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One or Two-Way Communication: A Case Study on Offender Counseling

NCJ Number
242731
Journal
Journal of Offender Rehabilitation Volume: 51 Issue: 5 Dated: July 2012 Pages: 331-350
Author(s)
Jing-Ying Guo
Date Published
July 2012
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This article, based on conversation analysis, focuses on one case study and examines "what is actually going on" between the police counselor and inmate client in the context of the prison.
Abstract
Offender counseling has been booming in China with typical Chinese characteristics, one of the most prominent of which is the possession of dual identities by both parties during the counseling interaction. This article, based on conversation analysis, focuses on one case study and examines "what is actually going on" between the police counselor and inmate client in the context of the prison in order to explore: (1) what kinds of discursive strategies are employed by the police counselor to engage the inmate client in the counseling; (2) how the inmate client responds to delicate matters, formulaic questions, and advice delivered by the police counselor; and (3) how the police counselor and inmate client manage their speech during the counseling conversation despite the obvious power imbalance between them. Abstract published by arrangement with Taylor and Francis.