Problems in Operating a Drug Rehabilitation Center in an Adult Correctional Setting and Some Preventive Guidelines or Strategies

Abstract

In the operation of a Therapeutic Community (TC) within a prison setting, unique problems arise in blending the two modalities. This article reviews these unique aspects of operating a TC in a correctional setting and discusses possible preventative strategies in ameliorating potential difficulties. Some of the problems include differences in philosophy, nontherapeutic aspects of the prison environment, dependency on the prison environment, and unique staff problems. Specific and general suggestions are made for eliminating or coping with these problems. The authors conclude that changes can be made and effective treatment can exist within the correctional setting.

Some Curriculum Ideas for Training Public Offender Counselors

“…Many public offender counselors experience difficulties and frustrations in settings where they counsel public offenders (Smith, Beamish, & Page, 1979). Sometimes public offender counselors willingly or unwillingly assume roles of authority that conflict with ethical counseling practices .…”

“…This organization, composed for the most part of counselors in the field of corrections, is attempting to contribute to the development of knowledge, skills, and understanding in the rapidly rising field of correctional counseling. Additional evidence of this trend of further professionalism includes the development and identification of a "correctional treatment point of view" (Shearer, 1975), the role and function of correctional counselors (Neil & Hecker, 1974;Smith, Beamish, & Page, 1979) and the increased visibility of correctional counseling in current professional literature Peoples, 1975;Hosford & Moss, 1975). The development of ethical standards and certification standards for correctional counselors seems to be just over the horizon.…”

“…The system in which the public offender counselor works, whether it be a prison or community-based program, is often oriented more toward punishing public offenders than rehabilitating them. Smith, Beamish, and Page (1979) say that counselors in correctional settings often have philosophical and ethical differences with many of the correctional staff. It seems reasonable to assume that counselors who work in corrections need to receive some special preparation for working with public offenders.…”

Roles of the Drug Abuse Counselor in a Correctional Facility

“…One attempt to resolve some of the roles of the drug abuse counselor in corrections is to modify the structure of the drug abuse program. For example, a residential treatment program was designed for drug abusers in a correctional institution for women (Smith, Beamish, & Page, 1979). The entire program was oriented toward treatment.…”

“…The counselor must be able to cope with repeated disappointment (Smith, Beamish, & Page, 1979). Drug abuse counselors in corrections need to set realistic goals for themselves and their clients.…”