Mental health considerations (feb 27)

What is a major criticism of the "Creating Choices" (1990) report regarding prisoner agency?

While it promoted empowerment and agency, critics like Pollack argue the reality is "responsibilization"—prisoners are forced to follow a specific correctional plan and held solely responsible for their own rehabilitation, often feeling they have no real say.

Why is the high rate of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) diagnoses (75%) among female prisoners controversial?

Critics argue it carries a heavy negative stigma ("difficult to treat") and focuses entirely on individual factors while ignoring the outside social context, such as poverty and trauma.

What is the "Dialectics" formula used in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)?

Thesis + Antithesis = Synthesis. This process uses discussion to move away from dichotomous (black-and-white) thinking toward a shared "middle ground" outcome.

What is "Irreverent Communication" and why is it a concern for trauma survivors?

It is a technique where practitioners respond to a client's disclosure with sarcasm or a lack of empathy to create a "destabilizing reaction." It is criticized for being harmful to those who have already experienced trauma or rights violations.

What is "Distress Tolerance" in a carceral setting, and what are its drawbacks?

It encourages individuals to simply "deal with" their current stress. Critics argue it bars personal or historical context and can lead women to believe they must keep experiences of abuse or harsh strip searches to themselves.

What did the Office of the Correctional Investigator (OCI) criticize about the computerized mental health screening?

It failed to account for cultural or gender context, such as "Adverse Childhood Experiences" (ACEs), which are critical for understanding adulthood struggles

What is the goal of "Trauma-Informed Theory" in Indigenous healing?

To recognize that prisons are closed institutions that can trigger further trauma. It emphasizes healing in "sacred grounds" away from surveillance and encourages the use of humanizing language (e.g., "community members" instead of "prisoners")