0 - National Criminal Justice Reference Service

Interview Summaries
Cresson. The inmates we interviewed indicated that Cresson’s TC treatment schedule
throughout the day is very full. Inmates are expected to participate in daily rap groups, which are
counselor-run groups where the inmates may openly discuss personal issues as well as treatment
issues. They also participate in phase classes, groups that deal with specific topics such as stress
and anger, cognitive restructuring, rationalhational thinking, and criminal thinking, and evening
NNAA meetings 2 - 3 times a week. In regards to punishment, inmates receive “block cards” for
minor offenses. The 1‘ block card is considered a warning. If an inmate receives more than one,
he meets with the Interpersonal Committee, who may assign extra duties (e.g., cleaning,
maintenance) or a seminar (writing an essay and reading it in fiont of the community). Inmates
expressed some problems with security staff. There was a consensus that the C.O.’s on the unit
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had bad attitudes and were not treatment-oriented. The majority of inmates really liked one of the
two main TC counselors, primarily because they felt that he “knows what they are dealing with.”
They felt that the other TC counselor was straightforward, but a little more “textbook.” Inmates
perceived a need for more individual counseling and for more counselors in the TC.
Graterford. A TC inmate’s day (indeed, evenings and weekends also) at Graterford is
quite busy. They are up fiom 6:30 a.m. till almost 9:OO p.m, with the majority of that time in
treatment or treatment-related activities (e.g., “helping measures”). Morning meetings are held at
8: 15 a.m. Inmates have treatment groups till 11 :OO, then lunch, helping measure presentations,
count, dinner, one hour of yard time, then evening AA/NA/Alanon meetings. The biggest
complaint by inmates was that they needed more fiee time. They also felt that there should be
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This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not
been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s)
and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.