SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT THERAPY - A TREATMENT APPROACH FOR CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS

• NCJ Number: 14824
• Journal: CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CRIMINOLOGY AND CORRECTIONS Volume: 16 Issue: 3 Dated: (JULY 1974) Pages: 256-271
• Author(s): H L HALEY
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 16 pages
• Corporate Author: Canadian Criminal Justice Assoc
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: Canada

Annotation

OUTLINE OF A TREATMENT APPROACH TO DELINQUENCY WHICH FOCUSES ON THE CREATION OF A CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT IN ORDER TO MODIFY THE INMATES' SOCIAL BEHAVIOR.

Abstract

THIS APPROACH FEATURES THE UTILIZATION OF THE LIVING UNIT CONCEPT IN CONJUNCTION WITH PRINCIPLES OF BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE. THE LIVING UNIT CONCEPT INVOLVES ASSIGNING CUSTODIAL OFFICERS TO WORK WITH A SMALL NUMBER OF INMATES WHO ARE HOUSED WITHIN THE SAME AREA OF THE INSTITUTION. THE ATMOSPHERE CREATED BY THIS SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT THERAPY ENCOURAGES STAFF AND INMATES TO ATTEMPT TO SOLVE SOCIAL PROBLEMS IN ORDER TO TEACH THE INMATES SOCIAL SKILLS AND VALUES. THESE CONCEPTS ARE APPLIED WITHIN THE LIVING UNITS OF THE INSTITUTION SO THAT THE NATURAL TENDENCIES TO FORM SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS CAN BE UTILIZED. THE AUTHOR ARGUES THAT THROUGH BOTH FORMAL AND INFORMAL MEETINGS, STAFF AND INMATE BARRIERS ARE BROKEN DOWN AND TREATMENT PLANS ARE DEVELOPED AND IMPLEMENTED. IN THIS WAY, HE SUGGESTS, THE ENTIRE INSTITUTIONAL ENVIRONMENT CAN BECOME A FORUM FOR BEHAVIORAL CHANGE. A LIST OF REFERENCES IS PROVIDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED) --SUMMARY IN FRENCH