NCJ Number
68783
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 23 Issue: 3 Dated: (1979) Pages: 197-209
Date Published
1979
Length
13 pages
Annotation
WITH THE LARGE DIVERSITY IN TYPES OF VIOLENT OFFENDERS, NO ONE METHOD OF TREATMENT SHOULD BE UNIVERSALLY APPLIED.
Abstract
HOMICIDE, RAPE, ROBBERY, AND ASSAULT ARE RATED AS VIOLENT CRIMES BECAUSE THE THREAT OF BODILY INJURY IS INVOLVED. CHILDREN ARE ALL TOO OFTEN INNOCENT VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE AT THE HANDS OF THEIR PARENTS WHO ARE DRIVEN BY DRINKING, FRUSTRATION, OR A SENSE OF INADEQUACY TO ABUSE THEIR CHILDREN. CHILDREN SOMETIMES COMMIT VIOLENT ACTS AGAINST OTHER CHILDREN, (THE SCHOOL BULLY WHOSE UNSUSPECTING VICTIM BECOMES CONFUSED AT THE UNANTICIPATED VIOLENCE). ADOLESCENTS MAY EXPERIENCE VIOLENCE IN NEIGHBORHOOD GANGS AND AT UNSUPERVISED PARTIES WHERE ALCOHOL LOWERS TOLERANCE LEVELS AND CONFUSES JUDGMENT. HIGH SCHOOLS HAVE BECOME A SCENE FOR VIOLENCE, WITH STUDENTS ATTACKING TEACHERS AND OTHER STUDENTS AND HALL PATROLS TRYING TO STABILIZE THE SITUATION. THE VIOLENCE THAT WAS EXPERIENCED IN THE HOME WHILE YOUNG CARRIES OVER TO ADULT LIFE AND SPOUSE-BEATING. VIOLENCE OCCURS EVEN IN THE STREET THROUGH MUGGINGS BY HIGHLY VOLATILE THIEFS WHO MUST BE TREATED VERY CAREFULLY. VIOLENCE ALSO DEVELOPS AMONG PATIENTS IN MENTAL INSTITUTIONS, IN SUCH CASES, THERAPY SESSIONS HAVE HELPED TO RELIEVE UNRECOGNIZED AND DEEP-SEATED HATRED. GROUP THERAPY HAS SHOWN TO BE EFFECTIVE IN HELPING VIOLENT OFFENDERS WHO HAVE A CONSCIOUS RECOGNITION OF THEIR ANGER. FOR VIOLENT MALE FELONS, RESOCIALIZATION MUST BE ATTEMPTED THROUGH ASSOCIATION WITH A DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP TO LEARN NEW VALUES. FINALLY, THE NOTION OF TREATMENT ITSELF BE SOLVED. TREATMENT OR REHABILITATION SHOULD NOT BE CONFINED TO THE RIGID STEREOTYPE OF ANALYSIS. FOR INSTANCE, BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION HAS BEEN PRACTICED FOR YEARS IN PRISONS. WISDOM, JUDGMENT, AND THE RIGHT SELECTION FROM A VARIETY OF TREATMENT MODALITIES ARE CRUCIAL.