Curative factors were assessed among therapy groups of offenders experiencing differentially restrictive incarceration, from probation through minimum security and maximum security to a special segregation unit for behaviorally problematic prisoners. Catharsis was highly rated as in earlier studies, while interpersonal learning input was rated at varying levels. Existential awareness was rated much higher than with typical outpatient populations, while cohesiveness was rated lower. The significance of these findings is discussed.
An inexpensive needs assessment was conducted using volunteer university students as telephone interviewers. The procedure and findings are described in terms of the literature, and the applicability of the low‐budget approach to other settings is discussed.
Nearly eleven million Americans were caught shoplifting in 1980. Approximately six percent of gross retail sales in the U.S. and Canada goes to cover the cost of shoplifting prevention efforts and losses. Recent research suggests that psychosocial stressors contribute heavily to shoplifting behavior, and that brief individual and group psychological treatments have thepotential to reduce recidivism and promote rehabilitation. This article describes in detail a six session psychoeducational group treatment which is built around the notion ofprecipitating stressors. The structuredprogram "walks" each participant in turn through the specifics of the incident which resulted in their arrest-including stressors, rationalizations, and consequences. The treatment program, implemented by masters' level counselors, consciously utilizes commonly recognized group forces. Referring judges have been well satisfied with the program, which has been used routinely with convictedfirst offense shoplifters since 1982. Probation officers estimate that to date, only 5% of shoplifters who have participated in the program since 1982 have been re-arrested in the county for shoplifting.
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