Not that Guy! Navigating the Helping Role with Justice-Involved Clients, Labels, Stigmas, and Resistance

• In Event: Training and Professionalization of Correctional Staff

Abstract

Criminal justice professionals often report a deep commitment to social justice, positive change, and support for the people with whom they work (Wolfer & Friedrichs, 2001). However, research has demonstrated that these goals are sometimes at odds with practice (Tiger, 2013). Research has demonstrated that many of these individuals also come to treatment or services with a set of characteristics often labeled as "resistant," "difficult," or "challenging" or even "untreatable" (Linn-Walton & Maschi, 2014; Redko, et al., 2007). What happens when our mission of service and help meets a client who has barriers to accepting this aid? What if those barriers are being rejected from care? Or when we aren't aware of our own barriers to providing the support our clients need? How do we overcome these barriers to provide services that will have positive impact? This presentation reviews the literature about how professionals engage individuals with a history of justice involvement, who have often been labeled or stigmatized as unable to be helped. The presenter will draw on clinical experience and data from the literature and field professionals on the subject of working with justice-involved individuals. Challenges, workplace constraints, and overcoming these barriers to care will be discussed.

Author

• Rebecca Linn-Walton, Center for Alternative Sentencing and Employment