Social Case Work in Correctional Settings

A general overview on Social Case Work in Correctional Settings

1. SOCIAL CASE WORK IN CORRECTIONAL SETTINGS Presenting by Kiran K K Sem – 1 , MSW CUTN

2. Introduction Social Case Work is a process used by certain social welfare agencies to help individuals to cope more effectively with their problems in social functioning. And the correctional setting refers to the institutions like jail, probation home, parole home , juvenile shelters etc. where people ( including children ) with unusual behaviour and reaction are placed to bring correction to their attitude and behaviour . In work with institutionalized delinquents and criminals, the case worker has ready access to those who define the social role of inmate and who obsertve the client’s daily role – perfomance . Lets have a look at the some more aspects here.

3. Social Case Work Social case work may be defined as the art of doing different things for and with different people by cooperating with them to achieve at one and the same time their own and society’s betterment – Richmond (1915)

4. Correctional Setting / Correctional Service Correctional setting refers to the institutions like jail, probation home, parole home , juvenile shelters etc. where people ( including children ) with unusual behaviour and reaction are placed to bring correction to their attitude and behaviour . Social work has vast scope for intervention in this field of service. It includes recreational activities , counseling, vocational training for the unemployed criminals, after car service, rehabilitation etc.

5. Social Case Work in Correctional Setting In correctional settings, improvement of social functioning is achieved by means of mobilizing the capacities within the offender. The mobilization of inner capacities and environmental resources is accomplished primarily through the relationship between the caseworker and the client. The relationship, which is established during the period of treatment process, enables the client to work towards a constructive solution of his problems.

6. Types of Treatment Supportive Treatment requires the use of a number of techniques that help the client to improve his functioning within the framework of his established ego mechanisms of defence . Curative Treatment requires the use of different techniques that help the client to improve his functioning through modification of selected ego mechanisms of defence . The outward form of the client’s behaviour and selected internal process are modified.

7. The Relationship In correctional settings, the social caseworker attempts to establish a relationship which, over a period of time. Caseworker keeps the relationship as a realistic one, Using the possible elements in the relationship Motivates and influence the client towards a maximal solution of his problems . Frees the individual to express his feelings Mustering his ego strength Changing his anti-social values and become a law-abiding citizen

8. The Case Work & Case Worker’s Role Casework, however, has a general interest in both the offender and the environment Its goal is to find a means of adjustment and an equilibrium between the two For the successful accomplishment of this task, the caseworker must understand the offender, must understand his capacities and abnormalities he must know the social situation must know its resources and dangers his knowledge must be broad enough to go beyond the offender involved Etc. . .

9. Basic Assumptions There are five basic assumptions underlying casework, which are applicable in helping the offender: 1) Every individual must be seen as a person of dignity and worth. 2) Behaviour , whether acceptable or unacceptable to the community, expresses a need of the individual. 3) An individual can and will change his behaviour if the right help is given at the right time and in the right amount.

10. 4) If the offer of help is given before the problem becomes seriously aggravated, the response is likely to be better. 5) The family is the most influential force in the development of personality in the crucial early years. In attaining both immediate and ultimate goals, three fundamental processes are seen interplaying at every point, the use of the resources, assisting the offender to understand his needs and possibilities; and helping him to develop the ability to work out his own social programme through the use of available resources.

11. Conclusion Here we come through the basics of the topic – Social case work with Correctional settings. We learned about the institutions which coming under the correctional settings. In correctional settings, improvement of social functioning is achieved by means of mobilizing the capacities within the offender. The rapport creating between the case worker and the client ( offender ) helps them to ventilate their issues and can improve his or her social functioning after the certain punishment period. Caseworker’s goal is to find a means of adjustment and an equilibrium between the offender and the environment

12. References Dr. V. V. Devasia,2008, Social Work in Correctional Settings, IGNOU