NCJ Number
42996
Journal
OFFEDER REHABILITATION Volume: 1 Issue: 3 Dated: (SPRING 1977) Pages: 267-274
Date Published
1977
Length
8 pages
Annotation
THE PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELOR CAN BE OF INVALUABLE USE TO REHABILITATION-ORIENTED CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS NOT ONLY BY SERVING THE OFFENDERS DIRECTLY, BUT INDIRECTLY THROUGH HIS WORK WITH INSTITUTIONAL STAFF AND COMMUNITY
Abstract
REHABILITATION-ORIENTED FACILITIES HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REACH THEIR POTENTIAL IN REINTEGRATING OFFENDERS INTO THE COMMUNITY. A PROBABLE CAUSE SEEMS RELATED TO THE LACK OF SUFFICIENT TREATMENT PERSONNEL TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE INSTITUTIONAL POPULATIONS. A ROLE MODEL FOR THE PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELOR IS PRESENTED TO ASSIST IN INSTITUTING REHABILITATION PROGRAMS AND IN RESOLVING PROBLEMS THAT ARISE IN REHABILITATIVE PROGRAMS. THE COUNSELOR'S DUTIES WERE SIX-FOLD: THERAPY, DIAGNOSIS, REFERRAL, CONSULTATION, STAFF DEVELOPMENT, AND COMMUNITY COORDINATIVE SERVICES. THE INMATE RECEIVED TRADITIONAL FORMS OF GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING AND PARTICIPATED IN NONSCHEDULED INFORMAL SESSIONS WITH THE COUNSELOR. CLIENTS BENEFITED FROM DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES IN SEVERAL WAYS: DIAGNOSIS ASSISTED THE INMATE WITH EDUCATIONAL, VOCATIONAL AND PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENT DIFFICULTIES. THE INMATE COULD BE REFERRED TO OTHER PROFESSIONALS WITHIN THE INSTITUTION, OR THE COUNSELOR WOULD PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT AGENCIES AVAILABLE IN THE COMMUNITY FOR THOSE CLIENTS READY TO LEAVE THE FACILITY. THE COUNSELOR'S SERVICES ALSO EXTENDED TO FACILITY PERSONNEL: CONSULTED WITH STAFF ABOUT THEIR PARTICULAR PROBLEMS WITH INMATES AND HELPED UPGRADE PERSONNEL SKILLS. LASTLY, THE COUNSELOR COORDINATED VOLUNTEER SERVICES BETWEEN THE INSTITUTION AND THE COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS CLIENT VISITS TO THE COMMUNITY.