Saturation Marathon Couples' Therapy in Prison - A Rationale

• NCJ Number: 72298
• Journal: International Journal of Group Psychotherapy Volume: 27 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1977) Pages: 97-103
• Author(s): G Q Jorgensen; D C Hammond; A Hardy
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 7 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Dissatisfaction with conventional group therapy where inmates become only superficially involved led to the development of the saturation marathon group therapy technique which included couples' participation in a series of three to five all-night sessions.

Abstract

Marathon approaches aim to provide a more intense experience and counterculture in the group in order to break up the con code (participants mask themselves from therapists and support each other in doing so) and frustrate traditional coping codes. The addition of women partners to the therapy increases affective intensity, reduces manipulation and game-playing, hastens group honesty, and inspires inmates to deal with the important and often problem-filled relationship with their mates, which must be confronted after release. Inmate participants are volunteers, and treatment groups are conducted by two or more fairly confrontive therapists not affiliated with the prison staff, thereby promising confidentiality and allowing inmates to open up more. An emphasis is placed on group members accepting responsibility for their behavior and its consequences. The atmosphere of the sessions is informal, personal comforts are taken care of on a self-regulatory bases, and no sleeping is permitted. Also forbidden are responses of 'I don't know' (considered a cop-out), indirect statements about other group members (considered gossip), private discussion between couples, participants, or group leaders, and alcohol or drug use. The saturation marathon format facilititates resolution of inmate paranoia and distrust early in treatment. Trust and confidentiality are achieved rapidly, while in conventional-length, all-inmate groups such issues are often never resolved. The series of intensive therapeutic sessions encourages personal change and dealing with the real problem-filled relationships in their lives. Included are 17 references.