SW 250 at Binghamton University

Skip to content
  • Home
  • About SW 250

SW 250 at Binghamton University

Public & Social Service Practice

Skip to content
  • Home
  • About SW 250

Categories

  • Social Work
  • Week 10: School Social Work
  • Week 11: Disabilities
  • Week 12: Mental Health
  • Week 13: Older Adults & End of Life
  • Week 1: Introduction
  • Week 2: Social Work with Organizations, Communities, & Larger Systems
  • Week 3: Intimate Partner Violence
  • Week 4: Forensic Social Work
  • Week 5: Poverty and Homelessness
  • Week 6: Health Care
  • Week 7: Military Social Work
  • Week 8: Substance Use
  • Week 9: Child Welfare

Recent Authors

  • abbabbxo
    • Things to Remember About Death, Dying, and Social Work.
    • Social Work Models Used with Disabilities
    • 5 Challenges School Social Workers Face
    • Clearing Up Misconceptions about Child Welfare Social Work
    • Things You Might Not Know About Addictions And Social Work
    • Services Provided by Military Social Workers
    • Things to Remember When Writing A DAP
    • 8 Facts and Statistics Surrounding Homelessness
    • 5 Crucial Things that Social Workers can Contribute to the Criminal Justice System
    • 4 Signs They’re Not Your True Valentine (The Cycle of IPV)
  • acasti14
    • Gerontological Social Work
    • Mental Health
    • A Tough Road for Tough People
    • 4 Things to Know About School Social Work
    • Social Work with Children
    • The Complexity of Substance Abuse
    • Social Work in the Military
    • Development of Social Work in Health Care
    • Poverty in the United States
    • A Broken System
  • agentofchange17
    • 5 Things to Keep in Mind When Providing Hospice Care
    • Understanding Mental Health Through the Lens of the Medical/Disease, Psychological/Behavior and Social/Environmental Model
    • 10 Successful and Widely Recognized People with Disabilities
    • The Different Uses of BSW & MSW Social Workers in Providing Child Welfare Services
    • 10 Things You May Not Have Known About Substance Abuse in The Context of LGBT Health
    • From the Outside Looking in: Life as told by War Veterans
    • The Inside Scope of Social Workers in Health Care as Told by 7 Different Accounts
    • Why Are People Poor? Explained Through Three Theoretical Perspectives
    • Social Work Meets the Criminal Justice System: 6 Ways Social Workers Aid The Criminal Justice System
    • Identifying Barriers to Domestic Violence Screening, Detection, & Disclosure
  • allisondashow
    • 6 Shocking Facts about Mental Health
    • Charlie Kramer’s Helpful Tips for Becoming a Social Worker
    • What you should know and are about to know about school social work!!!
    • 5 Facts Revealing the Truth behind Child Welfare and Social Work
    • 5 Facts You Should Know About Substance Use & Abuse in the Social Work Field
    • 5 Things You Need To Know About Military Social Work – Allie Dashow
    • 5 Setting that Social Workers Work in within the Health-Care Setting – Allie Dashow
    • The Three Perspectives on Poverty in the U.S. Which do you agree with? – Allie Dashow
    • 5 Facts You Should Know About The Juvenile Justice System – Allie Dashow
    • 8 Important Facts about IPV that you may Not Know – Allie Dashow
  • brianakjones
    • 4 Facts About Aging and the Elderly
    • 3 Social Work Skills According to Charlie Kramer
    • 3 Things School Social Workers Want You to Know
    • How to Be a Successful Motivational Interviewer
    • 4 Ways Social Workers Approach Health Care
    • 4 Concerns Social Workers Have About Poverty
    • 5 OITNB Reactions to Prison Statistics
    • 5 Questions You Might Have About IPV
    • 4 Helpful Leadership Tips from 4 Awesome People
    • 8 Things You Did Not Know About Social Work
  • bugilda
    • 5 Things You Might Not Know About End of Life Social Work (featuring the cast of Golden Girls)- by Gilda Goldental-Stoecker
    • Mental Illness Facts
    • Social Work and Disabilities- By Gilda Goldental-Stoecker
    • Seven School Social Work Facts (as told by Dance Moms) by Gilda Goldental-Stoecker
    • 5 Reasons Child Welfare Social Work Matters by Gilda Goldental-Stoecker
    • 8 Facts on Substance Abuse Social Work- By Gilda Goldental-Stoecker
    • 8 Facts on the Military and Military Social Work by Gilda Goldental-Stoecker
    • 9 Facts on Forensic Social Work and the Criminal Justice System
    • 8 Startling Statistics on Intimate Partner Violence by Gilda Goldental-Stoecker
    • 8 Facts on Social Work Intervention and Leadership – Gilda Goldental-Stoecker
  • ccabrer3
    • 6 Facts about Social Workers in Hospice and Palliative Care
    • Facts about mental health as well as types of mental health issues
    • 6 Common Disabilities amongst children
    • 6 Facts about school Social Work
    • 6 Facts about Child Welfare
    • 6 Facts about Substance Abuse
    • 4 Ways a Social Worker can be Beneficial to a Veteran
    • 6 Facts about Oncology Social Work
    • 7 Facts about Poverty!
    • 6 Facts about Mental Health in Correctional Facilities
  • cdanowi1
    • 5 Facts About End of Life Care-Carly Danowitz
    • 8 Facts About Mental Health You Wanna Know Now! -Carly Danowitz
    • 6 Definitions of Disabilities-Carly Danowitz
    • What do School Social Workers do?- Carly Danowitz
    • The Treatment Approaches to Substance Abuse-Carly Danowitz
    • 8 Facts About Military Social Work You Need to Know Right Now-Carly Danowitz
    • 7 Ways Social Workers Work in Health Care- Carly Danowitz
    • 6 Facts You Need to Know About Poverty-Carly Danowitz
    • A Timeline of the Forensic System From 1800-2000’s-Carly Danowitz
    • 6 Facts About IPV, You May Not Know-Carly Danowitz
  • dmontes3blog
    • 6 Important Facts to Know about Social Work with the Elderly and Terminally Ill
    • 6 Ways in which Social Workers assist those in need of Mental Health Services
    • 6 ways in which social workers can help fight the challenges faced by those with disabilities
    • 6 Important Facts to Know about School Social Work
    • 6 Reasons Why Social Work with Children is Important
    • 6 Ways to Combat Substance Use Disorders
    • 6 Important Facts to know about the role of Military Social Work
    • 6 Reasons Why Social Work is Beneficial to Health Care
    • 7 Important Facts to Know about the History of Poverty
    • 6 Reasons why reforms should be made to the American prison system
  • elizaradler
    • A Day in the Life of a School Social Worker
    • Military Social Work in 4 Different Countries
    • 6 Things That Happen When You Become Elderly
    • 6 Facts about Mental Health in the US
    • A Day in the Life of a Social Worker in the Disabilities Field (Toni Murphy)
    • The 6 Stages in the Stages of Change Model
    • 6 Health Care Job Settings for Social Workers that You Need to Know About Now!
    • Fast Facts: What are Income Maintenance Benefit Programs in the US?
    • 5 Fast Facts about the U.S. Prison System
    • 12 Warning Signs of Intimate Partner Violence
  • epangan1
    • 4 Reasons Why More Gerontological Social Workers are Needed by Emily Panganiban
    • 6 Factors Social Workers Consider in Treating Mental Illness by Emily Panganiban
    • 6 Ways Social Workers Serve Those with Disabilities by Emily Panganiban
    • 4 Ways School Social Workers Benefit Students by Emily Panganiban
    • 4 Difficulties in Child Welfare by Emily Panganiban
    • 4 Reasons Why More Education on Addiction and Substance Abuse in Social Work Courses is Needed by Emily Panganiban
    • 4 Reasons Why Social Workers are Beneficial to People in the Military by Emily Panganiban
    • 4 Reasons Why Social Workers Are Important in Healthcare Settings by Emily Panganiban
    • 5 Reasons why you Should Care about Poverty and the Homeless by Emily Panganiban
    • 5 Reasons Why Incarceration is not the Solution by Emily Panganiban
  • jalto1
    • Getting Old (Inspired by Spongebob)
    • Social Work and Mental Health
    • Social Work with People with Disabilities
    • What does a School Social Worker Do?
    • Substance Abuse and how Social Workers Make Positive Impacts
    • How Social Workers Make Positive Impacts on People in the Military
    • 8 Holistic Facts about Healthcare Social Work
    • 8 Humbling Facts About Homelessness
    • 6 Shocking Facts about Leadership in the Social Work World
  • jennposner
    • The Top 5 Older Adults FAQs
    • Some of the “Did you Knows” About Mental Health
    • 10 Fun Facts About Social Work & Disabilities
    • INSIDE CHILD WELFARE
    • Social Work and the Forgotten Field of Substance Use and Abuse
    • Inside Military Social Work
    • 10 Things About Social Work in Health Care
    • Can You Make it Living on the Streets?
    • THE JUSTICE SYSTEM BEHIND BARS: 10 Shocking Facts About the Prison System Today!
    • “IPV, IT’S SILENT AND DEADLY!”
  • John Social
    • Welcome to SW250: Public & Social Service Practice
  • jsessle1
    • Top Ten Terms To Know About Mental Health- Julie S.
    • 5 Things Social Workers NEED to Know about Willowbrook – Julie S.
    • A Day in the Life of School Social Workers – Julie S.
    • Social Work and the Life of a Foster Kid – Julie S.
    • Seven Facts about Substance Abuse and Social Workers – Julie S.
    • Helping the Walking Wounded- Julie S.
    • Major Matters from This Week’s Lessons on Medical Social Work – Julie S.
    • Poverty and Homelessness ft. Humans of New York-Julie S.
    • Shocking Statistics about Corrections and Social Work- Julie S.
    • Testimonies and Tips on IPV-Julie S.
  • kmulvena
    • 10 Things the Public Does Not Know About Social Workers! Kristen Mulvena
  • ldadino1
    • 5 Unique Facts About Rural Social Work!
    • 6 Things You Didn’t Know About Hospice
    • 4 Tips For Motivationally Interviewing Patients With Mental Illness
    • 5 Things Charlie Kramer Feels Are Important When Working with People With Disabilities
    • 5 Things You Didn’t Know About School Social Work
    • 5 Facts About Foster Kids
    • 5 Facts About Substance Abusers
    • 9617
    • 6 Interesting Facts About Vets
    • 7 Duties of a Medical Social Worker
  • loquaciouslauryn
    • The Stages of Grief: As Told by Kuebler-Ross and our Guest Speaker
    • 5 Treatment Plans for Mental Health Problems
    • 5 Reasons for Bad Attendance and 5 Ways a Social Worker Can Help a Client Fight It
    • 5 Ways The Promise Zone is Supporting Positive Child Welfare
    • 4 Ways Merrit Uses Social Work to Heal the Soul of Someone with Substance Abuse.
    • 4 Breakthroughs about PTSD Treatment You Didn’t Know About as Told By Guest Lecturer Connie Studgeon
    • 5 Aspects of Social Work in Health Care You Didn’t Really Know About.
    • 6 Statements that Will Shock You about Poverty in America
    • 5 Reasons I am Disappointed in Our Current Prison System
    • 5 Statistics You Didn’t Know About IPV That’ll Break Your Heart.
  • marisabordowitz
    • Older Adults NEED Social Work and Here’s Why!
    • What EVERYONE Should Know About Mental Illness
    • The Role of Social Workers in Chronic Illness and Disability Care
    • Facts About School Social Work and HOW to be an effective school social worker
    • REASONS SOCIAL WORKERS ARE NEEDED IN THE REALM OF CHILD WELFARE
    • The Horrors of Substance Abuse and Where Social Workers Come In
    • The Truth About the Walking Wounded and Military Social Work
    • 7 Facts About Social Work Practice in Health Care Settings
    • THE TRUTH ABOUT HOMELESSNESS AND POVERTY IN THE U.S
    • THE TRUTH ABOUT PRISON, ARRESTS & RE-ENTRY: 6 FACTS
  • megtomasch
    • 5 Surprising Facts About Gerontological Social Work
    • Society and the Mentally Ill
    • The 3 Levels of Social Work with Disabilities
    • 3 Ways School Social Workers Advocate for Students
    • Child Welfare Systems
    • 6 (of the many) Different Types of Addictions
    • Reacting to Vets and Their Stories as Told by Connie Studgeon
    • Call to Action: Health Literacy Promotion in Medical Social Work
    • Poverty Here in Binghamton, NY
    • 5 Things We Do To People Re-Entering Society After Prison That Are Just Plain Wrong
  • mindysw250
    • Judy MacDonald Johnston’s 5 Step Plan to Die Well
    • Social Work and Mental Health: Working with Special Groups
    • Advantages and Disadvantages of Being a School Social Worker
    • Four Reasons Why Children Need Social Workers To Be Their Super Heroes
    • Why ALL Social Workers Need To Understand Substance Abuse
    • Six Ways the Vet Center Can Help YOU!
    • 4 Reasons Why Leadership in Social Work is Under Attack Part 2: Social Work in Health Care
    • Homelessness and Healthcare
    • It’s All About the $ $ $: Mass Incarceration in the United States
    • 8 Warning Signs That You May Be In Danger of IPV (Intimate Partner Violence)
  • Maggie Parker
    • 7 Facts About International Social Work You Must Know
    • 9 Things About the Elderly You Should Know
    • 9 Things The Public Should Know About Mental Health
    • 11 Things the Public Does Not Know about Disabilities
    • 10 Facts for Future School Social Workers to Keep in Mind
    • 10 Surprising Facts About Substance Abuse
    • 10 Interesting Facts About Medical Social Work Everybody Needs to Know
    • 12 Shocking Facts about Poverty in the US
    • 9 Surprising Statistics about the Justice System Social Workers MUST know
    • 8 Surprising Facts about IPV/Domestic Violence:
  • mstein14
    • 10 Things You Will Learn About Private Practice
    • Gerontological Social Work
    • Consumer Groups in Mental Health
    • Practice Models within Disabilities
    • School Social Work
    • The Child Welfare System
    • How Social Workers Treat Substance Abuse
    • Comparing Military Social Work Practices
    • The 3 Approaches to Medical Social Work Practice
    • Homelessness from a Strengths-Feminist Perspective
  • nrascio1
    • 10 Facts About Group Therapy!
    • 6 Facts About Older Adults!
    • 7 Facts About Mental Health!
    • 8 Facts About School Social Work!
    • 8 Facts About Child Welfare
    • 9 Facts About Substance Use Disorders
    • Social Work, Veterans, and the Military!
    • The Duties of Social Workers
    • The Culture of Poverty
    • Forensic Social Work: 7 Facts Relating Criminal Justice and Women
  • rachelkeller1
    • 4 Ways Social Work in Health Care is Imperative
    • Six Mind-blowing Facts about Prisons in the U.S.
    • 6 Facts You May Not Know About IPV
    • 5 Reasons Why Leadership in Social Work is More Important than You Think
    • Mental Health and Psychological Problems for the Elderly
    • 6 Facts You Should Know about Mental Illness and Social Work Practice
    • 6 Standards for Social Workers Practicing in Child Welfare
    • The Six Stages of Change As Told By Michael Scott
    • Military Social Work in the United States
    • 5 Myths about Social Work
  • rachelmae94
    • Gerontological Social Work in 8 Quick Facts
    • 8 Quick Facts About Mental Health
    • 7 Facts About School Social Work
    • Child Welfare Social Work
    • 10 Substance Abuse
    • Veterans and Mental Health Needs
    • 8 Facts About Medical Social Work
    • American Homelessness in 10 Fast Facts
    • 5 Facts about Prison Re-entry You Never Knew!
    • 7 Things Everyone Should Know about Intimate Partner Violence
  • sengel2
    • 3 Facts About Poverty and Social Work
    • 3 Facts About Social Work and Child Welfare
    • 3 Facts About Clinical Social Work
    • 3 Facts About Social Workers and Disabilities
    • 3 Facts About Geriatric Social Work
    • 3 Fun Facts About Mental Health Social Work
    • 3 Fun Facts about School Social Work
    • The Six Stages In The Stages of Change Model
    • 4 Awesome Things About Military Social Work As Told By Ferris Beuller’s Day Off
    • A Reflection on IPV
  • stesler2
    • The Journey and Beyond
    • Numbers
    • The Person Behind the Disability
    • Understanding the Role of Social Work in Schools
    • Pill ‘em and Bill ‘em, the Disease of Drug Addiction
    • The War at Home
    • Supporting the Ill
    • Brother, Can you Spare a Dime?
    • The Basics of Intimate Partner Violence
    • Free to Return to Prison
  • theodoreconnelly
    • 7 Things the Public May Not Know About Social Work
  • valerieprotass
    • Helpful Hints and Words of Wisdom from Charlie Kramer
    • What YOU Should Know About School Social Work
    • Why Social Workers Need to Protect Children from Neglect- By Valerie Protass
    • What You Should Know about Substance Use & Misuse- By Valerie Protass
    • Understanding Military Social Work- By Valerie Protass
    • What you Need to Know about Medical Social Work- By Valerie Protass
    • The Truth behind Poverty in the U.S. -Valerie Protass
    • 7 Facts YOU should know about Forensic Social Work-Valerie Protass
    • 8 Facts You Need to know about IPV- By Valerie Protass
    • 7 Fun Facts you want to know about Social Work with Organizations, Communities, and Larger systems -By Valerie Protass

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com

Categories

  • Social Work
  • Week 10: School Social Work
  • Week 11: Disabilities
  • Week 12: Mental Health
  • Week 13: Older Adults & End of Life
  • Week 1: Introduction
  • Week 2: Social Work with Organizations, Communities, & Larger Systems
  • Week 3: Intimate Partner Violence
  • Week 4: Forensic Social Work
  • Week 5: Poverty and Homelessness
  • Week 6: Health Care
  • Week 7: Military Social Work
  • Week 8: Substance Use
  • Week 9: Child Welfare

Facebook

Facebook

Twitter

My Tweets

Instagram

Don’t Forget to Vote Today! #electionday #socialjusticeleague
What a fantastic turnout for our Admitted Student Day 2019! We can’t wait to see you all again at orientation!
What an excellent 2018 Field Appreciation Day! Thanks to field instructor and alumna Heather Sanford MSW ‘12 for her excellent talk on embracing vulnerability and to all the field instructors and community members in attendance!
Happy #superheroday from the Binghamton University #SocialJusticeLeague #socialwork
It’s not yet #selfcaresunday but going through the carwash on a near 60° day in January with THE TUNER is a fun way to take care of yourself and your car! #socialjusticeleague
This cold snap feels like something from a galaxy far, far away... Stay warm on this #selfcaresunday !

Week 4: Forensic Social Work

Leave a comment Posted on February 22, 2016February 22, 2016 by agentofchange17 Social Work, Week 4: Forensic Social Work

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)



 

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)


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)


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).


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).


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).



References 

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

Leave a comment Posted on February 22, 2016 by rachelmae94 Social Work, Week 4: Forensic Social Work

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

Leave a comment Posted on February 22, 2016 by elizaradler Social Work, Week 4: Forensic Social Work

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)

Untitled

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

Undtitled

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

dd

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

Untitfled

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

d

 

 

 

 

Leave a comment Posted on February 21, 2016February 22, 2016 by mindysw250 Social Work, Week 4: Forensic Social Work

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:

 



 

#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?

 



 

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.

Leave a comment Posted on February 20, 2016February 20, 2016 by jsessle1 Social Work, Week 4: Forensic Social Work

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.

886ff0151be8a46b621184fd6e2130e1

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).

Soso_friends

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.

giphy7

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.

orange-is-the-new-black

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).

tumblr_n7sisd5ub91tf3bp1o6_250

“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).

200_s4

“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).

200_s5

“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.

200_s6

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).

tumblr_nqd1cd48u41riae2mo1_500

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.

Leave a comment Posted on February 17, 2016 by cdanowi1 Week 4: Forensic Social Work

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)

 

behind bars

 

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)

 

heroin

 

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)

 

guns

 

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)

cocaine

 

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)

 

full house

 

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)

bush

 

References:

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

 

Leave a comment Posted on February 17, 2016February 17, 2016 by Maggie Parker Social Work, Week 4: Forensic Social Work

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

Blog at WordPress.com.
Cancel
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy