Competencies Addressed in This Discussion

• Competency 1: Analyze environmental adjustment challenges faced by offenders.
• Competency 2: Assess intervention techniques that impact offender’s ability to function within correctional or community-based settings.
• Competency 4: Determine appropriate levels of intervention in corrections or community-based settings.

Introduction

Family dynamics play a huge role in the development of criminal behavior. Antisocial behavior may be reflective of a troubled domestic environment. In turn, a person’s involvement in the criminal justice system can easily destabilize a family.

In prisons, family therapy programs seek to improve interpersonal relationships between the offender and family members. This includes unmarried couples, single-parent households, gay couples, and blended families. While these programs are considered effective, cost and limited resources often preclude their use with incarcerated adults.

In this discussion:

• Discuss the usefulness of family therapy programs with incarcerated offenders and their families.
• Explain the positive aspects as well as the limitations of such family therapy.
• Identify cases in which family therapy would be most effective and least effective.