Use for ACT in prison setting

Submitted by Charles Cloninger on December 1, 2009 - 4:30pm
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I am new to this ACT community though using a form of ACT therapy for many years. I have recently come out of retirement because of boredom as well as finances. I find myself in the interesting position of being a Sr.Mental Health Counselor at a state prison.
Does anyone out there have any experience of this therapy being used in such an environment? So far I have been pleased with the success and would like to have comments from others on your experiences.
I've never blogged before so I may have rattled on too long but, please respond if you have a comment.

Chuck

IS there an active Yahoo group for ACT? ›

Using ACT in an Australian prison

Submitted by Joe Buckby on September 13, 2011 - 11:38pm.

Hi Chuck,

I've been using ACT in my prison job for approximately 6 months. I was initially skeptical about how this population would take to it, but I've been pleasantly suprised to get positive results. I have initiated a small mindfulness group where we meet up three times a week and go through a variety of mindfulness activities. This has been really helpful for my clientele who have high levels of impulsivity, poor attention/concentration and chronic histories of trauma. It's a difficult line of work, particularly given the over-representation of personality disorders (e.g. ASPD, BPD). I personally prefer the ACT approach with prison populations. The majority of my clientele don't have strong responsibility taking, so typically react with resistance when asked to challenge pro-criminal thinking patterns. However, by not trying to change their 'wrong' thoughts and focussing upon behaviours/thoughts that are more in line with their personal values, I get better results with less resistance. I would not have believed 12 months ago that I would be getting 60 year old armed robbers to place their hand on their hearts and send compassion to themselves... but here I am!

All the best, Joe.

Visitor to our ACT Program from MSP

Submitted by Kevin Polk on April 3, 2010 - 12:16pm.

Hi Chuck,

I just got a call last week from Margaret of the Maine State Prison (MSP). Her twice-per-week ACT group is going well. She is sending her colleague to visit the Togus PTSD Intensive Outpatient Program (it's all ACT) for a week on April 12th.

When Margaret visited our program in January we mentioned to her that having two people running the program really helps. Not only for running the groups, but for talking about and learning ACT between the groups.

BTW: Margaret and her colleague are starting with a simple 4-Session protocol:

I. Do the Matrix, do a Values routine, and assign homework.
II. Do the Matrix, Review Homework, do the Suffering and Solutions lists, assign homework.
III. Do the Matrix, Review Homework, do Noticing Hooks and What You Do Next, assign homework.
IV. Do the Matrix, Review Homework, do a Bus, assign homework.

Since they are doing two sessions a week, the protocol is completed in two weeks. That makes it easy for them to change the protocol as they become more familiar with ACT routines.

Take care,

Kevin

Kevin L. Polk, Ph.D.
[[www.ACTbyNumbers.com]]

ACT In Groups in Maine State Prison

Submitted by Kevin Polk on March 28, 2010 - 8:40pm.

Hi Mike,

I have trained and then done follow-up with folks who used ACT in Groups in the Maine State Prison.

They use the simple "Matrix" diagram in the groups to get the discussion going.

Given the comments to your post, it seems that ACT in general works well in the prison setting.

Take care,

Kevin

Kevin L. Polk, Ph.D.
www.ACTbyNumbers.com

matrix

Submitted by j michael mcgee on April 3, 2010 - 11:54am.

kevin,

I want to learn more about using the matrix both for my clients within the prison setting and elsewhere. I saw where you are doing a tie -in on line. Unfortunately, those times don't fit for me. Can I buy the program somehow. Do you have any suggestions?

Thanks,
Mike

Re: Use for ACT in prison setting

Submitted by Jen Plumb on December 1, 2009 - 8:07pm.

Hi Chuck,

I know there is a small but dedicated group of folks who do this work. A quick scan through ABCS members who list working at a correctional/prison facility in the US brought up these folks:

http://www.contextualpsychology.org/user/jai_amrod

http://www.contextualpsychology.org/user/mark_babula

http://www.contextualpsychology.org/user/7153

http://www.contextualpsychology.org/user/6015

You an email them through their profile page.

Best of luck!
Jen

ACT with Prison Populations

Submitted by Autopsywoman on December 1, 2010 - 4:44pm.

I'm using ACT in the prison where I am doing my practicum (externship) for my doctorate. I have alot of support from my university professors, particularly my professor in ACT of course. However, I'm not sure that my supervisors in the practicum site are completely sold on the approach. I know that there is empirical support for its efficacy/effectiveness in other populations, but does anyone know of any research for the prison setting? Any backup I can use to justify my continued use (aside from the fact that it seems to be helping my inmates) would be helpful.

Thanks for the contact information in your message as well. I have e-mailed each of these individuals to get their feedback.

Thanks!
Amber Guzman

Act in prison setting

Submitted by j michael mcgee on March 27, 2010 - 10:41am.

I am a new ACT practictioner but have begun using it with some men on my caseload. I have found those who have been in prison before and are older and have capacity for insight, like mindfulness exercises. They also can better understand the notion of surrender verse resistance. I use handouts provided by ACBS. I am excited about the great potential for ACT with this special population. If I just sent this email I apologize. My versatility in that area is also being developed.

Mike in Missouri.

ACT in inmate populations

Submitted by clete on March 28, 2010 - 2:27pm.

Mike,

Used to live in Missouri - graduated from UMSL. My name is Clete Deller and I manage two modified therapeutic communities in the Indian River County Jail (Florida). I was given the opportunity to develop the structure and the content of the community and as a result it is largely CBT-base (I created booklets for all of the classes). Many of my clients "get" CBT at a cognitive level, but are unable to emotionally shift their core beliefs - I have now added ACT to the booklets and this next community (90 days) will be trying some ACT techniques. My primary work is in SUDs and dual diagnosis which often includes Axis I anxiety, depression, manic-depression, borderline, anti-social and PTSD if you are into labels (which I am not). For most of my clients (80%), trauma is a major underlying cause.

Any ideas or comments on how I might expand my knowledge are appreciated. I have read a number of books and watched videos.

Thanks for your ideas.

Clete

Hi there

Submitted by Charles Cloninger on March 27, 2010 - 5:01pm.

Chuck Cloninger

Seems that, for the moment at least, you and I are holding down the fort for "prison ACT therapists"? I was able to avoid leading another "SIB" group this quarter and was instead able to teach a rudimentary course in ACT basics. It was very well received by the IM's and I got a lot of participation and activity out of the group. I have found that I am making good headway with all types of IM's with this therapy. It's pretty no-nonsense and is easy enough for even the MR's to be able to understand it and move with it.

What have your experiences been? What state do you work in and what type of caseload do you have?

Take care,

Chuck

holding down the fort

Submitted by j michael mcgee on March 28, 2010 - 8:26am.

chuck,

Good to hear from you. There is one other ACT person here in the Missouri prison system. But I just learned that yesterday from ACBS list. I am in a diagnositic center. I have a caseload of 50 to 70 IMS. The longer the sentence one has, the longer he stays with me. But ultimately transferref to another facility. The guys I have seem to be desparate for another way to deal with regulating their emotions. And ACT, with its overall approach, offers this. But as I said, I am new to ACT. Any exercises you have found useful , let me know.

Mike