NCJ Number
158766
Date Published
1993
Length
7 pages
Annotation
The provision of problem-focused groups is one of the means by which the managers of HMP Lindholme Prison in England provide a needs-oriented, multilinear system of inmate services.
Abstract
A needs-profile questionnaire was used to ask inmates what their needs were and revealed three types of needs: day-to-day needs created by imprisonment, release and resettlement needs, and lifestyle and behavior concerns. Inmates can choose to become involved in all, some, or none of the groups developed to address these needs. The principle of voluntarism also means that inmates can leave groups that are not what they expected. Each group has two trained group leaders; all staff have worked with each type of group. Two contrasting groups exemplify the diversity of groups available. The Parole Information Group is a straightforward information-provision group. In contrast, the Families and Imprisonment Group focuses on the effects of imprisonment on family dynamics. Establishing the groupwork service in the prison required a commitment of managers and staff groups to overcome the inevitable logistical problems as well as the intangible culture of the Prison Service, which does not expect too much in the way of inmate groups. However, some 1,500 inmates voluntarily took part in groups in both 1989 and 1990.