NCJ Number
57233
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 22 Issue: 3 Dated: (1978) Pages: 244-254
Date Published
1978
Length
11 pages
Annotation
A JAIL PSYCHOTHERAPIST'S APPROACH TO HELPING INMATES CONTROL THEIR TEMPERS IS DESCRIBED, TOGETHER WITH THE PHILOSOPHY OF REHABILITATION UNDERLYING THE APPROACH.
Abstract
PEOPLE WHO LOSE THEIR TEMPERS EASILY USUALLY HAVE LITTLE SELF-RESPECT. EASY LOSS OF TEMPER, AND THE VIOLENCE OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH IT, REPRESENT AN EFFORT TO GAIN RESPECT FROM OTHERS, PARTICULARLY AMONG MEN WHO GROW UP LEARNING THAT THEIR SURVIVAL DEPENDS ON CONSTANT ASSERTION OF THEIR TOUGHNESS. A THERAPIST WHO WORKS WITH NEW YORK CITY JAIL INMATES USES GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL THERAPY TO HELP INMATES WHO FEEL THAT THEIR FAILURE TO CONTROL THEIR TEMPERS HAS GOTTEN THEM INTO TROUBLE. THESE INMATES ARE ENCOURAGED TO CONCENTRATE ON THEIR OWN OPINIONS OF THEMSELVES RATHER THAN OTHERS' OPINIONS. THEY ARE SHOWN THE ADVANTAGES TO BE GAINED BY REMAINING CALM IN THE FACE OF A REAL OR PERCEIVED ATTACK. THE FIRST ADVANTAGE IS THAT, BY DEMONSTRATING CONCERN FOR HIS ANTAGONIST AND BY USING HIS ABILITY TO THINK THROUGH A SITUATION RATHER THAN REACTING TO IT, THE INMATE GAINS RESPECT FOR HIMSELF. THE SECOND ADVANTAGE IS THAT HIS BEHAVIOR LEADS OTHERS TO RESPECT HIM. THE TEMPER THERAPY WAS PARTICULARLY HELPFUL TO AN INMATE WHOSE CAMPAIGN TO IMPROVE PRISON CONDITIONS WAS THWARTED BY HIS INABILITY TO CONTROL HIS TEMPER IN MEETINGS WITH THE WARDEN. WHEN THE INMATE LEARNED NOT TO EXPLODE IN ANGER WHEN THE WARDEN DISAGREED WITH HIM, HIS CAMPAIGN GOT BETTER RESULTS. THIS FORM OF THERAPY IS BASED ON THE IDEA THAT CORRECTIONS SHOULD BE A MATTER OF TEACHING OFFENDERS THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES TOWARD THEIR FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS. USING PRISONS FOR SUCH PURPOSES ADDRESSES THE POLARIZATION THAT SEPARATES THOSE WHO BREAK THE LAW FROM MAINSTREAM SOCIETY. (LKM)