Reading Assignment
The treatment and management of the inmate population is, for some correctional agencies, their primary goal.
Treatment seeks to lessen criminal behavior, motivate inmates toward law-abiding behavior, and lessen criminal inclinations. Treatment can take many forms such as vocational training, religious activities, and therapeutic communities.
Correctional institutions generally spend only a fraction of their budget on treatment programs. There may be several reasons for the minimal support of treatment. Generally, administrative officials have not trained in the social sciences. There is also a general antagonism toward treatment.
Still,treatment services have come a long way. Cognitive-behavioral rehabilitation programs demonstrate some of the most promising reductions in recidivism. The view of the 'state of treatment' in the corrections system is provided in this chapter.
The treatment of offenders and inmates are very much a part of local facilities. State and federal correctional facilities also have treatment programs available for convicted individuals. Treatment is part of the rehabilitation process. This chapter talks about:
The varied types of programs offered in correctional facilities: educational, medical, mental health, substance abuse, life skills, religious, job training.
After reading Chapter 9 summary above and its various "Correctional Briefs", you will note that there are many different types of programs within correctional facilities.
Which jail program do you believe is most beneficial to an inmate? Do you think that programs are beneficial and can decrease recidivism?