GROUP THERAPY WITH INMATES IN A CANADIAN PRISON

Abstract

Rosow's2 excellent article regarding his group therapy experiences with prison inmates suggested many of the problems involved in this type of treatment within a prison situation. He stressed the necessity of analytic approaches, "since most inmates belong to a borderline group, neither neurotic nor psychotic, who use criminal acting out as a defense .... " He further suggested that within the psychoanalytic framework, one must be flexible enough to modify the techniques to the occasion. Corsini3 outlined a novel "behind your back" technique which he felt was an attempt to do group therapy that was not "forced," "artificial" or "unreal." Despite his
attempts to "draw on natural forces," his "gossip" circle seemed quite artificial and yet appeared effective in producing desired changes in the patient-prisoners. In another article, Corsini4 created an even more artificial situation by forcing hostile prisoners into group therapy, again with positive results.