Thomas J. Fagan

THE REHABILITATION AND REINTEGRATION OF OFFENDERS The Current Landscape and Some Future Directions for Correctional Psychology

The treatment literature on offender rehabilitation is reviewed with the purpose of deriving further direction for researchers and clinicians in the field of correctional psychology. After addressing the measurement of recidivism and other indicators of effectiveness, this empirically guided article reviews individual studies and meta-analyses on effectiveness of psychosocial correctional treatment for adult offenders and specialized treatment for substance abuse offenders and sexual offenders. A foundation in the general principles of offender intervention is established; principles such as risk, need, and responsivity are upheld; and common themes including the use of cognitive-behavioral interventions and the importance of treatment integrity emerge. However, questions move beyond “what works” to detailed queries about the nuances of effective service delivery, including client motivation. Well-controlled clinical studies and detailed process evaluations are still required. Other new directions include the application of positive psychology to offender treatment and the improvement of conditions under which community reentry is more likely to succeed. Directions for further research on correctional treatment are suggested.

Self-injurious behavior in correctional settings.

This article reviews the literature concerning self-injury among criminal offenders. It describes many of the problems, barriers, and obstacles to effective assessment and treatment of self-injury and discusses the absence of a clear paradigm within which to develop a classification system and standardized nomenclature to describe the spectrum of self-injurious behaviors. This article distinguishes between self-injury resulting from suicidal versus nonsuicidal intent, presents treatment strategies for managing each, and concludes with a proposed set of eight recommended goals for creating a national strategy to develop self-injury programming in correctional settings.

Systemic Issues and Correctional Outcomes Expanding the Scope of Correctional Psychology

Professional work in corrections is beset with issues ranging from conflicting justice-system goals, lack of resources, role confusion, ethical dilemmas, and an atmosphere often hostile to empirical research and program evaluation. The authors describe several systemic issues that impact the work of correctional psychologists and their effectiveness. Recognizing the critical need for evidence-based clinical practice, the authors argue, in addition, that the correctional psychologists mission should be expanded to include macro-level systems issues. These include questions of social responses to crime, unintended consequences of correctional practice, the need for research on institutional policy, and methods for system-wide evaluation of correctional programs and settings. The authors describe the nature and scope of each issue and offer a suggested research agenda.

The Effects of Restrictive Housing on the Psychological Functioning of Inmates

The use of restrictive housing as a correctional management tool has received much attention in recent years, especially as it impacts psychological functioning. While there is considerable literature advocating for the reduced use of restrictive housing, much of it is based on opinions, interview data, and testimonials. This article reviews only the empirical evidence regarding the effects of restrictive housing on psychological functioning in actual correctional settings. Results of this review indicate that only a limited number of empirical studies examine the effects of restrictive housing on mental functioning in correctional settings. Findings from these studies are mixed and are fraught with definitional, geographic, and methodological problems. These problems are identified and discussed. Also, suggestions are made for future research directions to more clearly understand the effects of restrictive housing on psychological functioning.

Predoctoral prescriptive authority curricula: A training option

The purpose of the current article is to encourage discussion among stakeholders about the viability and benefits of predoctoral prescriptive authority (RxP) training. The existing APA model curriculum for RxP training requires that such training is postdoctoral. However, predoctoral models are potentially viable and offer several distinct advantages: reducing the time and financial costs of training, attracting more applicants with a biopsychosocial orientation, and, as more individuals complete this training, enlarging the constituency for state prescriptive authority initiatives. Several possible predoctoral model curricula including the incorporation of a postdoctoral masters degree in clinical psychopharmacology are described within existing APA PhD program requirements, with suggested accommodations for PsyD programs. These are offered as alternatives to, rather than as replacements for, postdoctoral training for RxP.