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Mind Your Business: Mind Your Business: Understanding the Prison Understanding the Prison Mindset In Ex-OffendersMindset In Ex-Offenders

Jonathan M. Hartiens, Ph.D.Jonathan M. Hartiens, Ph.D.

Michael D. McCarty, Ph.D.Michael D. McCarty, Ph.D.

Center for Addiction TreatmentCenter for Addiction Treatment

VAMC Martinsburg WVVAMC Martinsburg WV

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How We Got HereHow We Got Here

Center For Addiction Treatment (CAT-5) is a VA residential Center For Addiction Treatment (CAT-5) is a VA residential chemical addiction treatment program; has been working chemical addiction treatment program; has been working with formerly incarcerated veterans (IV) for 8 years.with formerly incarcerated veterans (IV) for 8 years.

Noticed clinical difference between regular substance abuse Noticed clinical difference between regular substance abuse patients and veterans who had been incarcerated.patients and veterans who had been incarcerated.

Began prison group six years ago to learn what these Began prison group six years ago to learn what these differences were related to; patients taught us how they differences were related to; patients taught us how they looked at the world.looked at the world.

Applied for and received a three year grant (2005) to study Applied for and received a three year grant (2005) to study and develop programming to help formerly incarcerated and develop programming to help formerly incarcerated veterans transition into the community.veterans transition into the community.

Identified clinical tools and methods that are replicable and Identified clinical tools and methods that are replicable and useable in other settings useable in other settings

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ObjectivesObjectives

Understand the prevalence of the incarcerated population Understand the prevalence of the incarcerated population returning to the workforce community and how addiction is a returning to the workforce community and how addiction is a common roadblock to successful re-entry.common roadblock to successful re-entry.

Discuss elements of the “Prison Mindset” and show how it is Discuss elements of the “Prison Mindset” and show how it is linked to addictive behaviors during community re-entry. linked to addictive behaviors during community re-entry.

Describe how the Prison Mindset, once activated, tends to be Describe how the Prison Mindset, once activated, tends to be expressed in three areas of daily living – work, money, and expressed in three areas of daily living – work, money, and relationships as a way to avoid relapse.relationships as a way to avoid relapse.

Examine several behaviors that ex-offenders typically exhibit Examine several behaviors that ex-offenders typically exhibit

during re-entry process, which can be misinterpreted as during re-entry process, which can be misinterpreted as healthy behaviors but actually sets them up for failure.healthy behaviors but actually sets them up for failure.

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Prevalence of the Prevalence of the IncarceratedIncarcerated11

As of June 30, 2007, there were 2,299,116 As of June 30, 2007, there were 2,299,116 people in federal and state prisons, and local people in federal and state prisons, and local jails or around 10% of the US population. jails or around 10% of the US population.

Racial differences:Racial differences: 4.6% of all black US males are in prison4.6% of all black US males are in prison 1.7% of hispanic US males are in prison1.7% of hispanic US males are in prison .7% of white US males are in prison.7% of white US males are in prison

600,000 released from state/fed prison each 600,000 released from state/fed prison each year into the community. year into the community.

60+% will return to prison in less than three 60+% will return to prison in less than three years! years!

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Prevalence of Substance Abuse Prevalence of Substance Abuse Among The IncarceratedAmong The Incarcerated

Substance Abuse is the most common occurring Substance Abuse is the most common occurring psychiatric disorder among the incarcerated population. It psychiatric disorder among the incarcerated population. It occurs at a much higher rate than the general populationoccurs at a much higher rate than the general population22..

75% of inmates reported substance abuse problems on 75% of inmates reported substance abuse problems on self report measuresself report measures33..

When given a structured diagnostic interview, 95% of When given a structured diagnostic interview, 95% of inmates met criteria for a Substance Use Disorderinmates met criteria for a Substance Use Disorder44..

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Prevalence of Substance Abuse Prevalence of Substance Abuse (Cont’d)(Cont’d)

Of those incarcerated, 64%Of those incarcerated, 64%44 to 70% to 70%55 were acutely were acutely intoxicated with one or more substances or withdrawing intoxicated with one or more substances or withdrawing from them from them at time of arrestat time of arrest..

Of first time offenders, 41% had a history of regular drug Of first time offenders, 41% had a history of regular drug use. This percentage increased to 81% for those with 5 use. This percentage increased to 81% for those with 5 or more convictionsor more convictions66. .

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What Do These Statistics Mean?What Do These Statistics Mean?

Substance Abuse is a Substance Abuse is a significant significant problem among the problem among the incarcerated and is often minimized.incarcerated and is often minimized.

In a majority of cases, substance abuse precedes or In a majority of cases, substance abuse precedes or accompanies criminal behavior.accompanies criminal behavior.

The more often a person is incarcerated, the more likely The more often a person is incarcerated, the more likely substance abuse is part of his/her lifestyle. substance abuse is part of his/her lifestyle.

The more often a person is incarcerated, the more likely it will The more often a person is incarcerated, the more likely it will be for parole violations related to substance abuse rather than be for parole violations related to substance abuse rather than committing a crime.committing a crime.

Recidivism and substance abuse are closely interconnected; Recidivism and substance abuse are closely interconnected; their bond is impacted and further strengthened by length of their bond is impacted and further strengthened by length of incarceration. These factors foster in ex-offenders a incarceration. These factors foster in ex-offenders a worldviewworldview that is highly resistant to change called “The Prison Mindset.”that is highly resistant to change called “The Prison Mindset.”

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Prison Mindset: Defining FeaturesPrison Mindset: Defining Features

Living in prison conditions a mindset in which:Living in prison conditions a mindset in which:

Routines are structured by someone else.Routines are structured by someone else. Choices are made by others. Offenders lose the ability to make Choices are made by others. Offenders lose the ability to make

decisions. decisions. Basic needs are met without any effort.Basic needs are met without any effort. One has to constantly prove and protect oneself.One has to constantly prove and protect oneself. Respect and safety is generated by inflicting fear in others.Respect and safety is generated by inflicting fear in others. Any appearance of weakness or fear invites aggression from Any appearance of weakness or fear invites aggression from

others. others. The goal is simple – SURVIVAL!The goal is simple – SURVIVAL!

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How the Prison Mindset Impacts How the Prison Mindset Impacts the Re-Entry Processthe Re-Entry Process

Person needs structure, cannot provide it for oneselfPerson needs structure, cannot provide it for oneself Making choices are terrifying and often overwhelmingMaking choices are terrifying and often overwhelming Cannot ask for help, to do so is a sign of weaknessCannot ask for help, to do so is a sign of weakness Does not know how to meet one’s own basic needsDoes not know how to meet one’s own basic needs Compulsion to prove oneself, obsesses over how one is Compulsion to prove oneself, obsesses over how one is

perceivedperceived Uses fear and intimidation to solve problemsUses fear and intimidation to solve problems

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““Mind Your Business”Mind Your Business”What your client is thinking but What your client is thinking but

won’t tell you.won’t tell you.

Work – Work – work habits reflect drug of choicework habits reflect drug of choice often lacks emotional resilience and social skills to deal with often lacks emotional resilience and social skills to deal with

co-worker and supervisor issues on the job.co-worker and supervisor issues on the job. Works to make up for lost time with little awareness of big Works to make up for lost time with little awareness of big

picture. picture. Money – Money –

has financial debts; is ashamed and lacks know-howhas financial debts; is ashamed and lacks know-how gives money away to family members; cannot say nogives money away to family members; cannot say no lowest cost is better; inability to determine relativelowest cost is better; inability to determine relative valuevalue

Relationships- Relationships- Seeks support and structure from someone who has already Seeks support and structure from someone who has already

established it. established it. Compelled to reconcile or re-establish with little thought for Compelled to reconcile or re-establish with little thought for

results.results.

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How Prison Mindset Affects WorkHow Prison Mindset Affects Work

ThoughtsThoughts Cocaine addict: I just want Cocaine addict: I just want

to hurry. Got to make up to hurry. Got to make up for lost time (impatient)for lost time (impatient)

Alcoholic: I just want to Alcoholic: I just want to relax (coasting). relax (coasting).

Cocaine: I need to prove Cocaine: I need to prove myself; I only have value if myself; I only have value if I’m working hard; got to I’m working hard; got to make sure they notice me make sure they notice me on this job; make sure they on this job; make sure they keep me around (fear).keep me around (fear).

Alcoholic: Keep a low Alcoholic: Keep a low profile and just pace profile and just pace yourself (fear)yourself (fear)

BehaviorsBehaviors Approaches job search Approaches job search

or work in a way that or work in a way that mimic their drug of mimic their drug of choice. choice.

Does other people’s Does other people’s work; works too fast; work; works too fast; doesn’t ask for help; has doesn’t ask for help; has trouble following simple trouble following simple directions; wants to directions; wants to improve how job is done improve how job is done

Little limlight, low profile Little limlight, low profile behaviors. Minimal behaviors. Minimal efforts.efforts.

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How Prison Mindset Affects How Prison Mindset Affects WorkWork

ThoughtsThoughts ““I can’t let them I can’t let them

disrespect me.” disrespect me.” (fear)(fear)

Hears boss’s Hears boss’s comments as comments as criticism. (fear). criticism. (fear).

BehaviorsBehaviors Responds with Responds with

intimidation or intimidation or violence or walks violence or walks off job (takes all or off job (takes all or nothing approach)nothing approach)

Walks off the job or Walks off the job or works much works much harder/longer. harder/longer.

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How the Prison Mindset Affects How the Prison Mindset Affects Managing MoneyManaging Money

Thoughts:Thoughts:

The more money I make, The more money I make, the better person I am the better person I am (less than, inadequate)(less than, inadequate)

I can’t have money or it I can’t have money or it might trigger me to use might trigger me to use (fear/anxiety). (fear/anxiety).

I need money for my kids I need money for my kids and my partner (guilt and and my partner (guilt and shame)shame)

Behaviors:Behaviors:

Turns down jobs that are Turns down jobs that are “beneath” them; is picky “beneath” them; is picky about jobs; wants to be self-about jobs; wants to be self-employed; avoids supervision. employed; avoids supervision.

Binge spending on irrelevant Binge spending on irrelevant items, gambling - finding items, gambling - finding ways to get rid of money ways to get rid of money

Gives away rent or grocery Gives away rent or grocery money, even savings to money, even savings to children or spouse.children or spouse.

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How the Prison Mindset Affects How the Prison Mindset Affects Managing MoneyManaging Money

ThoughtsThoughts ““The shoe is going The shoe is going

to drop.”to drop.”

““I need to save as I need to save as much as possible.”much as possible.”

BehaviorsBehaviors Saves excessively Saves excessively

high amount or gives high amount or gives it to someone to it to someone to hold. Won’t spend on hold. Won’t spend on self. self.

Makes decisions Makes decisions based upon lowest based upon lowest cost, not best value. cost, not best value.

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How the Prison Mindset Affects How the Prison Mindset Affects RelationshipsRelationships

Thoughts:Thoughts:

I can’t make it on my own. I can’t make it on my own. I need someone to take I need someone to take care of me.care of me.

I need to be needed.I need to be needed.

““I got the cheese.”I got the cheese.”

Behaviors:Behaviors:

Moves in with a partner who Moves in with a partner who already has a house and already has a house and structured lifestyle. structured lifestyle.

Selects a needy caretaking Selects a needy caretaking partner who enables partner who enables addictive behavior.addictive behavior.

Uses his assets to get place Uses his assets to get place to liveto live

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How the Prison Mindset Affects Family How the Prison Mindset Affects Family RelationshipsRelationships

Thoughts:Thoughts: ““Things are supposed to Things are supposed to

be the same as when I left be the same as when I left ““

““I’ve already missed I’ve already missed enough time with them; enough time with them; this is my last chance, I this is my last chance, I have to get it right”have to get it right”

““I’ve got to make it up to I’ve got to make it up to the family”the family”

Behavior:Behavior:Has expectations about Has expectations about family involvement when family involvement when returning home; loses returning home; loses perspective that time has perspective that time has moved onmoved on

Insists on having parent Insists on having parent role; often interferes with role; often interferes with what children are doingwhat children are doing

Takes on a load that’s more Takes on a load that’s more than they can handle; than they can handle; causes mental setbacks; causes mental setbacks; becomes afraid they won’t becomes afraid they won’t make it; can’t say no make it; can’t say no

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How the Prison Mindset Affects How the Prison Mindset Affects Family RelationshipsFamily Relationships

Thoughts:Thoughts:

I’ve got to show my kids I’ve got to show my kids I’ve changed; I need to I’ve changed; I need to have their approval (guilt have their approval (guilt and shame)and shame)

I wasn’t there for them in I wasn’t there for them in prison, so I have to be prison, so I have to be there for them now there for them now

Behavior:Behavior:

Tries to get acceptance Tries to get acceptance from family; makes from family; makes emotional demands for emotional demands for recognition; upset when recognition; upset when not forthcomingnot forthcoming

Tends to overextend self; Tends to overextend self; will not allow for personal will not allow for personal limitations (time, money, limitations (time, money, shared living area, shared living area, belongings)belongings)

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How the Prison Mindset Leads to How the Prison Mindset Leads to Relapse and the Return to PrisonRelapse and the Return to Prison

Ex-offenders rely on their prison mindset to solve Ex-offenders rely on their prison mindset to solve routine problems with work, money, and routine problems with work, money, and relationships. relationships.

Unfortunately, these solutions either create or Unfortunately, these solutions either create or reinforce negative emotional states, primarily fear!reinforce negative emotional states, primarily fear!

Based upon their experience, Drugs and Alcohol Based upon their experience, Drugs and Alcohol provide the most immediate and effective means of provide the most immediate and effective means of altering their negative emotional states. altering their negative emotional states.

Drug/alcohol use results in either new criminal Drug/alcohol use results in either new criminal behavior or parole violations.behavior or parole violations.

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Tips to Improve Your Client’s Tips to Improve Your Client’s ChancesChances

Know if your client has a drug/alcohol problem. Don’t take Know if your client has a drug/alcohol problem. Don’t take his/her word for it. Know in particular your client’s drug of his/her word for it. Know in particular your client’s drug of choice. choice.

Recognize that the Prison Mindset doesn’t leave when the Recognize that the Prison Mindset doesn’t leave when the offender leaves prison - it just changes locations. offender leaves prison - it just changes locations.

Recidivism is better understood as a process, not an event. Recidivism is better understood as a process, not an event. Each ex-offender has a specific and unique pattern that follows Each ex-offender has a specific and unique pattern that follows a predictable course of events prior to re-arrest. Know your a predictable course of events prior to re-arrest. Know your client’s pattern in the areas of work, money, and relationships. client’s pattern in the areas of work, money, and relationships.

Be aware of red flags that reflect evidence of the prison Be aware of red flags that reflect evidence of the prison mindset surfacing during re-entry. Educate the client to the mindset surfacing during re-entry. Educate the client to the mindset’s patterns. Often awareness is sufficient to change mindset’s patterns. Often awareness is sufficient to change behavior. behavior.

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ReferencesReferences1 Bureau of Justice Statistics: www.ojp.usdoj.gov/prison.htm.1 Bureau of Justice Statistics: www.ojp.usdoj.gov/prison.htm.

2 Timmerman, I.G. & Emmelkamp, P.M. (2001). The prevalence and 2 Timmerman, I.G. & Emmelkamp, P.M. (2001). The prevalence and comorbidity of axis I and II pathology in a group of forensic comorbidity of axis I and II pathology in a group of forensic patients. patients. International Journal of Offender Therapy and International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 45 (2)Comparative Criminology, 45 (2), 198-213., 198-213.

3 Ibid3 Ibid4 Kouri, E.M., Pope Jr., G.H., Powell, K.F., Oliva, P.S., & Campbell, C. 4 Kouri, E.M., Pope Jr., G.H., Powell, K.F., Oliva, P.S., & Campbell, C.

(1997). Drug use and history of criminal behavior among 133 (1997). Drug use and history of criminal behavior among 133 incarcerated men. incarcerated men. American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 23 (3)23 (3), 413-419, 413-419

5 Ibid5 Ibid6 National Institute of Justice. (1989). 6 National Institute of Justice. (1989). NJR ReportsNJR Reports, , 215215, Washington , Washington

DC.DC.7 National Institute on Addiction and Substance Abuse, (1998). 7 National Institute on Addiction and Substance Abuse, (1998).

Behind Bars: Substance Abuse and America’s Prison PopulationBehind Bars: Substance Abuse and America’s Prison Population. . New York: Columbia. New York: Columbia.