Social Work Meets the Criminal Justice System: 6 Ways Social Workers Aid The Criminal Justice System

 

1) Law Enforcement: Social Workers partner up with police officers to engage in community policing, which emphasizes problem-solving, partnerships, prevention, and organizational change with efforts to improve the relationship between police and the public (DiNitto & McNeece p. 314).

• Social work roles and responsibilities involve going with the police on initial calls, or on their own the following day to provide case-management services (referral, assessment, interim services, emotional support to victims, follow up visits to home, counseling and development of service plans). (DiNitto & McNeece p. 314-315)

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2) The courts: In this area, social workers mainly work in pre-trail diversion services, the preparation of pre-sentence investigations, and in victim and witness assistance programs.

• Pre-trial Services: Social Workers work with defendants to make sure they are fulfilling the conditions of their contract to avoid facing formal prosecution. Social Workers utilize their case management, counseling skills, knowledge of special populations and an ecological perspective to aid them in this work (DiNitto & McNeece p. 317).

 

• Victim & Witness Assistance Program: In this area, social workers provide a range of services including crisis counseling; Trauma assessment; referrals to address immediate needs related to safety, shelter, and transportation, orientation to the judicial process; follow-up visits, and referrals to social service agencies for long-term needs (DiNitto & McNeece p. 318).

 

• Specialized Courts- A new and developing area for social work employment, includes working with defendants with persistent problems (drug-related charges or charges involving mental health or domestic violence) that contribute to their involvement in the criminal justice system. For example, social workers can work in death penalty mitigation investigations, in which they provide the jury with information about the client’s life history so that they might consider the punishment of life in prison without the benefit of parole rather than the death penalty. (DiNitto & McNeece p. 318)
  

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3) Corrections:  Social workers may take on a variety roles within correctional facilities depending on their degree; social workers with an undergraduate degree may be employed as corrections counselor, in which they conduct assessments, provide information about adjusting to the facility, engage in crisis intervention, participate in mediation and assist with problem resolution, provide short-term counseling and group work, advocate adequate services and treatment & promote safety and security by heling minimize tension and participating in inmate housing placement decisions (DiNitto & McNeece p. 321).

• Social workers might also provide education and treatment in a specific area, such as drug and alcohol abuse counseling. (DiNitto & McNeece p. 321)

• Social workers might also work with prisoners in planning and assisting them with their re-entry to the community (DiNitto & McNeece p. 322)
  

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4) Alternatives to Incarceration:

• Social workers may work alongside probation and parole officers in correctional supervision to ensure these individuals are doing their best so that their charges comply with both standard and special conditions of probation or parole (DiNitto & McNeece p. 322).

• (some are social workers) Officer duties include visiting probationers & parolee’s homes or employment sites, developing service plans reviewing requirement plans with clients, assisting with drug testing, making arrests when violations occur, & encouraging clients to make positive life changes (DiNitto & McNeece p. 323).
  

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5) Juvenile Justice System:  

• Much of the work social workers do within the juvenile justice system occurs at the stage of prevention and diversion and in probation. Social workers are employed in community based agencies or group homes, where they provide services such as assessment, case management, and individual and group counseling for youths (DiNitto & McNeece p. 328).

 

• They are also employed in detention facilities, providing mental health and other counseling or treatment services for youth who are detained or serving sentences (DiNitto & McNeece p. 328).
  

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6) Unique Contributions to work in the Criminal Justice System  

• Social Workers possess a different set of skills & knowledge that provide them with a different way of viewing & working within the criminal justice system. Social work is based on the philosophy of self-determination and the belief that people can change for the better. Rather than operating from a controlling and authoritative position, social workers provide care & treatment to clients in a non-judgmental way such that they seek to empower, understand, and assist their clients in yielding the best possible outcomes even in the worst conditions. Social work aims to move towards a justice system that is rehabilitative and restorative rather than one focused on punishment and retribution (DiNitto & McNeece p. 331).

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References 

DiNitto, D., & McNeece, C. (2008). Social work: Issues and opportunities in a challenging profession (3rd ed.). Chicago, IL: Lyceum Books.

5 Facts about Prison Re-entry You Never Knew!

“Re-entry” is the term used to describe the process prisoners face regarding integration back into society after being released from prison or jail. This transition from incarceration to community is often difficult for ex-convicts for a wide range of reasons, and programs to assist them in effective reintegration are vital to their success as productive members of society. Here are some surprising facts about the plethora of problems these individuals must overcome after being released, and why it is so important to help them during these times.

1. Over 10,000 people are released from federal and state prisons each week in the US.

Often times we forget that nearly 95% of all federal and state prisoners will eventually be released back to their communities. Out of everyone convicted of a federal crime in 2013, only 0.4% of offenders were given either a life sentence without parole or were sentenced for so many years that it was virtually a life sentence. These figures are often forgotten in America, and programs and services to help individuals transition from being in a prison to being productive within their community are often scarce.

2. Sadly, within 3 years of being released nearly 2/3 of ex-prisoners may be arrested again.

Without proper services to help them get back on their feet and many roadblocks in the way, many of these individuals are forced into difficult situations in order to support themselves. Many states ban anyone with a felony drug conviction from accessing food stamps and welfare, and in some public housing units tenants are banned from allowing relatives with past convictions from entering their home. Additionally, because most employers are allowed to inquire about past arrests and convictions within the initial application, getting even an interview for a job can be very difficult.

3. Nearly 3/4 of prisoners being released have a history of substance use disorders.

A 2004 study found a diagnosable drug abuse or dependence disorder in 53% of state prisoners and in 45% of federal prisoners. However, of those meeting the DSM criteria for a dependence or abuse disorder, only between 7% to 17% of prisoners receive any treatment while incarcerated.

4. More than 50% of confined juveniles have not completed eighth grade.

More than 2/3 of juveniles in custody reported wanted to pursue higher education. However, after release about 66% of youths do not return to school. These youths need programs and policies help them get back to their education, because school attendance and school involvement have been repeatedly shown by research to be protective factors against delinquency in both the short term and long term.

5. Nearly 2/3 of parolees sent back to prison are reincarcerated due to parole violations.

Only about 50% of adults exiting parole in 2013 had actually completed their parole sentence. The other half exited parole because they were sent back to prison, absconded, etc. The overall rate of parolees sent back to prison has remained stable since 2012.

Works Cited

“Life Sentences in the Federal System.” Life Sentences in the Federal System. United States Sentencing Commission, Feb. 2015. Web. 19 Feb. 2016.

“Probation and Parole in the United States, 2013.” Probation and Parole in the United States, 2013. U.S. Department of Justice, Oct. 2014. Web. 19 Feb. 2016.

“Reentry Facts & Trends.” NRRC Facts & Trends. CSG Justice Center. Web. 21 Feb. 2016.

“Reentry Myth Buster! On Youth Access to Education upon Reentry.” Reentry Myth Buster! Federal Interagency Reentry Council. Web. 19 Feb. 2016.

“USDOJ: FBCI: Prisoners and Prisoner Re-Entry.” USDOJ: FBCI: Prisoners and Prisoner Re-Entry. Web. 19 Feb. 2016

5 Fast Facts about the U.S. Prison System

As told by Orange is the New Black

By: Eliza Adler

1. 66% of people that get out of prison return (Jeff Pryor, 2/18/16)

2. 2 million Americans are under some form of correctional supervision (Class lecture, 2/16/16)

3. 40% of people who are incarcerated have a mental health issue (Jeff Pryor, 2/18/16)

4. The prison population has grown more than 370% since 1970 (Pyle and Gilmore, 2005. Page 3)

5. 75% of people who are incarcerated have a substance abuse problem (Jeff Pryor, 2/18/16)

 

 

 

 

It’s All About the $ $ $: Mass Incarceration in the United States

By: Mindy Barnes

 

According to DiNitto and McNeece, “[t]he United States currently incarcerates more of its residents per capita than any other nation in the world” (2008, p. 320). There are more prisons in the United States than there are Walmarts (Ahrens, Pyle, & Gilmore, 2008, p. 4). Inhabiting these prisons and under other forms of correctional supervision are 7.2 million Americans (John Vassello, 02/16/2016, Class PowerPoint). Of those incarcerated, about 75% have a substance abuse disorder and 40% are mentally ill (Jeff Pryor, 02/18/2016, Guest Lecture). These last two statistics do not matter though, because the prison industrial complex in the United States is all about the money. As Ahrens, Pyle and Gilmore put it, “[t]hese prisoners are now seen as an economic opportunity” (2008, p. 4). Let me show you how:

 

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#1. Between 1980 and 1993, spending on federal programs such as employment and training had been cut nearly in half…but spending on corrections went up by 521%! (Jones & Mauer, 2013, p. 47). There are neighborhoods, like Brooklyn, NY, where the government is spending over $1,000,000 on imprisonment instead of on helping to uplift the community (Ahrens, Pyle, & Gilmore, 2008, p. 15).

 

#2. The Crime Bill of 1994 allowed the government to spend $8 billion on building new prisons, $8.8 billion for policing, $1.8 billion for incarcerating “illegal aliens”, and completely erased federal Pell grants for education in prison, all while social welfare programs continued to be cut (Jones & Mauer, 2013, p. 63).

 

#3. Even with the massive amounts of prisons being built (a great deal being private prisons), many are overcrowded. As a result, some prisons will rent out their beds. Sanilac County, MI, for example, hoped to get about $900,000 from renting beds (Ahrens, Pyle, & Gilmore, 2008, p. 6-7).

 

#4. Prisons are sold as a way to generate income in poor towns. In reality, about 80% of the jobs created by a new prison are filled by people who do not live in the prison town. Prisons also tend to buy supplies from warehouses instead of local businesses, and local business are actually pushed out by the chain stores prison towns attract (Ahrens, Pyle, & Gilmore, 2008, p. 10-11).

 

#5. Finally, it costs on average $50,000 to imprison one inmate for one year (Jeff Pryor, 02/18/2016, Guest Lecture). This is more than double the poverty level for a family of four. It is also more than it costs for a year at most colleges and more than it would cost for a rehabilitation program. So, explain to me how mass incarceration is socially and economically the right choice?

 

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What it really comes down to is this: mass incarceration is about profit and punishment, not justice or rehabilitation. A good majority of the imprisoned individuals have been incarcerated simply as a result of their poor socioeconomic status (Jones & Mauer, 2013, p. 40). For example, crack, which is a cheaper version of powdered cocaine and typically found in lower-income communities, has a much harsher punishment in that it could take up to 100 times the amount of powdered cocaine to receive the same sentence you’d get for crack (Jones & Mauer, 2013, p. 71). Also, “[p]eople of color are disproportionately represented behind bars and make up 65 percent of the prison population (Harrison & Beck, 2004)” (DiNitto & McNeece, 2008, p. 312). This isn’t justice but oppression. Forensic social workers have the tough job of advocating on the behalf of these stigmatized individuals. But no matter at what level of the criminal justice system they work (law enforcement, courts, or corrections), it is important to understand how these larger systemic issues affect the lives of not just the incarcerated, but their families as well (DiNitto & McNeece, 2008). Social workers–and everyone else for that matter–should also remember that “criminals” are people, too.

 

Sources:

Ahrens, L., Pyle, K., & Gilmore, G. (2008). Prison town: paying the price. Oakland, CA: PM Press.

DiNitto, D., & McNeece, C. (2008). Social work: Issues and opportunities in a challenging profession (3rd ed.). Chicago, IL: Lyceum Books.

Jones, S., & Mauer, M. (2013). Race to incarcerate: A graphic retelling. New York: The New Press.

Pryor, Jeff. Guest Lecture, February 18, 2016.

Vassello, John. Class PowerPoint, February 16, 2016.

Shocking Statistics about Corrections and Social Work- Julie S.

The incarceration rate in the United States began to rise in the early 1970’s and since has become the highest rate in the world. There are “730 prisoners for every 100,000 citizens”(Jones & Mauer, 2013, p.3). Here are a few shocking statistics about incarceration and forensic social work featuring the television series Orange is the New Black.

As guest speaker Jeff Pryor mentioned in his presentation this week, everyone is just one bad choice away from incarceration. “The most common form of correctional supervision in the United States is probation” (DiNitto & McNeece, 2008, p. 322). Other alternatives to incarceration are parole which requires some time in prison and then restrictions after release into the community (323). “7.2 Americans are under some form of correctional supervision” (Class Notes Week 4).

The Pennsylvania and Auburn model of New York in 1829 were some of the few ideas emphasizing solitary confinement and extreme restrictions of the imprisoned. Charles Dickens noted that this type of system is not one offering reformation, rather dehumanization (Jones & Mauer, 2013, p. 7-9). This system of punitive action towards the incarcerated does not allow for progressive change after release.

The average re-entry rate after a prisoner’s release is about 50%. This is perhaps the biggest indicator of the failure of our current system. It is very clear that when prisoners are released, many have no resources to restart their life and most lack the ability to receive a job, federal food programs, and even housing. Therefore, the only place for released prisoners to have a meal and a place to sleep is back in jail.

The three strikes law passed under Clinton’s administration requires life without parole after the third violent felony. Yet it’s effectiveness is debatable among the states. Also, many debate the fairness of mandatory sentencing and its impact when “36% of incarcerated drug offenders were low level, had limited criminal histories, were non-violent and had minimal role in their offenses. They are one-fifth of the federal prison population” according to Janet Reno’s study (Jones & Mauer, 2013, p. 61).

“When women go to prison, over 70 percent of them leave behind children under age eighteen” (DiNitto & McNee, 2008, p. 313). In 2003, President Bush addressed implementing a mentoring program for the children of prisoners in his State of the Union Address (Jones & Mauer, 2013).

“People of color are disproportionately represented behind bars and makeup 65 percent of the prison population. The lifetime likelihood of going to prison is 28 percent for black men, 16 percent for Hispanic men, and just over 4 percent for white men” (DiNitto & Mcnee, 2008, p.312).

“About 16 percent of male and 23 percent of female jail inmates have been identified as mentally ill. Many incarcerated individuals need treatment for co-occurring disorders” (Dinitto & McNeece, 2008,p.312). The defunding of mental health institutions under the Regan Administration resulted in an extreme amount of untreated patients without resources for care. As a result, many are found committing crimes and therefore incarcerated.

Coercion is never a true reformative method of change for anyone, especially when crime is often a response to social conditions.Therefore, the role of a Social Worker in Forensics is to provide resources and an ecological perspective for the client. Methods such as restorative justice allow clients to help themselves and provide rehabilitation rather  than punitive deterrence in prison. Of course, the possibility of re-entry is always a significant motivator in lifestyle changes. Jeff noted that in his program, ABLE, there is an 82% success rate of preventing re-entry after release (Pryor).

Jones, S., & Mauer, Marc. (2013). Race to incarcerate a graphic retelling. New York: The New Press

DiNitto, D., & McNeece, Carl Aaron. (2008). Social work : Issues and opportunities in a challenging profession (3rd ed.). Chicago, Ill.: Lyceum Books.

A Timeline of the Forensic System From 1800-2000’s-Carly Danowitz

1800’s: The penitentiary was first developed in Philadelphia by the Quakers so the criminals could reflect on the errors of their ways. Those who had money paid for lesser offenses, and those who could not afford it faced public whippings and stocks. Later, imprisonment became more humane, where criminals were kept in solitary, with only their work and the bible. (Jones and Mauer, 2013, Race to Incarcerate)

 

 

1960’s: The 60’s were a time of social upheaval because of the prison reform movement’s want for “deinstitutionalization.” This was a period of rising crime rates because of the coming of age for baby boomers, a heroin epidemic, and rapid urbanization. There was a 10% decline in prison populations. Rehabilitation was challenged by conservatives, who were influenced by George Jackson, and liberals, who wanted to change the coercion of personal transformation, and this caused rising crime rates. By 1968, 72% of Americans thought the goal of prison should be rehabilitation. (Jones and Mauer, 2013, Race to Incarcerate)

 

 

1970’s: In the early 70’s, the number of prisoners began to rise. Also in this time period, there was a wave of building and filling prisons, and the growth of prisons became the norm. The “Race to Incarcerate” officially began in the year 1973, when the populations of prisons were rising. There was also a rise in cocaine use. This was a period of increasing crime rates. Some states made laws in regards to guns. For example, in 1975, Massachusetts passed a law mandating 1 year in prison for carrying an unlicensed gun, and in 1977 Michigan passed a paw requiring 2 years in prison for use of a gun in a felony. (Jones and Mauer, 2013, Race to Incarcerate)

 

 

1980’s: In the early parts of this time period, crime rates began to decrease, but increased in the mid-80’s into the 1990’s. There was also a rise in crack cocaine use. In 1980, when Ronald Reagan was elected president, there was a solidified shift to the right. Within his term, the Federal Sentencing Act of 1984 was made, and was designed to reduce disparity. This established the Federal Sentencing Commission. In the year 1988, the Anti-Drug Abuse Act was planned to make a drug-free America by the year 1995. (Jones and Mauer, 2013, Race to Incarcerate)

 

1990’s: At this time, crime rates were decreasing because the economic boom brought more jobs. As the crime rates dropped, many politicians wanted to take the credit. In 1992, half of all people sentenced to federal prisons were drug traffickers, and of these people, African Americans made up 36% of these arrests. As George H. W. Bush took the presidency, he had a justice department, which was committed to harsher policies and put together the Crime Bill of 1994. This Crime Bill gave money for prison building, policing, incarceration of “illegal aliens,” and prevention programs. (Jones and Mauer, 2013, Race to Incarcerate)

 

 

2000’s: By this time period, more than half the states enacted reforms to sentencing for drug policy. When the second George Bush came to office, he called for mentoring programs to aid re-entry into society, made more moves toward the death penalty, mainly because of attorney general John Ashcroft), and federal prison populations grew exponentially, yet crime rates decreased. In 2005, the Supreme Court ruled that federal sentencing guidelines should not be mandatory; rather, they should be advisory. (Jones and Mauer, 2013, Race to Incarcerate)

 

References:

Jones, S., & Mauer, M. (2013). Race to incarcerate: A graphic retelling. New York: The New Press.

 

9 Surprising Statistics about the Justice System Social Workers MUST know

1. Over 70% of women who go to prison, will be forced to leave their children, under the age of 18 behind! This is something social workers need to keep in mind. These children (and women) need support systems and assistance dealing with this harsh transition. (DiNitto & McNeece, 2008, p. 313)

2. In 2003 there were over 4 million people on probation. This means, that at any moment, nearly 4 million people are one violation away from returning to an incarcerated setting. (DiNitto & McNeece, 2008, p. 322)

3. Of the 17,000 people that complete drug court a year, 16% will be arrested within the first year for a serious crime, and that number increases to 28% the second year! It’s important for social workers to remember that the intervention should not stop the day drug court ends. Addiction is a lifelong illness that needs constant upkeep! (DiNitto & McNeece, 2008, p. 318)

4. 65% of the prison population are people of color. This is incredibly disproportionate and something that should raise eyebrows to social workers. We are working with oppressed populations! (DiNitto & McNeece, 2008, p. 312)

5. Black men have a 28% chance of going to prison in their lifetime, whereas white men only have a 4% chance. This is another clear representation that there are racial influences in the justice system, unfortunately. Social workers need to keep it in mind, and advocate for social justice for all. (DiNitto & McNeece, 2008, p. 312)

6. In 2009, there was approximately 356,000 inmates with a serious mental illness.  This is 10 (yes 10!) times the rate of people who are in state mental hospitals. (Torrey et Al, 2014)

7. At Riker’s Island, the average inmate stays approximately 42 days. BUT, the average stay for an inmate with a mental illness at Rikers…? 215 days. As social workers, we should be identifying these people, and helping them.  (Torrey et Al ,2014)

8. 77% of all attempted suicides in prisons and jails are committed by mentally ill inmates & nearly half of all completed suicides are committed by mentally ill inmates. Again, we should be providing better services to these people! (Torrey at Al, 2014)

9. 20 MILLION people ages 12+ were victims of crime in 2009 alone. This is, sadly, a huge amount of people. (J. Vassello, personal communication, February 16, 2016)

 

 

 

Sources:

DiNitto, D., & McNeece, C. (2008). Social work: Issues and opportunities in a

challenging profession (3rd ed.). Chicago, IL: Lyceum Books

Torrey EF, Zdanowicz MT, Kennard AD et al. The treatment of persons with mental illness in prisons and jails: A state survey. Arlington, VA, Treatment Advocacy Center, April 8, 2014.

Vassello, John. Personal communication, February 16, 2016