This presentation discusses counseling special populations, specifically ex-offenders. It notes that the US incarcerates a large portion of the world's prisoners and incarceration rates have risen significantly since the 1970s. Ex-offenders face many barriers to reintegration including poor neighborhoods, lack of support systems, difficulty finding employment due to criminal records and lack of skills. The presentation outlines ways counselors can help ex-offenders including celebrating small successes, assisting with resources, job training, and resume/interview preparation.

1. Counseling Special
Populations:
Ex-offenders
A Presentation by Sarah Moran

2. America: Home of the Not-so-Free
• U.S. holds about ¼ of the world’s prisoners (2.3 million)
• Incarceration has risen 7x since the 1970s
• 1 in 35 American adults is in prison, on parole, or on probation
• 1/3 of African American men can be expected to be locked up at
some point in time
• 1 in 9 black children has a parent behind bars
• $68,000 per inmate per year for American taxpayers
Source: The Economist, June 20th, 2015

3. Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics. Retrieved from
http://www.cbpp.org/research/changing-priorities-state-criminal-justice-reforms-and-investments-in-education

4. What Are We Up Against?
• War on Drugs = Dangerous
overcrowding in systems (The Economist, 2015)
• Stiffer penalties to prevent
continued criminal activity (Thompson, 2004,
p.268)
• Ineligibility for Pell grants (The Economist,
2015)
• 4x the number of mental illnesses
(Thompson, 2004, p.259)
• Economic, technological, social
changes (Thompson, 2004, p.255)
• Lack of substance-abuse treatment
while incarcerated (National Centre on Addiction
and Substance Abuse (CASA), 2010)
• 77% of inmates released from 30
state prisons in 2005 re-arrested
within 5 years

5. More Obstacles To Consider…
• Return to poor, geographically- isolated,
inner city neighborhoods (Thompson, 2004, p.267)
• Difficulty keeping connections/maintaining
relationships (Thompson, 2004, p.285)
• Academic and vocational privileges revoked
• Growing number of labor positions moving
overseas (Thompson, 2004, p. 269)
• Typically less educated, less skilled, less
matured (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US), 2000)

6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtXyGFMBWBs

7. Barriers
•Internal
•Societal
Integrating Substance Abuse Treatment and
Vocational Services – Working with the Ex-Offender.
SAMHSA. 2000

8. How Can Counselors Help?
• Help clients develop sense of autonomy
• Be respectful and consistent with clients
• Celebrate small successes to build/experience achievement
• Present all information and expectations clearly
• Assist in reaching out/developing support unit for client
• Connect client to any available resources within community
• Help obtain proper identification
• Introduction to technology/social media (if necessary)
Source: Integrating Substance Abuse Treatment and Vocational Services – Working with the Ex-Offender. SAMHSA. 2000

9. Career Guidance
• Assist clients in acquiring any necessary education (GED, job
licensure)
• Create resume (transfer skills)
• Clean up list of offenses, if possible
• Mock interviewing, help clients anticipate employers’ concerns
• Develop statement about positive aspects of client’s background
• Job Training (?)
• Writing referrals for clients to bring to interviews
Source: Integrating Substance Abuse Treatment and Vocational Services – Working with the Ex-Offender. SAMHSA. 2000

10. References
• CASA Columbia. (2010). New CASA* report finds: 65% of all U.S. inmates meet medical criteria for
substance abuse addiction, only 11% receive any treatment. [Press Release]. Found in:
The right choices. (2015, June 20). The Economist, 415 (8943). Pg.24.
• Chapter 8: Working with the ex-offender. (2000). In Integrating Substance Abuse Treatment and
Vocational Services. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration (US). Retrieved from http://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64287/
• Jailhouse nation. (2015, June 20). The Economist, 415 (8943). Pg. 11.
• James R.P., Ogloff et. al. (1994). Mental Health Services in Jails and Prisons: Legal, Clinical, and
Policy Issues. Law and Psychology Review. Pgs 109, 112-115.
• The right choices. (2015, June 20). The Economist, 415 (8943). Pgs. 23-26).
• Thompson, A. (2004). Navigating the Hidden Obstacles to Ex-Offender Reentry. Boston College
Law Review, 45 (2). Pgs. 255- 306. Retrieved from
http://lawdigitalcommons.bc.edu/bclr/vol45/iss2/1