ABSTRACT
The purpose of this chapter is to illustrate how workbooks can be utilized along with talk therapy to rehabilitate incarcerated felons. A brief rationale is presented for the use of writing and programmed distance writing (PDW) in therapy in general and then a specific rationale for their use with inmates to improve emotional control and thinking. An illustration of an intervention program conducted by the author and co-author is described. The intervention program is a replication of an earlier program conducted with felons (Reed, McMahan, and L’Abate, 2000). Combined results are analyzed. Conducting studies in correctional facilities presents special problems that limit the use of control groups and the study of long-term effects (Megargee, 1995). Similar limitations were discovered in this study, including the lack of a control group. However, this program is illustrative of how workbooks can be used to obtain what we hope are synergistic results.
