Psychological Study of Prisons and Prisoners

Introduction

A psychologist is tasked with studying human subjects either at their homes, clinical setups, correctional facilities among others. Correctional psychologists interact with prisoners trying to explain how such people end up in prisons. By studying behavior patterns, psychologists can predict future behaviors on inmates. In many cases, roles and duties vary depending on the type of prison and the prisoner needs. Prisons vary in sizes, but functions and inmate classifications define them. This paper focuses on the roles of correctional psychologists and some of the techniques they use to manage inmates.

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Duties of Correctional Psychologists

Inmate response to correctional facilities vary from one inmate to another depending on the crimes committed, facility orientation, mistreatment from other inmates, correctional officers among others. The responses may breed violence, sleep difficulties, nightmares, suicide cases or intentions, psychological stress disorders (PSTD) and hopelessness among others (Derosia, 1998; American Psychiatric Association, [APA], 2000). Psychologists become important in helping such inmates. Psychologists are tasked with recognizing such symptoms and address them accordingly before they get out of hand. They should encourage their clients to speak out their feelings relating to incarceration. Attempts by the psychologist should aim at managing inmate behaviors. The National Institute of Corrections (NIC) has offered guidelines for effective inmate behavior management. The guidelines are used to assess risks and needs, assign inmates to a house, meet basic needs for inmates, define and convey expectations for inmate behaviors, supervise inmates, and finally keep inmates occupied productively. The Coalition for Correctional Health Authorities (CCHA) assign psychologists to different Correctional facilities, and the members are responsible for reporting health-related issues to the correctional administers to improve the health and well-being of the penitentiary population.

Correctional Psychologists work closely with the CCHA and correctional doctors' members to ensure health issues are addressed. In trying to achieve their objectives, the psychologists are given the responsibility of assessing the welfare of the inmates as well as offering diagnostic services. After assessment and diagnosis, the psychologist applies the best treatment technique to an inmate thereby controlling the behavior of the inmates.

Assessment and Diagnostic Services

As various correctional agencies focus on evidence-based practices to achieve a safe and secure environment for the inmates both clinical and psychological assessments are crucial tools in realizing such dreams. The Psychologists consider the behavioral characteristics and adaptive skills to make substantial judgment. Re-entry services measure the risk of inmate recidivism and release planning benefit because research has shown that about 50 percent of inmates are rearrested within three years of release (Desmarais, & Singh, 2013).

Assessments are essential tools as they offer information necessary for realizing and comprehending not just the present but also the past behavior of the inmates while attempting to predict the future. The assessment also helps the psychologists when offering recommendations for probations and re-entry. Usually, before an inmate is released on parole, the judge seeks a psychologist report on the offender. A positive recommendation increases the chance to be granted probation or release.

Screening measures are essential, especially during the intake process. It provides vital information concerning the mental health status of the inmate thereby influencing the decision on the type of staffing or correctional programme needed by the inmate. This is necessary because most facilities that provide mental or substance abuse-related disorders rely on the sensitivity of the inmate's need, and thereby it influences housing decisions. Besides, assessments and tests can make it easy to identify inmate's areas of interests which can be exploited to in behavior management programme (Lauren, 1997).

Some of the assessment tools and measures include personality assessments, intelligence tests and educational test, substance abuse and risk assessment. Personality assessment helps in designing effective psychological intervention. Intelligence tests consist of an IQ test which helps the psychologist to weigh the capacity of an inmate to learn. Educational test inmate mastery capabilities which help in designing a learning programme. Substance abuse assessments involve drug screening on the inmates and aids in selecting a treatment plan. The risk assessment is usually carried out during the induction process. If the results show that an inmate poses higher risks than what the current facility can handle, the offender is referred to another facility such to the medium security prison or the maximum security facility.

Therapeutic Techniques Used in the Correctional Facilities

Once the correctional Psychologists has finished the assessment and diagnosis of the inmates, they are tasked with recommending or carrying out management plans on the inmates. There is a need for referral, behavior management and possible treatment of the inmates. Some of the effective behavior management plans used by correctional psychologists are therapeutic techniques. Some these techniques include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), combination of CBT and Behavioral Therapy (CBT&BT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT), Reasoning and Rehabilitation Therapy, Relapse Prevention Therapy (RPT), and Medication-Assisted Therapy.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is an evidence-based model which connects thoughts influence of an individual to the underlying behavior (NAMI, 2016). CBT assumes that by mentoring the cognitive ability of an individual, behavior can be improved (Becks, 1995).

CBT and Behavioral Therapy is the best strategy for the juvenile though it is also helpful in adults. It addresses issues like violence and criminality, dangers of substance abuse, early (teen) pregnancy and unsound sex behaviors (Beck, 1999). Little (2005) suggests that the most effective therapeutic technique when well utilized is a combination of different CBT strategies.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy is a subset of CBT and includes the impact of behavior on oneself and others in the community. Therefore, it aims at educating an individual to think for a moment before making any decisions or taking any action (Vitacco & Van, 2005).

Moral Reconation Therapy uses education as a tool to confront wrong behaviors. It involves group or individual counseling and other structured practices that are meant to confront inmates on how the consequences of their actions affect themselves and people around them, most importantly those that depend on them directly thereby fostering moral development (Correctional Counseling Inc., 2016).

Reasoning and Rehabilitation Therapy acknowledges that the reason an offender is in jail is as a result of cognitive and social deficits. Therefore, the psychologist develops a programme that enhances self-control, interpersonal problem-solving skills and improving prosocial attitude (Milkman & Wanberg, 2007).

Relapse Prevention Therapy is essential if inmates report relapses as the cause of committing the crime. RTP aims at enhancing self-management of thoughts and behavior. The psychologist also advises such inmates to identify their trigger buttons and try as much as possible to avoid them (Milkman & Wanberg, 2007).

Medication-Assisted Therapy is a correction strategy that is most effective in inmates with substance abuse problems. It incorporates medications to behavioral therapy. The psychologist together with correctional doctors provides medications depending on the addiction being treated to suppress the urge for the drug.

Conclusion

Correctional psychologists play a vital role in inmate management. However, they need other players starting from the inmates, custody staffs, correctional officers among others to effectively realize this goal as failure would result in a continued release-rearrest cycle.

References

Beck, J. (1995). Cognitive Therapy. Basics and Beyond. New York, NY: Guilford.

Desmarais, S., & Singh, J. (2013). Risk assessment instruments validated and implemented in correctional settings in the United States. An empirical guide. Retrieved fromcsgjusticecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Risk-Instruments-Guide.pdf.

Lauren, R. J. (1997). Positive Approaches to Corrections: Research, Policy, And Practices. Lanham, MD: American Correctional Association.

Little, G. (2005). Meta-Analysis of Moral Reconation Therapy: Recidivism results from probation and parole implementations. Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment Review.

Milkman, H., & Wanberg, K. (2007). Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment. A review and discussion for corrections professionals. Washington, DC: National Institute of Corrections.

National Institute of Mental Health. (2012). Mental Health Facts in America. Retrieved on 2/3/17 from www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-By-the-Numbers

Vitacco, M., & Van, R. (2005). Treating Insanity Acquittees with Personality Disorders: Implementing Dialectical Behavior Therapy in a forensic hospital. Journal of ForensicPsychology Practice.