Considerable time and expense is invested into a comprehensive assessment and evaluation of a person's needs and strengths during intake (Policy Statement 8, Development of Intake Procedure) and developing an individualized programming plan for the period of his or her incarceration (Policy Statement 9, Development of Programming Plan). Although this is an appropriate and wise allocation of resources, it must be coupled with efforts to ensure the person understands the basis for his or her negative or criminal behavior. Without this understanding or certain basic skills, a person's ability to succeed in the community upon release from prison or jail may be severely limited.

The recommendations in this policy statement both buttress and supplement the other policy statements in this chapter, all of which relate to prison- and jail-based programming. Successfully engaging a person in cognitive behavioral treatment or mentoring, for instance, might mean that he or she has come to understand the importance of other services and is now ready to begin drug treatment (Policy Statement 12, Substance Abuse Treatment) or job training (Policy Statement 15, Education and Vocational Training). Further, teaching a person life skills, including social skills, may give him or her the building blocks needed to be responsible for managing his or her mental illness (Policy Statement 11, Mental Health Care and Policy Statement 20, Planning Continuity of Care) or to develop healthy family relationships (Policy Statement 13, Children and Families). On the other hand, such programs have merit even apart from other services. The most effective cognitive-behavioral programs have been shown to significantly affect recidivism rates, even among the highest-risk, hardest-to-reach individuals. Victim-based programming can also have positive effects on the community and on the victim, and both may get a chance to be heard and to obtain some form of reparation. The recommendations that follow provide several ways to ensure prison-based programming is effective: engaging inmates; building trust; training inmates around life skills; and preparing them for a life in the community.

Recommendations:

1.

Prisoners often have behavioral and attitudinal issues that would benefit from services designed to enhance prosocial behavior.

A.

Provide inmates with programs that include evidence-based cognitive-behavioral treatments.

B.

Facilitate efforts of community and faith-based institutions, peer support groups, and other service providers to engage and mentor prisoners, and to foster relationships that improve trust and confidence in treatment and services.

2.

Services for the prisoner population have generally diminished over the past two decades; volunteers can provide some services to begin to fill the gap.

C.

Provide inmates with services that address their need for basic life skills, including relationship skills.

3.

Cognitive-behavioral programs are significantly associated with recidivism reduction and are cost-effective.

D.

Compel unwilling and high-risk inmates to participate in behavioral and other related treatment services, and ensure that services for those who appear unresponsive to programs continue when those individuals return to the community.

E.

Provide (and encourage inmates to attend) victim impact panels, impact of crime classes, and other educational programs involving victims and/or victim advocates designed to convey the harm resulting from crime. [1]