The functions of a prison psychologist

Although Penitentiary Psychology constitutes a fairly unknown area, The functions performed by a prison psychologist are fundamental. Some of them are related to the evaluation and treatment of inmate personnel, thus preparing them for their future reintegration into society.

The psychological intervention begins at the moment in which a person confined in the penitentiary center. In this way, it assists male and female inmates regarding the different needs they present, as well as all those difficulties that they may encounter as inmates in the penitentiary center in which they remain.

The prison psychologist: a historical necessity

In the United States, in 1919, the role of psychologist appeared for the first time. within a service in a penitentiary center. From that moment on, there was a growth in the need to provide penitentiary centers with this figure in the majority of Penitentiary Institutions.

In Spain, it will be Decree 162/1968, on the modification of certain articles of the prison regulations, which indicates the need to have specialist personnel for prison classification and treatment. We are making clear reference to different professionals, among which is the figure of the psychologist.

Little by little, the figure of the prison psychologist has acquired such relevance that Currently a large number of these professionals work in Penitentiary Institutions.

It should not be forgotten that The workplace is an institution where people spend 24 hours a daywhich requires carrying out multiple activities, as well as working with inmates and, to a certain extent, as Romero (2002) points out, the prison psychologist acquires various psychological specialties to be able to carry out his work.

Main functions: evaluation and treatment

The most important functions performed by the psychologist are evaluation and treatment:

Make the diagnosis of the accused person and also writes the pertinent reports for the Court, before and after the trial. Once the accused person enters prison, constant monitoring of the person’s attitude and behavior regarding his or her evolution in the prison environment will be carried out.Implement specific programs that cover the needs and difficulties of inmates (for example, addiction problems, HIV, gender violence, etc.).

Fundamental guidelines in psychological intervention

The four fundamental guidelines that the prison psychologist must take into account are the following:

Regarding the constitutional, legal and regulatory rights of the inmate. Individualization of the intervention carried out, that is, each inmate will have his or her own personalized record. The professional specialization of each psychologist. Follow the lines general actions indicated by the General Directorate of Penitentiary Institutions.

Other functions of a prison psychologist

In addition to the above, they are many and diverse functions that a prison psychologist develops within the penitentiary environment. Among all of them, some of the following stand out:

Improve the quality of lifeboth physically and psychologically, of the inmates. Perform the psychological evaluation (through observation, interviews, personality tests, etc.). Write the evaluation reportwhich will be included in the inmate’s protocol. Implement individualized programsamong which will include the improvement of personal and social skills as well as the prevention of criminal behavior.Facilitate relationships with the outside, since in the future he will reintegrate into society once the sentence imposed has been served.

Prison is considered the last phase of the criminal justice process. This process begins with the commission of the crime, the investigation of the case, the arrest of the suspected persons, the detention, the trial and, finally, the sentence. Once the person has served the sentence, they will return to society.

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