Lessons From The Front 1

I began my career in the penal system working as a cognitive-behavioral counselor in a program intended as a "last chance" for A-D Class felons. The program was located in a minimum security prison. The program area itself was classified as a medium security setting, thus had a secure fence, barbed-wire and strict limitations to the offender's movement.

The offenders coming to our program had committed offenses ranging from murder and sexually predatory crimes to burglary and possession of illegal drugs. Most had already served a majority of their sentences inside the walls, obtained a release then failed to adhere to parole rules thus, were sent to us en lieu of a return to prison. A few, mostly younger offenders convicted of D class felonies, were serving probation (community supervision) and failed to adhere to their probation rules.

All felons entering our 90 day program had the same choice to make:
1. Successfully complete our program and return to living in the community (under supervision) or,
2. Fail to complete the program and go to prison.

This seemed a simple enough decision. Unfortunately, not all offenders entering the program completed it successfully. We were known to be highly successful in changing offender thought, attitude and behavioral patterns. With an extremely high success rate of over 58% (success being defined as first completing the program successfully and second, not committing another crime for at least two years following program completion.) we were viewed as a leader in national efforts in offender programs.

On the surface, a fifty-something percent success rate might not seem too promising unless you consider the facts involved:
1. We had 100% failure rated offenders entering the program (all had failed community supervision);
2. We had a dangerous mixture of offenders (sexually violent, white collar, blue collar, ages 17 to 66, drug offenders, gang members, first timers and life-long/repeat offenders) and had program materials/media that had to work with all of them at the same time;
3. Most treatment programs (including twelve-step-, faith- and cognitive-based programs) boast success rates of 7% to 28% at best.

As my first professional position, this exciting opportunity not only gave me the skills that I used to advance in my career, but it provided me with first-hand knowledge of how to evoke change in both myself and others.

For the next several blog entries I want to share with you specific tactics that you can use to promote change within yourself and others. You don't have to be a counselor or a trainer (or criminal, for that matter. LOL) to apply these change-management skills.

Whether it's you who needs to change, your child, your friend or your mate, I am sure the methods and information I have for you will be of help in your change goals. Whether the problem is overeating, overworking, stealing or drinking; if you want to reduce the conflicts you have with others or increase your savings account; whatever change you want in your life it all begins with how you think. And that is where we will begin. Thinking about your thinking.

So long until next time...