Citation

Greco MC. Am. J. Sociol. 1948; 53(4): 289-294.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1948, University of Chicago Press)

DOI

10.1086/220175

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The effectiveness of any attempt to rehabilitate penal inmates is largely dependent upon the capacity of penal workers to achieve a relationship with them which will not evoke defensive conduct. Workers tend to direct interviews in such a way that past and present difficulties appear to emphasize the inmate's personal deficiencies. This hinders insight and accentuates his differences from the noncriminal world. A technique of interviewing which will lead the inmate to see his past and present life in terms of social setting is described.