NCJ Number
48558
Journal
OFFENDER REHABILITATION Volume: 2 Issue: 3 Dated: (SPRING 1978) Pages: 237-243
Date Published
1978
Length
7 pages
Annotation
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A THERAPEUTIC MILIEU AND THE EFFICACY OF A LOCUS OF CONTROL ORIENTATION IN CORRECTIONAL COUNSELING DESIGNED TO FACILITATE POSITIVE ATTITUDINAL AND BEHAVIORAL CHANGE ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
TRADITIONALLY, THE ROLE OF CORRECTIONS HAS BEEN VIEWED IN TERMS OF THE CONFLICTING GOALS OF REVENGE AND RESTRAINT AND REFORMATION AND REINTEGRATION. OFTEN THE GOALS OF CUSTODIAL PERSONNEL CONFLICT WITH THE THERAPEUTIC OBJECTIVES OF CORRECTIONAL TREATMENT PROFESSIONALS. THE DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSED ATTITUDES OF CUSTODIAL AND TREATMENT STAFFS MAY SERVE TO UNDERMINE AND INHIBIT THE REHABILITATION OF THE INMATES. IF REHABILITATION IS TO BE A REALITY, IT IS ESSENTIAL TO ESTABLISH A THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITY IN WHICH THE INMATE IS ABLE TO ACHIEVE SELF-RESPECT AND MAINTAIN PERSONAL DIGNITY AND INTEGRITY. WHILE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SUCH A COMMUNITY MAY BE MORE DIFFICULT IN MAXIMUM SECURITY FACILITIES THAN IN THE LESS REGIMENTED AND CONTROLING MEDIUM AND MINIMUM SECURITY INSTITUTIONS, IT IS STILL POSSIBLE FOR INMATES AND STAFF TO ENGAGE IN COLLECTIVE DECISIONMAKING BASED ON DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES, EVEN WITHIN THE PHYSICAL CONFINES OF THE CELL BLOCK. COMPREHENSIVE COUNSELING SERVICES ARE A NECESSARY ADJUNCT OF THE THERAPEUTIC MILIEU. TECHNIQUES AVAILABLE TO THE CORRECTIONAL COUNSELOR INCLUDE REALITY THERAPY, FAMILY COUNSELING, RELATIONSHIP COUNSELING, BEHAVIOR THERAPY, TRANSACTIONAL ANALYSIS, GROUP THERAPY, AND LOCUS OF CONTROL ORIENTED COUNSELING. AS LOW SOCIAL AND PERSONAL EXPECTANCIES ACT AS BARRIERS TO REHABILITATION, CHANGING INMATE ATTITUDES TOWARD SOCIETY AND THE SELF ARE OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE. IN VIEW OF THIS, COUNSELING BASED ON AN ASSESSMENT OF THE INMATE'S INTERNAL/EXTERNAL LOCUS OF CONTROL (CONTROL OF SELF/CONTROL BY OTHERS) CAN SIGNIFICANTLY AID IN MOTIVATING OFFENDERS TOWARD SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY ADJUSTMENT. FOR INSTANCE, THE INMATE WITH AN INTERNAL LOCUS OF CONTROL IS MORE LIKELY TO PARTICIPATE IN REHABILITATIVE OR TRAINING PROGRAMS THAN IS THE EXTERNAL LOCUS OF CONTROL INMATE WHO WOULD TEND TO VIEW HIS EFFORTS AS LARGELY IRRELEVANT TO HIS SITUATION. BY REDUCING THE EXTERNALS LOW EXPECTANCY OF CONTROL, GREATER SELF-DIRECTION AND GOAL-ORIENTED BEHAVIOR MAY BE ACHIEVED. INMATES WITH AN EXTREMELY HIGH INTERNAL LOCUS OF CONTROL, SUCH AS THE SOCIOPATH, FEEL COMPELLED TO DOMINATE THEIR ENVIRONMENT AND MUST BE HELPED TO ACCEPT LIMITATIONS ON CONTROL. COUNSELING AIMED AT MODERATING EXTREMELY HIGH INTERNAL OR EXTERNAL LOCUS OF CONTROL MAY RESULT IN IMPROVED INMATE SELF-CONCEPT, MOTIVATION TOWARD REHABILITATION, AND COMMUNITY ADJUSTMENT. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (JAP)