Clinical and Correctional Considerations when Treating Offenders

Various populations in the criminal justice system have specific needs that require treatment to be modified if those needs are to be met. This is in line with the recognition that the cultural and ethnic composition of the population of offenders is skewed and different from that of the rest of society. For instance, there is a disproportionate representation of African-Americans and people with mental illness in community supervision programs, prisons, and jails (Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, 2005). This could be as a result of resource deprivation, social disintegration, violent cultural orientation or social isolation. In order for their specified needs to be met, it is important to determine the modifications required in the treatment, which can be done through a thorough initial assessment of the client. In the event of modified treatment, it is also necessary that an explanation of the different types of modified treatments be provided to the client based on their relationship to the dominant identity that they belong to socially. These dominant identities may include sex offenders, violent offenders, lesbian, gay and bisexual offenders, older adults, men, women, clients with co-occurring substance use or mental disorders, clients with sensory and physical disabilities, and clients with infectious diseases (Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, 2005).

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