Definition of Prison Psychologist
Prison psychologists are professionals who work in correctional facilities and prisons to assess, diagnose, and treat inmates with mental health and behavioral issues. They also provide counseling and therapy services, as well as help to create and implement programs to address the psychological needs of the incarcerated population. Prison psychologists must be well-versed in the complexities of both the criminal justice system and psychology.
History of Prison Psychologists
The history of prison psychologists is closely tied to the development of correctional facilities and prisons. In the mid-1800s, prisons in the United States began to focus more on rehabilitation rather than punishment, leading to the creation of rehabilitation and treatment programs for inmates. During this time, psychologists began to be employed in correctional facilities to assess, diagnose, and treat inmates with mental health and behavioral issues. Since then, the role of prison psychologists has continued to evolve and expand as more research is conducted and as correctional systems themselves become increasingly complex.
Characteristics of Prison Psychologists
Prison psychologists must possess a wide range of skills in order to effectively work with inmates. They must possess strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills and be able to empathize with inmates and their families. They must also be knowledgeable about the criminal justice system and be able to assess and diagnose inmates’ mental health and behavioral issues. Additionally, prison psychologists must be able to work with a variety of people, including inmates, correctional officers, and other professionals.
Conclusion
Prison psychologists are an essential part of the criminal justice system, providing mental health and behavioral services to inmates in correctional facilities and prisons. They must possess a wide range of skills in order to effectively work with inmates and the criminal justice system, including strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills. With the increasing complexity of the criminal justice system, the role of prison psychologists is becoming increasingly important.
References
American Psychological Association. (2020). What is Psychology? Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/topics/what-is-psychology
Brodsky, S. L. (2009). The role of the psychologist in the correctional setting. Psychology, Public Policy, and Law, 15(2), 115–131. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0016179
Foster, J. P., & Johnson, R. E. (2015). Correctional psychology: A practitioner’s guide. Routledge.
Meschede, T. (2017). The color of wealth: The story behind the US racial wealth divide. The Economic Policy Institute.
Szymanski, M. (2020). Mental health and the criminal justice system: A comprehensive guide. American Psychological Association.