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Video Critique: The Released
The Released, published on April 28, 2009, gives an inside look at what happens to
mentally ill individuals after prison. Most offenders with mental illnesses return to prison within
a few months after being released. The interviewees found that after interviewing some men, less
than five short months later, they were incarcerated again (Navasky et al., 2009). In addition, the
video explained the difficulties of transitioning from prison to civilian life and why it is more
difficult for the mentally ill. Following the stories and lives of Jerry Tharp, Michael Grissett,
Lynn Moore, Benny Anthony, William Stokes, and Keith Williams, this video documented their
lives as they went in and out of prison because of chronic mental illnesses and criminal acts. The
Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) model is influential in assessing and treating offenders. The
video provides examples of three core principles of risk, need, and general responsivity.
Exploration of principles numbers five, six, and seven occur in this paper in pairing with the
video, The Released. Charity chose these principles because they appear in the video the most
and profoundly impact the offenders’ lives. These principles highlighted in the paper were the
most evident in the video and are essential to discuss so that change is possible in the system and
how individuals, like the men in the video, can get help. These three core principles, expounded
on in the video in real-life examples, show their importance and why the RNR model is essential.
Principle Five
Principle five is the risk principle and contains two aspects: the first is that criminal
behavior is predictable, and the second is that the level of treatment should match the offender’s
risk level (Bonta & Andrews, 2016). By matching the level of service to offender risk, it bridges
assessment and effective treatment. In addition, higher-risk offenders need more intensive and
extensive care services, unlike low-risk offenders, who need little to no intervention. Charity
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chose this principle because, in many of the stories shared in the video, the men required
treatment that matched their high-risk level, but not all of them received it. Each of them started
well after being released and understood the importance of taking their medication, but they soon
stopped taking it, committed a criminal act, and ended up in prison. The video explains an
unrealistic expectation for the chronically ill to follow up on a specific date, time, and agency.
The system assumes they have the judgment needed to continue taking medication and the
cognitive capacity to make appointment calls (Navasky et al., 2009, 00:17:04). Out of all six
offenders, only two received some treatment related to their risk level. William Stokes received
the opportunity to be in a residential group home for the mentally ill and obtain the mental health
care and management needed for him to do well (Navasky et al., 2009, 00:27:22). Because of
this, he continued to do well after seven months of being in the facility when the interviewers
followed up with him. In addition, Benny Anthony had the opportunity to be in a group home,
visit a psychiatrist and have the support he needed. However, he still refused to take medication
because he believed he did not need it due to his time being homeless without it (Navasky et al.,
2009, 00:24:04). This example shows that even if an individual receives the care and treatment
they need, they still struggle to accomplish the necessary steps to get better, such as taking
medications. With this in mind, how can the system assume an individual without the level of
care that matches their risk level can follow through with their necessary steps? The video
explains there are cases where individuals need a level of supervision and care on a regular,
consistent basis because they are chronically mentally ill (Navasky et al., 2009, 00:49:46).
Principle Six
Principle six is the need principle and emphasizes that offenders have both criminogenic
and non-criminogenic needs. Criminogenic needs are a subset of the offender’s risk level and are
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dynamic risk factors, so when changed have a positive association with a change in recidivism
probability. While non-criminogenic needs are also dynamic, they do not have a strong
association with recidivism (Bonta & Andrews, 2016). The video explains that it is difficult for
offenders to transition from incarceration to civilian life because, many times, they have better
care while being incarcerated, which is why offenders need these needs met (Navasky et al.,
2009, 00:38:00). For Lynn Moore, his need was to find a job. By finding a job, he completed his
need for interpersonal relationships, enhanced his work skills, and replaced pro-criminal friends
and associates with prosocial ones. His case manager aided him with this step. Because of it, he
showed positive change and motivation to find a job and turn his life around (Navasky et al.,
2009, 00:35:58). Keith Williams was placed into a homeless shelter after being released but
wound up back in prison shortly after. His needs were unmet, and because of it, he continued
with old patterns and ended up in jail. Benny Anthony continued to do well under supervision,
and because of it, his self-esteem increased. He received encouragement from the court and
continued to do well. After being placed in a group home, the caretakers there continued to meet
his non-criminogenic and criminogenic needs (Navasky et al., 2009, 21:46). Meeting with
nurses, case managers, and a psychiatrist enabled him to lessen his pro-criminal attitudes and see
the validity of taking medications; he started noticing the signal that he needed to take his
medication, which met his criminogenic need.
Principle Seven
Principle seven is the responsivity principle and refers to treating the offender in a style
and mode consistent with their learning style. Cognitive-behavioral and cognitive social learning
strategies are more effective than other interventions and are the most powerful influence
strategies. William Stokes and Benny Anthony received treatment best suited to their needs and
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learning style. In these group homes, they learned skill building, modeling, reinforcement, and
many more influence strategies that enabled them to do well and stop pro-criminal attitudes and
behaviors. William Stokes continued to do well in the group home many months after being
placed there. He saw others doing well and strived to be better like them. He had help from case
managers and reminders to take medication; he developed interpersonal relationships with others
in the home and gained the support he needed, at the risk level needed, and in the form of
learning necessary for him. In comparison, many other offenders were placed in homeless
shelters and left alone to manage their medication, appointments, and a new life without much
help. Because of this, they eventually end up back in prison, which is why it is essential not
solely to house these individuals but to teach them in the style that best suits them so they can get
better and learn how to live outside prison.
The video, The Released, showcases what happens to individuals struggling with chronic
mental illnesses after being released from prison and why they often end up back in prison after
being released. In addition, it shows the links to the RNR model, examples of the model in use,
and how it benefited the offender. Transitioning from incarceration to civilian life is complicated.
With chronic mental illness, such as schizophrenia, the difficulty is greater, but with the RNR
model and other effective treatment methods, the transition could be easier for offenders.
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References
Bonta, J., & Andrews, D. (2016). The Psychology of Criminal Conduct (6th Edition). Taylor &
Francis. https://libertyonline.vitalsource.com/books/9781317387404
Navasky, M. (Writer & Director), O’Connor, K. (Writer & Director). (2009, April 28). The
Released (Season 2009, Episode 9) [TV series episode]. In D. Fanning (Executive
Producer), Frontline. PBS
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