Shame, in the prison settings

• Both sympathy and empathy are scripts by Don Nathanson, 3/23/97
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    • Crime and Therapy by Rich Kuyper, 4/4/97
      
      

I have found it very interesting the conversations concerning shame and crime. I currently work in a modified therapeutic community located within a prison. Our program is 12 months in duration, focusing on substance abuse and cognitive behaviorial modification, hopefully to reduce recidivism rates. When working with inmates, I have often found that shame and guilt are formidable barriers to be broken down, prior to any real recovery work can begin. To do this, I often, in individual sessions, speak of the "whys" of the behaviors instead of the "what behaviors". I have also found that most pedaphiles were molested as children. I would appreciate any further information you may be able to pass on concerning shame, guilt, and forgiveness, particularly within the criminal setting.

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