Psychological tasks relating to inmates, highlighting the challenges of caring for the prisoners serving actual life sentence

Abstract

The psychologist uses his/her professional knowledge to support the social reintegration of the inmates, his/her task is to help maintaining and developing self-esteem and sense of responsibility, developing the awareness of social utility, and to facilitate integration into the post-release society. The psychologist’s work begins with the first encounter with the inmate, where an inclusive screening reveals the current characteristics of the prisoner's personality and the factors that threaten security. Based on the risk assessment, the psychologist plans the care activity paying particular attention to the prevention of suicide attempts, crisis management and detecting the conditions threatening safety. The psychologist plays a key role in creating a good mental hygiene environment, and does preventive work to preserve mental health. The psychologist’s work with life-long sentenced prisoners focuses on the prisoners accepting the new life situation, integrating into the life and the community of the prison section. It is important to maintain the desire to live, the interest in various activities, and the motivation for activities that result for prisoners in living some flow experience and happiness.