Introduction

Most offenders in correctional facilities do not meet the DSM-5 (American Psychiatric Association, 2013) criteria of severely antisocial or psychopathic. However, as documented throughout the textbook, funding shortages and lack of mental health treatment for incarcerated criminals is woefully inadequate. This makes you more likely to encounter offenders who are diagnosed with Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD) and prone to violent behavior.

As a corrections counselor, you must recognize the complexity of treating of offenders with antisocial and APD diagnoses. Working with this unique population requires advanced clinical training, strong supervision, and staff support. Effective interventions for severely antisocial and psychopathic offenders remain elusive. This does not mean, however, that they are unworthy of help and support in the correctional environment.

Instructions

For this discussion:

• Explain why it is easier to intervene with offenders who are not diagnosed as psychopathic or severely antisocial.
• Identify the special skills correctional staff must have to work effectively and safely with severely antisocial offenders.
• Reflect on the unit reading about building safe rapport with psychopaths. Discuss your thoughts related to these recommendations. Which concepts stand out? Why?