A Comparison of Perspectives of Inmates vs. Staff in Determining Critical Content for Occupational Therapy Transitional Programming with Female Inmates

Abstract

The U.S. justice system focuses more on corrections than on rehabilitation. In countries emphasizing rehabilitation, occupational therapists are commonly employed. A comparative analysis was conducted of staff vs. inmates’ views of essential programming at one Midwestern U.S. women’s reintegration center. Inmates participated in two 90-min focus groups (N = 9) which included a 50-item quantitative survey. Staff (N = 16) were surveyed via an online platform. Qualitative and quantitative results showed that staff and inmates had limited knowledge of offerings. Both groups identified similar priorities, desiring whole health, professionally-led trauma-informed programming to support independent living, thus indicating a current role for occupational therapy.

Keywords:

• Female inmates
• focus groups
• occupational therapy
• reintegration programming
• survey

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

These researchers would like to thank the [Anonymotized] Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, as well as the Warden and staff of the Reintegration Center for permitting and supporting this study. The occupational therapy faculty and students look forward to continued partnership and ongoing innovative endeavors. This study was conducted as a requirement for the Master of Occupational Therapy program at [Anonymotized] State University.

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).