Program of Psychotherapy for Inmates at the Montana State Prison

Abstract

A program of psychotherapy provided by the Department of Psychology to inmates at the Montana State Prison is described. Graduate students are used as therapists in group and individual therapy sessions. About 25% of the prison population of 250 men is serviced by 2 graduate students who visit the institution twice a week and by 3 faculty consultants who participate in the program approximately once a month. Success of the program as measured by inmates' attendance at the voluntary meetings and by the perceived attitude change of the correctional officers toward the therapists indicates that the program is having a positive effect on the institution.