NCJ Number
68849
Journal
BERWAEHRUNGSHILFE Volume: 26 Issue: 4 Dated: (1979) Pages: 309-313
Date Published
1979
Length
5 pages
Annotation
THE DIFICULTIES OF WEST GERMAN PROBATION AND PAROLE OFFICERS IN FINDING EITHER PRIVATE THERAPISTS OR MENTAL HEALTH CLINICS FOR PROBATIONERS AND PAROLEES ARE ANALYZED FROM A PRACTICAL VIEWPOINT.
Abstract
THIS ARTICLE DEALS WITH A SITUATION OFTEN ENCOUNTERED BY PROBATION AND PAROLE OFFICERS UPON REALIZING THAT THEIR CLIENTS NEED PSYCHIATRIC OR PSYCHOLOGICAL THERAPY WHICH THEY CANNOT PROVIDE. THE INITIAL TASK OF CONVINCING A PROBATIONER OR PAROLEE THAT HE IS INDEED IN NEED OF THERAPY IS DIFFICULT, DUE TO THE EMOTIONAL CHARGE AND SOCIAL STIGMA INVOLVED IN ADMITTING TO FAMILY, NEIGHBORS, AND ASSOCIATES THAT, BESIDES BEING AN EX-CONVICT, ONE IS ALSO CRAZY. THE NEXT PROBLEMATIC STEP IS FINDING A THERAPIST. PROBATIONERS AND PAROLEES ARE USUALLY MEMBERS OF THE LOWER SOCIOECONOMIC STRATA, LIVING IN POOR URBAN NEIGHBORHOODS OR RURAL AREAS FAR FROM CENTER-CITY PSYCHIATRISTS AND MENTAL HEALTH CLINICS. SUCH CLIENTS OFTEN HAVE NO TRANSPORTATION AND NO AVAILABLE TIME TO GO TO THE THERAPIST. OFFICE HOURS ARE ALSO IN CONFLICT WITH THE PROSPECTIVE PATIENT'S NEEDS, BECAUSE THERAPY CLINICS AND PSYCHIATRISTS' OFFICES CLOSE IN THE EVENING, THE ONLY TIME A PROBATIONER OR PAROLEE HAS FREE AFTER WORK. SUCH PRACTICAL CONSTRAINTS SERIOUSLY IMPEDE CLIENT ACCESSIBILITY TO THE INDISPENSABLE FOLLOWUP TREATMENT NEEDED TO COMPLETE THERAPY BEGUN IN THE CORRECTIONAL SETTING. OTHER PRACTICAL PROBLEMS INVOLVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR DEFRAYING THE EXPENSES OF THERAPY, WHICH ARE OFTEN NOT COVERED BY HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAMS. THESE DIFFICULTIES INDICATE THAT PSYCHO-SOCIAL ASSISTANCE IN THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY IS IN NEED OF IMPROVEMENT. --IN GERMAN.