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epressed because inmates felt uncomfortable about raising certain issues in the presence of female
counselors. Inmates expressed a problem with the C.O.’s on the unit, complaining that they do
not treat inmates like people. Inmates felt that C.O.’s should have some AOD training before they
are sent to work on the TC. Many inmates expressed negative opinions of the pull-up system.
Among their major complaints, they felt that pull-ups should not be anonymous; an inmate should
confkont another inmate face-to-face rather than simply writing him up and leaving his fate to the
pull-up committee. Many felt that some inmates take advantage of the pull-up system for revenge
against inmates whom they have had a dispute with. Proper staff supervision of the entire pull-up
system is indeed critical, especially for a large TC unit. TC inmates at Houtzdale strongly
expressed a need for more frequent individual counseling.
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Huntington. A typical day in the TC consists of morning meeting, phase groups, and small
groups. Phase groups deal with many topics, such as drug addiction, criminal thinking, and anger
and violence. Small groups deal mainly with inmates’ personal and therapeutic issues. Inmates are
able to express their feelings freely and get feedback from other members of the group. Although
several inmates perceived that pull-ups were a good idea in theory, the majority of them felt that
pull-ups should not be anonymous. Some inmates, they perceived, may use pull-ups vindictively
and they give inmates too much power. Inmates complained that the TC should be moved out of
the basement, since there were leaky pipes everywhere.” Inmates unanimously expressed positive
regard for the treatment program and TC counselors. A strongly supportive treatment
environment was the strongest theme that emerged from inmate interviews at Huntingdon.
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should be completed Within 12 months.
22 A well-maintained physical plant may help reinforce the value of treatment and facilitate
recovery (ONDCP, 1999).
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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.