NCJ Number
7660
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 36 Issue: 3 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1972) Pages: 22-25
Date Published
1972
Length
4 pages
Annotation
TREATMENT SYSTEM, DEVELOPED IN HERSTEDVESTER DETENTION CENTRE, DENMARK FOR OFFENDERS REJECTED BY OTHER PRISONS AND MENTAL HOSPITALS.
Abstract
EACH CASE HISTORY IS ANALYZED, AND THE TREATMENT INDIVIDUALIZED. THE TREATMENT IS DIRECTED TOWARD ESTABLISHING A POSITIVE SELF CONCEPT AND MOTIVATING THE INDIVIDUAL TO BELIEVE IN THE POSSIBILITY OF A CRIME FREE LIFE. ELEMENTS OF THE TREATMENT PROCESS INCLUDE PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES, SOMATIC THERAPY-INCLUDING PHYSIOTHERAPY - AND CULTIVATION OF INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS. SOCIAL CASEWORK IS A CONTINUING ASPECT OF THE PROCESS. SINCE ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT FEATURES IS TO HELP THE MAN REALIZE THAT A CRIME FREE LIFE OUTSIDE WILL NOT BE EASY, MUCH ATTENTION IS GIVEN TO THE OUTPATIENT PHASE. ALTHOUGH A COMPLETE RESEARCH EVALUATION HAS NOT BEEN CARRIED OUT, THE AUTHOR FEELS THAT THIS PROGRAM HAS SHOWN THAT IT IS POSSIBLE TO DEVELOP A HUMANE ACCEPTABLE WAY OF LIFE INSIDE A PENAL INSTITUTION EVEN FOR THE MOST DIFFICULT GROUP OF OFFENDERS. CASES FROM THIS INSTITUTION ARE FOLLOWED LONGER THAN THE NORM. THE AUTHOR SUGGESTS THAT A RESEARCH PROGRAM SHOULD BE DEVELOPED BASED ON FURTHER ANALYSIS OF THESE RECORDS.