Psycho-Educational

Programming and Re-Entry Preparation

Arizona Department of Corrections

Counseling & Treatment Services

Inmate Programs: Opportunities for

Change

Presented by: Courtney Gottschalk

Mar’ Kuhlman L.M.S.W., L.I.S.A.C. Jan Wethers GCDF, OWDS

.

“Brooks Was Here”

What is Inmate Programming?Inmate programming can be a lot of things. But first let’s take a look at why we would offer programming. What’s it for – what form does it take, and what do the inmates get from it?

• Programming Addresses Recidivism• Educational/Vocational Training• Prison Industries• Employment Services

Corrections At A Glance

Total Incarcerated 42,339 (100.0%)*

Violent Offender 30,359 (71.7%)Non-Violent Offender 11,980 (28.3%)Prior ADC Term 20,749 (49.0%)First ADC Term 21,590 (51.0%)

*April 31, 2015

What Does This Tell Us?• We need to look at what our inmates are doing. • If we are going to reduce recidivism we need to change how we view our

inmates, how they view us and invest more of ourselves in their rehabilitation.

What We Already Do – • Conduct universal screening and assessment of inmates for mental

illness and substance abuse• Provide services and treatment based upon the inmates’ scores and

program availability.• Provide educational programs

Maximize Limited ResourcesWorking with what we have:

• Use existing programs and develop new ones

• Utilize staff who already interact in a particular function with inmates.

• Teach all staff a different way of viewing inmates.

• Speak to inmates in a new and improved way.

• Encourage inmates to speak amongst themselves and us differently.

• Model behavior for the inmates

What Inmate Programming Isn’t

It isn’t a cure all that’s magically going to make everything better for the inmate or for staff.

it's the inmate's option whether or not to take advantage of what’s put in front of him.

It can be very difficult to engage a prisoner culture that frowns on any sign of weakness and vulnerability, and discourages the expression of candid emotions – all of which are required when participating in some ADC programs.

Academic Education Mandatory Literacy GED High School Career and Technical

Education

Work Programs Arizona Correctional

Industries Wild Mustangs Progra

m Wild Land Fire Crew

Treatment Addiction Sex Offender Mental Health

Variety of Opportunities

Religious Services

Psycho-Educational Programming

Cognitive Restructuring Re-Entry Domestic Violence Conflict Resolution Courage to Change

Self Improvement 12 Steps Girl Scouts Beyond

Bars ASU Reading Program

Variety of Opportunities

Understand Importance of Money Management

Budgeting

Set financial goals 

Learn about credit

Money Management Class

History if antisocial behavior Antisocial personality Antisocial cognition Antisocial associates Family and/or Marital School and/or Work Leisure and/or Recreation Substance Abuse

Risk Factors for Recidivism

Mandatory Programming at ADC

•Thinking for a Change (T4C)•Cognitive Restructuring

•Merging Two Worlds (M2W)•Re-Entry/Pre-Release

•The Courage to Change•Maximum Custody Inmate

The Little Engine That Could

Close and Maximum Custody

The Courage to Change

ADC has added this guided journaling programming for close and maximum custody inmates.

This interactive journaling program was chosen because:• On the National Registry of Evidence- Based Programs and

Practices• Cognitive based• Easy to facilitate and requires no special knowledge• Can individualize an overall program for an inmate by assigning the

workbooks which address the inmate's needs areas

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Integrated Cognitive Behavior Change

Program

BreakFast Club