Prison Counsellor

Overview

Who is Prison Counsellor?

Prison counsellors see both the greatest and worst sides of human nature. They listen to tales of untold violence, abuse, and drug addiction daily and seek to break these patterns in people's life. Prison psychologists are often requested to provide feedback on an inmate's improvement before being granted release. As a Prison Counselor, you will be exposed to some of the most heinous atrocities that human beings are capable of while striving to maintain compassion for the convicts who perpetrated these crimes. Prison psychologists must also actively strive to prevent offenders from committing new crimes while jailed and released.

Typical day at work

What does Prison Counsellor do?

Inmates get mental health therapy, education, and assessment from prison counsellors to prepare them for life outside of jail. This counsellor will work one-on-one with convicts to address mental health challenges, mentality issues, and emotional issues that may lead to re-engaging criminal conduct. They also help with paperwork and conduct specific other administrative responsibilities at the correctional institution, such as keeping track of convicts' records.

• Prison Counselor, administer a battery of tests to incoming inmates. These tests include, but are not limited to IQ testing, thematic tests, personality tests, and many more. Prison Counselor may be required, to prepare inmates for release, and communicate directly with parole boards.
• They also facilitate therapy groups for violent offenders. Prison Counselors work diligently to curb the violent impulses of inmates. Often, they work closely with prison psychiatrists to both diagnose and treat mental disorders within their prison population.
• Prison Counselors, are also responsible for managing suicidal inmates. As a Prison Counselor you may also be responsible for the treatment of patients with schizophrenia and a variety of other psychotic disorders. Part of a prison counselor's job is to help seriously mentally ill inmates manage hallucinations and delusions while incarcerated.

Abilities & aptitude needed

What are the skills, abilities & aptitude needed to become Prison Counsellor?

Working in prison is always dangerous. First and foremost, they must deal with difficult people in potentially hazardous or high-pressure situations. Furthermore, they should have:

• Excellent organising skills
• Ability to think Critically
• Superior decision-making abilities
• Exceptional emotional resilience
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Strong capacity to go into and discover the underlying causes of behaviour
• Patience and compassion are essential components of a healthy lifestyle.

Courses

Which course I can pursue?