NCJ Number
191536
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 63 Issue: 6 Dated: October 2001 Pages: 94-96
Editor(s)
Susan L. Clayton
Date Published
2001
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article reviews the Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) program in Pennsylvania.
Abstract
Correctional employees constantly are exposed to an environment that is stressful, providing care, custody, and control for a population that is often uncooperative. Prisons are a growth industry in the United States. Approximately 2 million people are incarcerated in the United States, representing 25 percent of the world’s incarcerated population. Prison population growth pushes the limits of existing facilities and demands expansion to house inmates. This article reviewed the Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) program in Pennsylvania. Critical incident stress management provides an effective crisis intervention system. It includes support services that encourage the emotional recovery and stability of employees involved in traumatic stress incidents in the course of their employment. Examples include being held hostage, exposure to a riotous situation, and the death or injury of an employee in the line of duty. Critical incident defusings and debriefings are crisis interventions and educational processes and are not considered psychotherapy. The objective is to reduce the impact of the stressful events and accelerate the normal recovery process. Participants are advised of the limits of confidentiality at the start of the defusings and debriefings. Troublesome issues regarding confidentiality of CISM activity generally arise from two sources. A person who receives CISM services and believes that his or her right to confidentiality was breached could sue team members for damages. Additionally, a CISM team member who is ordered to testify may assert confidentiality and refuse to testify. However, a court may decide that confidentiality is not covered by some established recognized privileged relationship. Back to basics would seem to be the best course in balancing the requirement to inform CISM participants regarding the limits of confidentiality, possible forced disclosure, and being fundamentally fair in the reassurance offered confidentiality.