Correctional Subspecialties Roles and Responsibilities
Psychologists generally work in the private sector with patients who are in need of psychological evaluations, treatments or interventions when necessary (Bartol & Bartol, 2012). A psychologist who works primarily in the correctional system may hold the title of forensic psychologist or correctional psychologist. The correctional psychologist responsibilities are more in line with the needs of the institution and the individuals incarcerated while being the primary mental health provider (Magaletta & Verdeyen, 2005).
The educational training standards vary somewhat between a psychologist who does not have a specialty and a correctional psychologist. The correctional psychologist’s education involves a more in depth curriculum relating to the roles required of a correctional psychologist such as inmate screenings and assessments, or the intervention during a crisis within the correctional facility. Competency of correctional personnel through assessments and treatment when necessary is another role the correctional psychologist provides (Bartol & Bartol, 2012). There are strict guidelines that must be followed relating to confidentiality and the correctional psychologist cannot violate them regardless of who they are working. The American Psychological Association’s code of ethics and code of conduct hold true for all psychologists regardless of their work environment. Most correctional facilities also have a code of conduct and ethics that must be followed as well. There are exceptions within the correctional system and it applies to disclosures by the inmate regarding harm to another inmate or the possibility of a prison escape even if involves the inmate personally. The expectation of a correctional psychologist is to provide quality care to the inmates and staff they work with without bias while professionally protecting confidentiality as directed in the guidelines (Quijano & Logsdon, 1978). The correctional psychologist will encounter episodes that will require crisis intervention involving an inmate or inmates depending upon the circumstances. This is an important role and responsibility which the psychologist should be prepared to de-escalate an individual and the situation while promoting safety for all involved. The correctional system encounters all types of individuals each with different attitudes, traits, fears and overwhelming loneliness while worrying about his or her safety while incarcerated. The combination of these factors will make for an extremely stressful environment for the inmate, prison staff and correctional psychologist (Bartol & Bartol, 2012). The correctional psychologist will have the responsibility of trying to help solve these issues while providing the best care and support for the individual whether inmate or staff. The fact that suicides are extremely prevalent in the prison system crisis intervention is vital as a route to solving this issue through the use of clinical evaluations by the forensic/correctional psychologist. Testing and evaluations would involve observations relating to personality and behavior disorders that may exist with the individual which has led to the crisis in question. Many times the individual will be isolated for his or her safety while being evaluated (Magaletta & Verdeyen, 2005)