NCJ Number
55802
Journal
JOURNAL OF INSTRUCTIONAL PSYCHOLOGY Volume: 3 Issue: 2 Dated: (SPRING 1976) Pages: 32-37
Date Published
1976
Length
7 pages
Annotation
A MODEL PROGRAM TO HELP PRISONERS IMPROVE DECISIONMAKING POWER, TO INCREASE THEIR ASSUMPTION OF PLANNING RESPONSIBILITY, AND TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS SKILLS IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
A PROGRESSIVE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY OF THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS EXAMINED POPULAR REHABILITATION PROGRAMS AND CONCLUDED THAT THE DESIGNS OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, WORK RELEASE, AND HOME LEAVE PROGRAMS OFTEN HINDER RATHER THAN HELP A PRISONER. THE INMATE IS USUALLY PRESENTED WITH A PLAN WHICH HAS BEEN DEVELOPED BY THE CORRECTIONS OFFICIALS. LITTLE EFFORT IS DEVOTED TO INVOLVING THE INMATE IN PLANNING FOR HIS FUTURE AND IN ENCOURAGING HIM TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR HIS REHABILITATION. THIS FACILITY DEVELOPED A PROGRAM WHICH ASSIGNS ONE CORRECTIONAL OFFICIAL TO A GROUP OF SEVEN INMATES. THE OFFICIAL ACTS AS A COUNSELOR TO HELP EACH INMATE PLAN A REHABILITATION PROGRAM. POSSIBILITIES INCLUDE ONSITE AND OFFSITE ALCOHOLISM TREATMENT PROGRAMS, ADULT BASIC EDUCATION, WORK RELEASE, JOB PLACEMENT, HOME LEAVE, COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER WORK, EDUCATION FOR LIVING, VARIOUS COUNSELING PROGRAMS, RELIGIOUS AND RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS, AND VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SERVICES. THE INMATE'S PLAN IS REVIEWED BY AN APPROVAL COMMITTEE. IF APPROVED, IT IS PUT INTO EFFECT. IF IT IS NOT APPROVED, THE INMATE WORKS OUT ANOTHER PLAN, HOPEFULLY WITHOUT TOO MUCH COUNSELOR INTERVENTION. APPROVAL OF CERTAIN ASPECTS OF THE PLAN IS ALSO POSSIBLE. THE MODEL IS DESCRIBED IN DETAIL. AN APPENDIX GIVES A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIOUS PROGRAM ALTERNATIVES. (GLR)