NCJ Number
64850
Date Published
Unknown
Length
28 pages
Annotation
THE MANUAL DESCRIBES THE UNIT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM OF A TENNESSEE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION WHICH PLACES PRISONERS IN SPECIALIZED GROUPS AND INCLUDES INMATES IN THE REHABILITATION STAFF.
Abstract
RATHER THAN SIMPLY WAREHOUSE OFFENDERS, THIS SYSTEM ATTEMPTS TO SOCIALIZE AND REEDUCATE INMATES TO THE VALUES AND BEHAVIOR PATTERNS WHICH ARE NECESSARY TO APPROPRIATE FUNCTIONING IN SOCIETY. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES BASIC LITERACY TRAINING AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION IN SKILLED AND SEMISKILLED OCCUPATIONS WHILE TRYING TO INSTILL GOOD WORK HABITS, A FEELING OF ACCOMPLISHMENT, AND POSITIVE RESPONSES TO REWARDS. THE UNIT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM USES GROUP THERAPY METHODS COMBINED WITH BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION TECHNIQUES. A UNIT'S MEMBERS ARE CONSTANTLY MONITORED BY INMATES AND COUNSELORS; RESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOR IS REWARDED BY PRIVLEGES WHILE INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR RESULTS IN LOSS OF PRIVILEGES OR REMOVAL FROM THE UNIT. INMATES CAN PROGRESS THROUGH STAGES OF INCREASING RESPONSIBILITY AND REWARDS, SUCH AS EDUCATIONAL AND WORK RELEASE PROGRAMS. INDIVIDUAL THERAPY IS PROVIDED, BUT FREQUENT GROUP SESSIONS PLAY A MAJOR ROLE IN TREATMENT. PARTITIONING THE INSTITUTIONAL POPULATION INTO SMALL GROUPS FACILITATES SECURITY AS WELL AS TREATMENT. THE PROFESSIONAL UNIT TEAM CONSISTS OF A MANAGER, ASSISTANT MANAGER, SALARIED RESIDENT COORDINATORS, AND AN AUXILIARY STAFF INCLUDING COUNSELORS, EDUCATORS, PSYCHOLOGISTS, AND CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS. WITHIN THE INDIVIDUAL UNITS, BEHAVIOR IS EVALUATED AND REWARDED BY A POINT SYSTEM. AN INMATE WHO FUNCTIONS AT A LESS THAN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL ACCORDING TO ACCUMULATED POINTS IS SENT TO A REORIENTATION UNIT FOR REEVALUATION. PERSONS WHO DO NOT ADJUST TO THE SYSTEM ARE TRANSFERRED TO ANOTHER INSTITUTION. AN AFTERCARE STAFF WORKS WITH THE PAROLE/PROBATION AUTHORITIES TO ASSIST EX-OFFENDERS IN REINTEGRATING INTO SOCIETY AND TO PERVENT A RETURN TO CRIMINAL LIFESTYLES. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS PROVIDED. (MJM)