NCJ Number
49734
Journal
Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare Volume: 3 Issue: 6 Dated: (JULY 1976) Pages: 731-741
Date Published
1976
Length
11 pages
Annotation
THE METHODS OF PSYCHODRAMATIC TREATMENT ARE DISCUSSED AS MEANS OF HELPING OFFENDERS DEAL WITH UNFAMILIAR EXPERIENCES THAT MUST BE A PART OF SUCCESSFUL REENTRY AFTER INCARCERATION.
Abstract
INCARCERATED OFFENDERS HAVE OFTEN NEVER LEARNED TO ACT AND RELATE IN OCCUPATIONAL AND SOCIAL ROLES CHARACTERISTIC OF NORMATIVE SOCIETY. ROLES DEVELOPED WITHIN CRIMINAL SUBCULTURES BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE PRISON HAVE FREQUENTLY DETERMINED THE SURVIVAL AND RELATIONAL BEHAVIOR OF OFFENDERS. PSYCHODRAMA IS PRESENTED AS A USEFUL TOOL FOR HELPING OFFENDERS, PARTICULARLY THOSE INCARCERATED, TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH NEW BEHAVIORAL ROLES THAT WILL BE REQUIRED FOR ADJUSTMENT TO NORMATIVE SOCIETY. IN PSYCHODRAMA, PARTICIPANTS ARE GIVEN DEFINED CIRCUMSTANCES WITHIN WHICH THEY ARE TO ACT OUT A ROLE TO ACHIEVE A CERTAIN END. PERFORMANCES ARE THEN CRITIQUED IN A GROUP CONTEXT TO HELP THE PARTICIPANT ALTER HIS PERSPECTIVES AND BEHAVIOR IN PREPARATION FOR CONFRONTING THE IMAGINED SITUATION IN REAL LIFE. SOME OF THE LITERATURE ON THE USE OF PSYCHODRAMA IS REVIEWED, AND SITUATIONS APPROPRIATE FOR PSYCHODRAMA ARE INDICATED AS FOLLOWS: JOB INTERVIEW A VISIT WITH FAMILY DURING AND AFTER A PRISON TERM; MEETING FORMER STREET FRIENDS; AND SITUATIONS REQUIRING IMPULSE CONTROL. TECHNIQUES USED IN PSYCHODRAMA ARE ALSO DESCRIBED. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED.