NCJ Number
182129
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 44 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2000 Pages: 232-241
Editor(s)
George B. Palermo M.D.
Date Published
April 2000
Length
10 pages
Annotation
The primary purpose of this research was to explore job satisfaction levels of mental health professionals providing group therapy services in State correctional institutions.
Abstract
Participants included 162 providers from 78 adult male state correctional facilities who completed a survey examining perceptions about a range of job responsibilities. The analysis investigated the relationship between demographic variables, administrative support variables, and security issues and job satisfaction levels. Mental health professionals in State correctional institutions appeared especially satisfied with aspects of their jobs that involved the direct provision of psychological services, such as facilitating group and individual psychotherapy services, providing crisis intervention services, and conducting formal assessments. They appeared relatively less satisfied with non-direct services, such as administrative responsibilities, report writing, case notes, and receiving individual supervision. Findings also revealed these professionals disagreed that they received adequate funding from correctional administrators or that rehabilitation was an overall goal of their correctional institution. Implications of the findings and suggestions for future research are highlighted. 25 references, 1 note, and 2 tables