NCJ Number
158773
Date Published
1993
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This paper describes the group sessions that take place in the Pontypridd Probation Day Center in Wales and are designed to prevent recidivism and other problem behavior.
Abstract
The sessions are designed and structured to facilitate change across a broad spectrum of problems, particularly offending behavior. During the past few years transactional analysis theory has influenced the program's direction. Group leaders rely on three categories of influence on offenders' behavior: normative influence, informational influence, and interpersonal influence. The groups run for 10-week periods and include three sessions, each lasting 2 hours, each week. Groups are closed and have 8-12 members. Each group has two leaders. The first 2 weeks focus on getting acquainted and sharing anxieties and fears about group involvement. During weeks 3 and 4 group members often express ambivalence and resist tasks either by withdrawing or becoming antagonistic and verbally abusive. During weeks 5 and 6 members seem more willing to work and are ready to explore other areas of their lives. During weeks 7 and 8 group members are encouraged to apply their newly acquired theoretical knowledge and skills to the problematical aspects of their lives that they consider to be important. Weeks 9 and 10 aim to help the group end in a positive way and to facilitate an ending that the group can use as a learning experience for future endings. On the basis of work to date, leaders are convinced that an important aspect of effective work is a confident and flexible approach to leadership.