Counseling Prisoners - Case Study Example

Observation and Reflective Feedback Worksheet "Counseling prisoners involves multiple ethical and therapeutic choices and risks. Prison environments emphasize external control and security. Thus, work in such settings challenges the role of the counselor as a facilitator of client responsibility for independent decision making."1 This was no less true of me as I sat down to talk to a prisoner about his situation. The relevant script was a social worker in a gaol talking to a Domestic Violence perpetrator who was not participating well in group situations. This person was a non-voluntary client. He was rude and not wanting to listen to myself, the social worker. This man loved his child who was having behavioural issues and wetting his bed due to the violence and his father going to gaol. The prisoner (Ben) was in denial about how badly Domestic Violence could impact his child (Jed) and his partner (Ellen). His wife is struggling financially on the outside with her partner in gaol. The role of the observer is to observe and listen, provide constructive feedback, facilitate the worker's reflection on the engagement with the client and exploration of issues/feelings. Feedback was provided by the observer at the end of the role play. One of the questions was, what were the active listening skills that you observed To begin, my role as a social worker was that I was trying to be a source of inspiration and comfort for the subject. The structure was a relaxed environment although I had to sit in an awkward position by the door. I tried to not avoid listening at times. I also tried not to use the technique of non-verbal attendance in order to have more of a lasting presence. I tried to have empathic responses. I was continually doing active listening by encouraging minimally. I used empathy continually and was empathic when Ben told me how hard it was away from his son. Here is a reflection of the content and feelings experienced. I reflected well through out the whole session I was very reflective when Ben said he was not responsible for the Domestic Violence. I frequently summarised and kept checking in that the client was happy with my summaries by getting acknowledgement that he was agreeing with what was being discussed. I frequently used paraphrasing by asking and repeating back when Ben told me there was Domestic violence in the relationship. I used open-ended questions when I asked about Jed Ben's son. I also used the appropriate facial expressions when Ben confided in me about various subjects. I asked Ben about the good times with Ellen and he told me how the good times were good and how they were happy and good friends, and how they used to go to the in-laws' but now he doesn't like them. Ben agreed that both he and Ellen needed to change to get their lives back on track. I recognised when Ben was using different emotions, and, during our discussion, he had a soft spot. I said to Bent that "you seem to have a soft spot for your son Jed." Ben agreed he did and that he loved his son. I also noticed Ben was very harsh towards Ellen at times. Ben did agree that he had good demeanour about, or a had a soft spot for, certain issues. I did notice and reflect this to the client that he had a change in his emotion. I did notice the way I would normally structure a session with a client at work. I couldn't apply it in the mock counseling situation. It didn't feel real and I was struggling to make a made-up scenario real. I understand the basic fundamentals but I find it easier in real life situations rather than mock situations. I feel I was relating well with the client and we were communicating well after the emotional wall he put up initially. Slowly I chipped away at it and he did open up eventually. I was able to talk freely with his values about Domestic Violence. However, the fact that he couldn't see how it was a problem for Jed and how it affected him, was difficult to explain to Ben so that he understood. It wasn't until I mentioned that Jed could be removed from his care if he didn't stop the Domestic Violence that Ben understood the implications of his actions. I feel being blunt is a useful tool with involuntary clients. The issues with power were very relevant. I was in the position of power that if he wanted to get out of gaol, he had to comply with my requests. In that sense, it is hard to gauge what he is saying are lies in order to please, or whether he will really change his life to get well and not use violence. "If [prisoners] seek counseling at all, they may look upon it as a way of playing the model prisoner role and getting an early release, or as a way of getting favors from prison officials."2 Inmates have mentioned that rewards for being good motivate them.3 "[It has been] suggested that [prisons have] other ways of controlling abuses."4 I told him this. I didn't feel I was abusing my position of power, as I was very specific and informative with the firm message that "no abuse is okay." Additionally, I mentioned that Jed may be acting out and bed-wetting as a result of his violent behaviour or being in gaol. I used proper procedure while talking with Ben, the prisoner. I used the correct seat, which was the one nearest the door, if escape was necessary. I had both of our chairs at 45-degree angles. There was no mess on the table; the table was clean and clear. In our interview, confidentiality issues were not made clear. I probably shouldn't have crossed my legs. However, I did use the prisoner's name, "Ben," which is a good reflective skill. In retrospect, I shouldn't have asked to make notes in the case that he would have said "no." I should have clearly stated that I was going to take notes in the first place. I was very focused on Ben and I was trying to maintain eye contact. I reflected for a moment and acted empathically when Ben told me he and Ellen had been together for eight (8) years. I paraphrased well when I took Ben's comment about blaming Ellen's family for issues with the marriage, and creatively re-wording the statement. I was actively listening in this case. I asked appropriate probing questions in regard with finding out from Ben what the triggers were for the fights that occurred (his Domestic Violence incidents). I asked Ben to confirm what he had told the police in a statement that they took in relation to Ellen's hand. I kept probing questions to get more information about the incident. During the session with Ben, I was playing with a pen. In retrospect, I should have kept my hand still and not have fidgeted so much. I made Ben acutely aware of the fact that if he didn't comply he could lose the custody of his son. It can be so difficult to tell people the cold hard truth. Next, I asked probing questions about Jed's behaviour and bed-wetting. I gave Ben hard facts to absorb-which included the idea that if Ellen and he didn't change their living habits, that Jed could be removed from their home. I said to Ben, showing empathy, that "it must be hard for [you] being in gaol," and saying that his situation must be tough. I showed-through facial expressions and the tone of my voice-that I was genuinely shocked to hear just how bad their financial situation must be to need financial assistance, and that their power is going to be cut off. I handed Ben some information about EPA vouchers and anger management information to read after we had finished. I said that, "It must be so difficult for you that Ellen is on anti-depressants." I said to Ben that if he didn't divulge more personal information in the group session that he would not get parole in a few weeks. I gave Ben some basic anger management strategies, telling him to visualise the stop sign and count to five before he reacts in the future so he can try to change his patterns. The attempt to try to change bad habits can take a long time. I summarised my points well in the conclusion, and towards the end I gave Ben a warning that we were going to finish two minutes before we concluded our visit together. During our session, we established that Ben misses Jed. We also established the fact that he didn't like gaol. I had the information regarding EPA vouchers to assist Ellen. I mentioned that Ellen can try things with Jed for his behaviour, which included the suggestion of additional counseling for Ben. "Several prison[s] [have had] family counseling of an individual character, although on a somewhat superficial level."5 Group counseling was also an option. Prison settings are usually "structured around [the group therapy concept]."6 I also mentioned that I would contact Ellen to discuss financial assistance and possible supports for Ellen and Jed. Ben promised to contribute more in groups so that he could get out of gaol on time. "The larger problem, though, is that in many places [discretionary parole has been replaced], in which parole boards decide when a prisoner is ready for conditional release, with a regime that eliminates much of the discretion not only from parole but also from sentencing."7 Ben's problem with the continuance of Domestic Violence probably came from "the confluence of a variety of causal elements."8 Thus new patterns would have to begin. I used "current counseling methods."9 This includes counseling "on a one-to-one basis."10 During the role-play with Elizabeth, I learned quite a lot of feedback from her regarding when I tested my techniques out on her. I also learned that "[w]hether [one is] concerned with the in-depth counseling or immediate crisis intervention counseling, the same principles apply."11 The feedback from Elizabeth acting as the male prisoner Ben was firstly that I didn't offer a drink before I did the confidentiality disclosure. My rationale for this was that I didn't do the disclosure the way I normally would, as I was nervous. Elizabeth also asked why I had asked Ben about his childhood. My rationale, which I explained, was that I wanted to get the client to think back and reflect on his own childhood feelings and see how his son may have felt. Elizabeth commented that I didn't explore the issue of what is going to happen with the Domestic Violence when Ben gets out of gaol. My rationale for doing this was that I forgot to discuss this with Ben. It has been proven that, "to date, education and skill development have not reduced recidivism by rehabilitating criminals."12 Perhaps Ben could not be rewired to not commit Domestic Violence. Another issue that Elizabeth called me on was that I didn't explore the issue of Ben's interfering in-laws. My rationale was that I forgot to mention this in my interview with him as well. Elizabeth also pointed out that I didn't explore the issue of depression that Ben was suffering. This was another point of discussion that I also forgot to bring up. Adjustment issues are less dealt with now than they were in times past, and "corrections work gave major emphasis to the extensive counseling of prisoners."13 It is common for prisoners to have multiple problems upon exiting prison. "Prisoners psychologists report that depression, anger, psychotic symptoms, anxiety, and adjustment issues are the most prevalent problems among inmates."14 Getting treatment for his depression would be crucial, as "the quality ofmental health care[is] virtually nonexistent."15 Professional treatment is the ethical responsibility of a prison.16 I completed all the necessary social worker's duties in both in a real-life counseling situation and in a role-play of the same counseling session, which were the necessary duties required of me. I evaluated and gave my observation and reflective feedback based on the interactions with Ben, the prisoner-as well as my role-play with Elizabeth, who was acting as the mock inmate. I decidedly was much more effective in acting in the real-life situation than I was in the mock counseling situation. In conclusion, my experience counseling Ben, although it proved somewhat difficult at first, was a rewarding one and one that I would be willing to repeat. The mock counseling session did not prove as easy as the actual counseling session with a client. I have learned that seasoned techniques I used with Ben will serve me well. REFERENCES S. Abramsky, et. al. (2003). Ill-equipped: U.S. prisons and offenders with mental illness. USA: Human Rights Watch. R. Aday (2003). Aging prisoners: crisis in American corrections. USA: Praeger Publishers. L. Bennett, et. al. (1978). Counseling in correctional environments. USA: Human Sciences Press. Dewey (2009). Prison counseling. Retrieved May 30, 2009 from Psych Web: http://www.intropsych.com/ch14_frontiers/prison_counseling.html. E. Eddy, et. al. (1978). Applied anthropology in America. USA: Columbia University Press. N. Fenton (1959). The prisoner's family: a study of family counseling in an adult correctional system. USA: Pacific Books. J. Gardinier, et. al. (1975). Crime and criminal justice: issues in public policy analysis. USA: Lexington Books. M. Hill, et. al. (1998). Breaking the rules. USA: Routledge. F. Leong, et. al. (2008). Encyclopedia of counseling. USA: Sage Publications. T. N. Postlethwaite, et. al. (1985). The international encyclopedia of education: research and studies. USA: Pergamon Press. D. Rudovsky, et. al. (1988). The Rights of prisoners: the basic ACLU guide to prisoners' rights. USA: Southern Illinois University Press. N. Scott. (1985). Counseling prisoners: ethical issues, dilemmas, and cautions.. Journal of Counseling & Development, v64 n4 p272-73. Retrieved May 30, 2009, from Education Resources Information Center: http://www.eric.ed.gov:80/ERICWebPortal/custom/portlets/recordDetails/detailmini.jsp_nfpb=tr ue&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=EJ329208&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno= EJ329208. M. Talbot (2003). Catch and release. The Atlantic Monthly. Retrieved May 30, 2009 from PrisonerLife.Com: http://www.prisonerlife.com/articles/articleID=44.cfm. R. M. Thomas (1989). Counseling and life-span development. USA: Sage Publications. TPub.Com (2009). Counseling procedures. Retrieved May 30, 2009 from TPub.Com: http://www.tpub.com/content/armymilitarypolice/MP1026/MP10260026.htm. N. Vacc, et. al. (2003). Counseling multicultural and diverse populations. USA: Routledge. Read More