Introduction of psychologists’ institution to the penitentiary system is a new initiative that has been functioning for several months. It already gave results as the government aims to decrease number of prisoners in Georgia through prevention of crime and by helping the prisoners in re-socialization and adaptation to the society. Ekaterina Pachulia, Head of the Social Affairs Unit of Penitentiary Department, one of the initiators of implementing the psychologists’ institution in this system talked with Georgian Journal.
Q. Was the idea of employing psychologist at prisons, connected to the notorious facts of abuse of prisoners?
A. I and our team were appointed to our current position after those events. We first conducted a survey among the inmates to learn about their living condition and their needs. We also talked to the prisoners, especially those ones who were notoriouf for their tough behavior, were disposed to suicide and self-injury. As a result, we arrived at the conclusion that there was a need of qualified philologists in our system. Nearly every prisoner has a spiritual father but they have no need for psychologist or psychiatrist.
Q. Is this first case of psychologists working at the prisons in Georgia?
A. There was one psychologist in social staff in every prison but the persons, who were filling that position, were not professional psychologists. Thus, actually, that position was unoccupied. Psychologists served only at the prison for adolescents and prison No. 8. In adolescents’ prison the group made up of teachers, a social worker, a psychologist and a doctor, was working. So, when we learnt the results of the survey, we made the conclusion that psychologists’ body was necessarily required at penitentiary system.
Q. Are there any results of psychologists’ institution at the penitentiary system?
A. We already have results. We receive letters from inmates, who thank us. I remember a case, when a prisoner said that he was addicted to psychotropic drugs and individual interviews with the psychologist improved his state and helped him give up drugs. It is particularly effective with regard to persons who are disposed to suicide and self-injury. It is not only our conclusions or observation; prisoners point it out and talk about it.
Q. Do psychologists care for re-socialization of the inmates and does the department look after former prisoners to help them in the process of adaptation in the society?
A. When the inmate leaves prison, he or she gets out of competency of the department. A prevention group was set up at the Ministry of Justice under supervision of Minister Tea Tsulukiani. We have active contacts with the group and hold many meetings. But this group deals with the youngstrs under 25. The group helps former inmates in finding jobs, in rehabilitation; its members give them information about the innovation that took place during their imprisonment. Right now, there are one or two psychologists at prisons, depending on the number of prisoners. It is not enough but we don’t have more resources right now. That’s why we created the position of a chief psychologist at our department; he/she will supervises all processes and work out plan. I must say that our psychologists work individually; they don’t have group sessions. Our psychologists meet five, six inmates every day. They create psychological portraits of prisoners; that information is confidential.
Q. Were there any facts of aggression against psychologists?
A. No, we have no record of such cases. The process is voluntary. We also have programs of collaboration with NGOs for the inmates who are drug- and alcohol addicts. The new projects with participation of psychologists, produce positive results.