It is not the norm yet by any standards that prisons adopt rehabilitation of criminals as their primary focus. While there are some model programs being implemented at prisons across the country (from private ownership to community-based programs), the primary function of most prisons in the USA today is punishing the criminal and separating them from the rest of society, “Today most prisons do not rehabilitate; when they occasionally do, this is not their specific purpose. The purposes of imprisonment are to punish criminal offenders, to incapacitate them, or both. Still, rehabilitation is the overriding aim of a progressive correctional system,” (Rotman, 1990: 145).
However, with the overwhelming number of young offenders in prison today, it must be the aim of the criminal justice system to rehabilitate these men and women so they can become productive contributing members to society upon their release. One method such as this is group therapy. This type of rehabilitation has been found to be effective in helping criminals learn or unlearn attitudes and behaviors that were necessary for self-growth. This analysis will discuss group therapy for the prison criminal with emotional problems. The goals and aims of group therapy for the criminal will be addressed as well as particular methods and styles of group therapy that are used with an intent of rehabilitation. A brief conclusion will address the fact that progressive rehabilitation on any level needs to be a multi-level cooperative effort for society to effectively rehabilitate criminals with emotional problems.
Group counseling is aimed at helping criminals with emotional problems be able to recognize, address and share these problems within a close group of peers who meet on a regular basis with a group therapist. The group interaction is thought to help the criminal increase understanding, awareness and acceptance in order to change attitudes and behaviors ...