Prisoners will often want to talk to staff about a personal problem. Please describe one situation where you have had to give support to someone facing a personal problem.
What was the situation, what did you do in order to understand the problem and how did you give support to the person?
2006-11-07 10:26:31 · 5 answers · asked by vicki lou 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment
If you are going to be any good for the service, you should answer that one yourself.
2006-11-07 10:30:44 · answer #1 · answered by Polo 7 · 6⤊ 3⤋
My husband has been in federal prison for 26 years. Are you talking about working as a psych counselor? What do they mean "personal problem?" I've never known a prisoner that "often wanted to talk to staff about a personal problem" unless they were looking for a vacation in a psyche unit for awhile.
Staff members and prisoners alike can get in big trouble for communicating outside guidelines. The prisoners look like they are snitching, and the staff looks like they are being asked to bring in contraband (usually correct assumptions in both cases). Otherwise, the inmates talk to staff only when staff isn't following policy, or they file on staff because talking rarely does any good.
Staff shouldn't be offering personal advice under any circumstances unless you are a psych counselor of some kind. Your actions could be easily misunderstood, and it is unprofessional and in some cases a violation to get too chummy with inmates. I filed an ADA claim on a staff member who questioned me insultingly about my medication during a visit with my husband. He wasn't following policy, and also got personal. That's why I'm asking about the job question you've posed.
If you are a psych or religious counselor, then the questions you might face are: "My wife and kids are coming for their first visit, and I'm afraid I may not be able to handle it, especially when we have to say goodbye. You know I can't cry in there so what do I do or think when it's time? The other guys say that's the worst part of visiting." or "This is the first visit I've had with my wife since our son died. I wasn't allowed to go to the funeral, and I don't know if she'll want to talk about it or not. I don't want her to get upset in the visiting room. Should I let her bring it up first?" Or "My lover left me for a new guy, and everybody knows it, but now he wants to take him back and I really love him, but I'm afraid it will make me look weak." Or "My cellie has a cell phone and if I turn him in, I'll get an hour of good time. He'll have to do another ten years but I really don't care. Can you report this for me or how do I report him?"
How WOULD you respond to these questions? Never mind what other people have said or done...what about you? If you can't answer these questions, you don't need to work in a prison. These guys will have questions you never dreamed of, and will call your bluff in a heartbeat if you can't come up with the right answer quickly. IF you try that "reflective listening," like "and how does that make you feel?" or "are you okay with that?", they will know you're a fake.
I have nothing but immense respect for the chaplains and others who minister to these guys. They willingly walk into the lion's den and do what they can for the inmates who want to be helped. Please make sure you know what you're doing and never forget where you are.
Good luck to you.
2006-11-10 04:58:55 · answer #2 · answered by His Old Lady 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When individuals need to talk about personal problems the best thing you can do is to listen. Would rather not go into details but I have many friends who confide in me with personal stuff cos they know that I will do that, then offer support that is truthful and honest and the best that I can provide for them and most important of all that I will keep it confidential. Hope this helps, though doesn't exactly answer your question and good luck with your application.
2006-11-07 18:31:25 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
use reflective listening and empathetic response.
allow the person to talk through the problem themselves.
seeing what they can do to solve it.
try taking a quick look at a skill called "reflective listening"
remember; don't take the problem on yourself.
but you can say things like:
sounds like this is bothering you or
wow, that's a tough situation or
i can tell you're angry about what happened
etc.
2006-11-07 18:35:16 · answer #4 · answered by BonesofaTeacher 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I agree with Ron...
2006-11-07 18:34:07 · answer #5 · answered by shelshe 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋