Penitentiary personnel attitudes towards treatment and prisoner’s social insertion

Abstract

Work presented here is part of an intervention and research project carried out in a prison with the general objectives of improving the quality of life of drug dependent inmates. The project, lasting three years, was an ideal setting for studying the opinions of the prison personnel. Using writen and anonymous questionnaires, data from a sample of employees was gathered. Results reflect personnel's criticism of the institution, as well as a lack of confidence in the possibility of any behavioural change in inmates. They show a negative vision of what prisoners can learn in an institution and of the chances of social insertion. The article ends with some reflections about the importance of prison personnel's expectations and work in order to achieve positive results during imprisonment.