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Training Staff to Work With Elderly and Disabled Inmates

NCJ Number
141280
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 55 Issue: 1 Dated: (February 1993) Pages: 42,44- 47
Author(s)
J B Morton
Date Published
1993
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article describes the planning, implementation, and curriculum content of the South Carolina Department of Corrections' training seminar designed to improve correctional staff's effectiveness in working with elderly and disabled inmates.
Abstract
The training goals are to enable participants to define elderly and physically disabled inmates; to help participants understand the agency's mission, policies, and approved practices regarding the management of special needs inmates; to sensitize participants to some of the physical and emotional difficulties encountered by older and handicapped inmates; and to help staff identify problems encountered in working with these inmates and develop solutions appropriate for their institutions. The training lasts 5 hours and begins with a warm-up exercise followed by an exploration of the differences among a typical inmate, an older inmate, and a disabled inmate. This portion of the seminar identifies myths and stereotypes of special needs offenders. Next, the seminar discusses the legal mandates for service provision and the agency's policies and practices regarding special needs offenders. The sensory- deprivation exercise is the longest part of the workshop and the key component in sensitizing participants to the problems of older and disabled inmates. Participants simulate various physical disabilities and attempt to perform various routine daily tasks. The final exercise is designed to help participants identify specific issues and problems in their facilities regarding work with older and disabled inmates, followed by discussions of potential solutions. The seminar concludes with a "wrap-up" and evaluation.