Contributions of Canadian applied psychological research to correctional and psychiatric institutions.

Abstract

Psychological research done in Canada and relevant to the treatment of persons institutionalized in psychiatric and correctional settings is reviewed. Studies are divided into four categories: prevention, assessment, treatment, and release. Although some innovative and influential applied research has been accomplished, the amount of applied research is relatively small and tends to focus on assessment rather than treatment issues. A discussion of some of the factors responsible for the relative paucity of relevant research is followed by a discussion of what might be done to improve the quantity and quality of research efforts in the future. Rule and Adair (1984) recently summarized the substantial contributions of psychology as a social science to Canadian society. In that paper, contributions by psychologists to the treatment of the mentally ill or to correctional populations were not reviewed. The present paper is a summary of research completed by psychologists in Canada that is relevant to the treatment of persons institutionalized in psychiatric and correctional settings. We have chosen to limit the scope of the paper to studies that have had fairly direct applications and studies in which possible applications are mentioned. Although we have attempted to identify, or at least sample, all of the Canadian research that meets these criteria, our coverage of more recent material is better than that of older, and our coverage of material published in French is very poor.The paper begins with a review of relevant papers. Papers are divided into four categories: prevention, assessment, treatment, and release. Following the review is a discussion of some of the factors responsible for the relative paucity of relevant research, and a discussion of what might be done to improve the situation in the future.Thanks are due to G. Harris for helpful comments on an earlier draft of this paper, and to R. Berry, W.R.N. Blair, P. Gendreau, J. Pettifor, and many others for providing much helpful material. Apologies are due to many people, especially those who publish in French, whose work did not come to our attention.

Law and psychology in Canada: The need for training and research.

“…A comprehensive review of the area completed by Rice and Quinsey (1986) shows that most of the research in correctional and psychiatric institutions completed in Canada emphasizes assessment and treatment issues. As the authors point out, however, psychology could have a greater impact in the area of corrections if researchers and practitioners would expand the realm of their interests.…”

A survey of the practices and activities of Canadian clinical psychologists.

“…The breadth of service of clinical psychology is rapidly expanding and clinical psychologists are making important contributions to our general hospitals (Arnett, Martin, Streiner, & Goodman, 1987) and medical schools (Arnett & Martin, 1981). Moreover, increasing numbers of psychologists are involved in "nontraditional" specialties such as health psychology (Lacroix, 1987), pain management (von Baeyer & Genest, 1985), custody and access mediation (Jaffe & Cameron, 1984), forensic services (Bonta, Cormier, Peters, Gendreau, & Marquis, 1983; Rice & Quinsey, 1986), and services for young offenders (Jaffe, Leschied, Sas, & Austin, 1985).…”

Scientific Experimentation on Canadian Inmates, 1955 to 1975

“…By 1967, it was reported that Solicitor-General Pennell 'needed more psychiatrists in the Canadian Penitentiary Service' because the penitentiary was 'not a place to punish' but rather 'a place to reform and rehabilitate, to reduce crime by correcting antisocial attitudes' (Waring 1967, p.980). 'Correctional psychology' was an integral component of the overall correctionalist view of criminality prevalent in society during this time period (Bonta et al 1983;Rice and Quinsey 1986). This is why the experimental use of therapeutical drugs and experimental treatments was common practice in the 1950s, 1960s, and early 1970s.…”