Roles and Functions of Psychologists in American Correctional Institutions

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the actual roles and functions of correctional psychologists to their perceived ideal roles and functions. The hypothesis was that roles and functions of correctional psychologists are predetermined, in great part, by the prevailing negative attitudes and behaviours of the institution's social organizational structure. The principal postulate of the study was simply that the theme which correctional psychologists would display would be a direct service model in support of the institution's overriding need for security and management of inmates. However, findings of the study refuted that hypothesis and further suggested that a large number of correctional psychologists are playing other, more therapeutic and helping roles. Generally, correctional psychologsts wanted to spend less time in diagnostics and program administration. They wanted, instead, to spend more time in counseling and psychotherapy, emphasizing social-personal learning while deemphasizing prison adjustment for prison adjustment's sake. Correctional psychologists also wished to spend more time in program planning and research. There is recognition among correctional psychologists that program planning is a powerful tool and that program evaluation is extremely important; indeed, correctional psychologists want to know which programs work to help offenders and why.