NCJ Number
77408
Journal
CORRECTIVE PSYCHIATRY AND JOURNAL OF SOCIAL THERAPY Issue: 11 Dated: (1965) Pages: 269-274
Date Published
1965
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This paper describes the use of inmate parole violators to assist psychologists in preparole group counseling.
Abstract
The inmate parole violators selected were those the psychologists felt would be able to communicate easily in group discussions, who expressed desirable atitudes, and appeared to have developed some insight into the dynamics of their own parole failure. The only training provided was a general explanation of what the inmate assistants would be expected to do. In the counseling sessions with groups composed of psychologists, inmate parole violators, and newly selected parolees, the usual procedure was to ask the violators to describe their parole problems, including the factors they perceived as contributing to their failures and what they now realize should have been done to avoid the troubles encountered. The new parolees were also invited to ask questions of the violators. It is desirable to keep the group small, with probably no more than 10 to 12 members, including the psychologist and 3 or 4 violators. The sessions should be 1 to 1 and a half hours long. In most cases, two sessions will suffice; however, the sessions should be continued until useful discussion appears to be exhausted. It has been impossible to make a controlled evaluation of this use of group techniques due to the relatively small numbers of parolees and parole violators involved in the program. From observation and the comments of parole violators and the new parolees, however, the program appears to be beneficial. Two references are provided.