NCJ Number
2361
Date Published
1968
Length
354 pages
Annotation
AN EFFORT TO ESTABLISH A THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITY WITHIN THE WALLS OF A PRISON IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
THE PHILOSOPHY DEVELOPED CONTAINS FIVE MAJOR POINTS. IF OFFENDERS ARE TO BE DEALT WITH AS HUMAN BEINGS, IT MUST BE ASSUMED THAT THEY ARE BASICALLY LIKE EVERYONE ELSE, ONLY THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES ARE SPECIAL. MEN LIVE OUT THEIR LIVES IN SPECIFIC SETTINGS, AND IT IS THERE, IN THE CRUCIBLE OF INTERACTION, THAT THEIR POTENTIALITIES ARE SEALED OFF OR RELEASED. AN ADMINISTRATION THAT RELIES SOLELY ON ITS OWN COERCIVE RESOURCES CAN MAKE LITTLE CONTRIBUTION TO THE RECONSTRUCTION OF PRISON LIFE OR TO THE CREATION OF ENVIRONMENTS THAT ENCOURAGE AUTONOMY OR SELF-RESPECT. A SYSTEM THAT VALIDATES THE HUMANITY OF ITS PARTICIPANTS, AND ENGAGES THEIR FULL RESOURCES, ACCEPTS THE RISK OF DISORDER AND EVEN, FROM TIME TO TIME, OF SEARING CONFRONTATIONS. THE TREATMENT THAT WILL BE MOST EFFECTIVE IS THAT WHICH DOES THE MOST FOR THE INMATE'S SENSE OF SELF-WORTH AND RESPONSIBILITY. NOTHING CONTRIBUTES MORE TO THESE FEELINGS THAN A SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT WHOSE CONSTITUTIVE PRINCIPLE IS JUSTICE, WITH ITS COROLLARIES OF PARTICIPATION, GIVING REASONS, AND PERSONAL DIGNITY. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)