GROUP METHODS AND THE ADULT OFFENDER

Abstract

My actual experience with offenders stems from my two years work as Chief of the Legal Psychiatric Services, Washington, D.C. This Service is a Division of Mental Health of the District of Columbia which was established in 1953 for the purpose of helping the Probation and Parole Offices in the District as well as the Department of Corrections and the Judges. In the past, because of the shortage on our staff and because of the difficulties we faced from various conditions, the function of the clinic was just extensive psychiatric diagnostic evaluations and consultations with our referring agencies. Today, with more staff, and with less difficulties, we are able to widen and diversify the range of our activities. Emphasis is now being placed upon the treatment of offenders, the training of our referring agencies and the education of the public.