PSYCHOLOGY AND PRISONS

Evening Post, Issue 149, 20 December 1935, Page 12

PSYCHOLOGY AND PRISONS

' iThe^.actiyities pt', psychiatrists in; connection; with prison- work have introduced! f^'t^qubllso^e", problem,', Ward(fenieWis'.E:La^yes, of Sing Sing, told the members; of the' American Prison Association assembled at Atlanta for its sixty-fifth annual congress, says the '"Christian Science Monitor." y.:-

;"Hunianisation ■.; and rehabilitation; :must; go", on .in the penal institutions : but, psychiatry -■; has to prove itself less -academic to -become a definite and positive ; factor, in this process," War,den liases stated. "Often the antag- ; ohismfaroused i in the average prisoner by the exhaustive, searching, indelicate, and revolting questions tends, to nullify; what good psychiatry might accomplish.

"It is.true that this.information can .be obtained only from the prisoner himself, but-surely there must be^a ; more'tactful and diplomatic way than ihas frequently been exercised," he defclared.. '■ ■• '■■"■ ''■■■::

Warden; Lawcs affirmed that he had "observed some psychiatrists of cvi-

dent learning propound theories,; give tests, ■■ issue I.Q.s and . introduce numerous other .plans without any appreciable constructive work resulting from their-labours,'; adding that the "nauseating nature of some of the questions precludes ■ a truthful ■ reply.'' ■- ■ —:-.' •■'■

In all.fairness to.psychiatry Warden Lawes'said this '."may be. due to the regrettable fact that the personnel of a prison . the intrusion into their-, relations' with the prisoners of ah "element.'that is entirely strange and incomprehensible."..'. The procedure of psychiatrists ."will; not always help men. confined in prison," he said.

"The; only'feasible and effective, way of: humanising our prisoners is by applying ; the '. principles of social case work ;• ,and; classification,". Warden liawes. stated. , "Individual treatment of prisoners -with a study .of their problems -in . a sincere endeavour to prepare them for a normal existence, in the future cannot in any. sense be termed 'coddling.' To release an individual prepared to meet the problems of the world outside, we must treat him while confined .as an individual who requires normal, wholesome social contacts." '