Can an Offender change while in prison?

[PMH]

So here's a generic question for you.

Do you believe an offender can change after spending 30 plus years in prison?

Is it possible for someone who shows signs of antisocial personality disorder in his twenties, with admittedly no conscience, capbable of brutal rape, develop a conscience by the time he hits his mid-fifties, even though the intervening 30 plus years are spent in a prison?


-PMH

[docjan]

Wow - so many directions to go with this question. I only have my initial thoughts on this at this moment.

I believe anything is possible, but I would have to see some efforts, etc. to consider this development of a conscience in spite of the "learning" that has been taking place, or I would lean to the "no." I would think such a history of his learning experiences in prison would not be conducive to development of a healthy conscience.

Are there are some other factors here to be considered?

Janice

[guntersmith]

YES.

[guntersmith]

OOPS! Sorry to be so terse with previous response.

What I meant to say was: Yes. With Caveats.

I don't know about the ability to "develop a conscience." There's no lab test for that yet. What I DO know is that, after 15 years in corrections, the last 5 in sex offender treatment, I observe change happening on a daily basis. It might be subtle, or epiphanous, but it is there. Within the year S.O.s spend in our program, they experience enough negative consequences for inappropriate participation, and enough perks and modeling for positive behavior, to choose which direction makes more sense.

I understand that the best malignant narcissistic antisocials can act the good part, but not usually with 24/7 observation for a whole year; they will slip. And the more benign antisocials can learn the role, stage the play daily, and maintain this behavior, perhaps a lifetime, because they find this change in behavior works better in the long run. They may not have a Jiminy Cricket on the shoulder, but they have learned a repertoire of thoughts [self-talk] and behaviors that suffice.

Good guys? Maybe not.
Better guys? Definitely.

So the answer is still: Yes.

[[And, by the way, the opportunity to see results in mental health work? A blessing.]]

Beti

[jsingerphd]

How can 30 years pass and someone not change? The aging process alone changes perceptions and perspectives.

[carlosllopez]

I would be skeptical to say yes not knowing the motivation for change. There are variables and factors that occur behind bars that once they are removed, will old habits and behaviors resurface. I would have to see more than expressed contrition and "proof of the pudding" before I would believe a change had truly occurred. That's not to say it could not happen....however...

[docjan]

I would agree in being skeptical. I also agree that change occurs all the time. I do believe a person who has been in prison for 30 years has changed, but I would be concerned about how, given the experiences he has to learn from and what thinking processes he has applied to these experiences that he has been exposed to. Another issue is the difference in triggers, etc outside the prison and how these will be dealt with.

Overall, I think we would need to know more about the experiences he has had while in prison to be able to make better guesses about how he will do once he has left prison.

[jlooman]

Prison is like a community. As the offender goes through his daily life in prison he interacts with people, both staff and other inmates. He works at a job, goes to school, takes part in programs - he ages, as he ages he associates with different people - he pretty much has to change.

Depending on the people the offender associates this change can be for the worse, or for the better. Most of the men I have talked to who have been in prison a long time are tired. They have matured and want something different for themselves.

There is the odd guy (in both senses of the word) who still endorses the antisocial views that brought him in, but in most cases they have mellowed.

Jan