NCJ Number
134413
Journal
Journal of Correctional Education Volume: 42 Issue: 4 Dated: (December 1991) Pages: 172-177
Date Published
1991
Length
6 pages
Annotation
A principal advantage of the psychoeducational approach to criminal lifestyle intervention is that a trained therapist or psychologist is not needed in order to present a standardized module curriculum. However, offender resistance to didactic presentations of material on the behavioral, developmental, and cognitive aspects of criminal lifestyle is one issue which mental health professionals must confront.
Abstract
This paper describes six of the more common and recurrent forms of offender resistance and recommends combative strategies. In each section, the specific type of resistance is introduced in the form of an innocuous question, the underlying meaning of the question is analyzed, the resistance is described in terms of lifestyle theory, and a series of classroom examples is presented to illustrate that form of resistance. The six types of resistance manifested by offenders which are discussed here include manipulating the instructor, exploiting the classroom situation, diverting negative attention away from themselves, and exerting power and control over fellow inmates. 15 references (Author abstract modified)