NCJ Number
68082
Journal
Social Work Volume: 25 Issue: 3 Dated: (MAY 1980) Pages: 224-228
Date Published
1980
Length
5 pages
Annotation
AN INNOVATIVE MARITAL WORKSHOP CONDUCTED AT THE KANSAS STATE PENITENTIARY FOR SPOUSES AND INMATES PRIOR TO PAROLE ATTEMPTS TO DEVELOP UNDERSTANDING AND COPING SKILLS NECESSARY FOR SUCCESSFUL REHABILITATION.
Abstract
THE ARTICLE DISCUSSES THE EFFECTS OF IMPRISONMENT ON THE SPOUSES AND CHILDREN OF INMATES AND REVIEWS LITERATURE ON FAMILY-CENTERED REHABILITATIVE EFFORTS IN CORRECTIONS. THESE EXPERIMENTAL MARITAL WORKSHOPS IN WHICH THE WIVES JOIN THEIR HUSBANDS FOR A WEEKEND FOCUS ON (1) THE CHANGE EACH PERSON HAS EXPERIENCED WHILE SEPARATED, (2) THE NEED TO DEVELOP EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION SKILLS TO ENABLE THE COUPLE TO TALK OPENLY TOGETHER ABOUT THEIR FEELINGS CONCERNING THEIR RELATIONSHIP, (3) THE NEED TO MAKE CLEAR DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR MARRIAGE, (4) THE SKILLS TO KEEP STRESS AND TENSION FROM INTERFERING WITH COMMUNICATION, AND (5) THE ACQUISITION KNOWLEDGE ABOUT COMMUNITY RESOURCES. NONASSERTIVE, ASSERTIVE AND AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR IS DEFINED AND DISCUSSED. ASSERTION IS STRESSED AS THE MOST EFFECTIVE BEHAVIOR TO USE IN COMMUNICATION. GROUP MEMBERS LEARN PROGRESSIVE RELAXATION TECHNIQUES TO CALM THEMSELVES WHILE UNDER STRESS AND TO CONTROL THEIR PASSIVE AND AGGRESSIVE REACTIONS. MAJOR ISSUES OF CONCERN ARE IDENTIFIED FOR EACH COUPLE. SOCIAL WORKERS PROVIDE PRIVATE COUNSELING FOR INDIVIDUAL COUPLES IN A FAMILY UNIT MEETING. DUE TO THE POSITIVE IMPACT ON REHABILITATION, MARITAL AND FAMILY COUNSELING IS RECOMMENDED ON AN EXTENSIVE SCALE FOR ALL PENITENTARIES. FOURTEEN REFERENCES ARE APPENDED.