATIONAL INSTRUCTION, VOCATIONAL SKILLS TRAINING, AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION. EACH PROGRAM WILL OFFER A WAY - IN THE TERMS OF TRANSACTIONAL ANALYSIS, OF WHICH THE WARDEN-TO-BE IS A STUDENT - TO TURN AN INDIVIDUAL FROM A 'LOSER' INTO A 'WINNER'. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)