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Unit.D.5.9.
Families of Offenders
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Canada |
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| In Canada,
conjugal visiting rooms not only exit, but are a routine
fixture. There are 102 private "family visiting
units" within the perimeters of 41 federal penitentiaries,
and more that are under construction (McGovern, 1996,
p. 29).
"The
forensic genogram is an assessment/intervention tool
used with the forensic offender and a generational
map of physical and psychosocial problems" (Kent-Wilkinson,
1999, p. 52).
"The
original genogram is a tool developed for use in understanding
the dynamics of family relationships between three
generations. Although the genogram originated with
the discipline of family therapy, it has long been
found to be useful to the disciplines of nursing and
medicine" (Rakel, 1977, Bell, Watson & Wright,
1990; Puskar & Nerone, 1996; cited in Kent-Wilkinson,
1999, p. 52).
"Murray
Bowen, a family system theorist and practitioner,
developed the original genogram as a tool for analyzing
family structure in his family systems theory"
(Bowen, 1978; cited in Kent-Wilkinson, 1999, p. 52).
"The
forensic genogram, expanded from the traditional genogram,
is a three-generational graphic description of a patient's
family, and provides additional information that compliments
the traditional forensic nursing history assessment
format.
"Individual
and family patterns can easily be mapped with regard
to behaviours of criminal activity, addictions, and
suicide attempts. In addition, psychosocial and physical
patterns are identified as well as patterns of education
and employment" (Kent-Wilkinson, 1999, p. 53).
"As
part of the legal chart, the forensic family genogram
serves as a graphic database for information and could
routinely accompany the court letter, providing the
judge, crown and the defense with additional knowledge
at a glance.
"The
author recommends the forensic genogram tool for student
nurses beginning to understand the complexities of
the forensic offender population.
"The
forensic genogram may provide further information
that facilitates health promotion, cost containment
as well as a further understanding of the events and
factors in an individual's life that have resulted
in their current situation before the courts"
(Kent-Wilkinson, 1999, p. 55).
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"From
the moment of arrest to final sentencing, the physical,
and psychological stress of the incarceration process
is overwhelming for the offender and the family"
(Bernier, 1986, p. 23).
"The machinery of the criminal justice system
and those that operate it are a subculture of a larger
society. Entrance into this subculture causes shock
for the non member" (Bernier, 1986, p. 23).
"The legal system and its concomitant terminology
is often confusing to inmates and their families.
Also, inmates may not be fully aware or certain of
their rights, regarding such things as indeterminate
sentences, early release programs, and the availability
of programs to make the transition from the "inside"
to the "outside"" (Bernier, 1986, p.
24).
"Such issues as supervision through parole, reintegrating
into the family and community, and continuous employment
can be pivotal to determining whether the person can
make it on the outside" (Bernier, 1986, p. 24).
"Nonresidential programs such as furloughs and
family visits are excellent opportunities for working
with the inmate and the family by focusing on the
issues of separation and eventual integration into
the family and community" (Bernier, 1986, p.
24).
"Family
Crisis Theory maintains that the meaning the family
attaches to the event influences whether or not it
is defined as a crisis" (Hill, 1965; cited in
Carlson & Cervera, 1991, p. 279).
"Incarceration
causes traumatic separation leading to family dismemberment,
and some theories assert that the loss of a member
to prison is even more demoralizing than to wives
and children than a loss resulting from death"
(Homer, 1979; Jorgensen et al. 1986; cited in Carlson
& Cervera, 1991, p. 279).
"Initially
families respond with a period of disorganization,
followed by a period of recovery and reorganization"
(Carlson & Cervera, 1991, p. 279).
"The
remaining parent must explain the father's absence.
Often as a result of the parent's embarrassment or
fear, children are deceived or misled by being told
their father is away at a job or in a hospital"
(Schwartz & Weintraub, 1974; cited in Carlson
& Cervera, 1991, p. 279).
"The
two most common coping mechanisms for wives were family
support and religion, faith or prayer, followed by
the need to persevere for the sake of the children.
Next were maintaining a positive attitude, communicating
with the inmate through personal visits, letters and
telephone calls" (Carlson & Cervera, 1991,
p. 279).
"Because
most inmates serve brief sentences and soon return
to the community, it strongly behooves the social
worker to minimize the destructiveness of the incarceration
and to maximize the rehabilitative potential by providing
needed services" (Carlson & Cervera, 1991,
p. 285).
"Only
in recent years have social scientists begun to devote
substantial attention to the families of inmates"
(Kiser, 1991, p. 56).
"Without
understanding family influence, it is impossible to
understand why some inmates commit their crimes"
(Robins, West & Herjanic, 1975; Bauach, 1985;
cited in Kiser, 1991, p. 56).
"If
the nation is as concerned about the victims of crime
that it professes, we must recognize that those victims
include many families of inmates" (Salholzz et
al, 1990; cited in Kiser, 1991, p. 56).
"Inmates
treasured visits with their families which they interpreted
as concrete evidence that those people still cared
for them" (Kiser, 1991, p. 60).
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Focus Points
Reference
| Bernier,
S.L. (1986). Corrections and mental health. |
Journal
of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services,
24(6), 20-25.
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| Carlson,
B.E., & Cervera, N.J. (1991). Incarceration,
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coping
and support. Social Work, 36(4), 280- 285.
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| Kent-Wilkinson,
A. (1999). Forensic family genogram: |
An assessment
& intervention tool. Journal
of Psychosocial Nursing, 37 (9), 52-56. Retrieved
July 22, 2002, from ProQuest database.
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| Kiser, G.C.
(1991). Female inmates and their families. |
Federal
Probation, 55, 56-63.
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| McGovern,
C. (1996). Must our prisons be resorts? |
Reader's
Digest, 8, 25-30.
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Topic
D - Forensic Corrections > Section D.D.5.
Forensic Population> Unit.D.5.9. Families of Offenders
