Correctional Psychology Practice, Ethical Issues in

Since the mid-1960s, the United States’ social and political wars on crime and drugs have shifted attention away from rehabilitation to increased punishment of offenders. Consequently, among the more than 2 million individuals incarcerated today are many who are mentally ill and addicted to drugs and in need of psychological, psychiatric, and drug addiction treatment. As a result, many U.S. prisons have also become de facto mental health treatment facilities required to respond to increased demands for mental health and drug addiction treatment services.

This demand for treatment has resulted in the increased hiring of clinical and correctional psychologists, counselors, and other treatment providers. Regardless of the focus of their training background, psychologists who are employed to work in corrections agencies and facilities have become known ...