Skip to main content
Log in

Aiding the parolee adjustment process: A systemic perspective on assessment

  • Clinical Issues
  • Published:
Contemporary Family Therapy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Addressing the mental health needs of inmates and parolees is a complex process. The authors have found a family systems approach useful in conceptualizing the complexities of the adjustment process faced by parolees. The inmate/parolee is embedded in a number of complex systems that present difficulties related to boundary maintenance, hierarchy struggles, and family-of-origin loyalties. The authors suggest crucial areas for assessment and some common dysfunctional systems dynamics that are encountered.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bartol, C., & Bartol, A. (1986).Criminal behavior: A psychosocial approach. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beck, A. (February 1989). Recidivism of prisoners released in 1983.Bureau of Justice Statistics, Special Report (NCJ111098). US Department of Justice, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Correctional Populations in the United States. (February, 1989).Bureau of Justice Statistics (NCJ111611) US Department of Justice, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Innes, C. (July, 1988). Drug Use and Crime.Bureau of Justice Statistics, Special Report (NCJ111940). US Department of Justice, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferraro, K., Johnson, J., Jorgenson, S., & Bolton, F. (1983). Problems of prisoners' families: The hidden costs of imprisonment.Journal of Family Issues, 4, 575–591.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fishman, S., & Alissi, A. (1979). Strengthening families as natural support systems for offenders.Federal Probation, 43(3), 16–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fritsch, T., & Burkhead, J. (1981). Behavioral reactions of children to parental absence due to imprisonment.Family Relations, 30, 83–88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gunn, J., Robertson, G., Dell, S. & Way, C. (1978).Psychiatric aspects of imprisonment. New York; Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harris, G. (1984). The criminal personality: A dialogue with Stanton Samenow.Journal of Counseling and Development, 63, 227–229.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaslow, F. (1987). Couples or family counseling for prisoner's and their significant others.The American Journal of Family Therapy, 15(4), 352–360.

    Google Scholar 

  • Langan, P., Fundis, J., Greenfeld, L., & Schneider, V. (May, 1988). Historical statistics on prisoners in state and federal institutions, Yearend 1925–86.Bureau of Justice Statistics (NCJ111098). US Department of Justice, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lowenstein, A. (1984). Coping with stress: The case of prisoners' wives.Journal of Marriage and the Family, 46, 699–707.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGuire, J., & Priestley, P. (1985).Offending behavior. New York: St. Martin's Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prisoners in 1988. (April, 1989).Bureau of Justice Statistics (NCJ1116315). US Department of Justice, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosenkrantz, L., & Joshua, V. (1981). Behavioral reactions of children to parental absence due to imprisonment.Family Relations, 30, 575–591.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sack, W., Seidler, J., & Thomas, S. (1967). The children of imprisoned parents: a psychosocial exploration.American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 46, 618–628.

    Google Scholar 

  • Samenow, S. (1984).Inside the criminal mind. New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Showalter, D., & Jones, C. (1980). Marital and family therapy in prisons.Social Work, 25, 224–228.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Romig, C., Gruenke, C. Aiding the parolee adjustment process: A systemic perspective on assessment. Contemp Fam Ther 16, 301–314 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02196882

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02196882

Key words

Navigation