All settings impose their unique challenges to case management, with criminal justice settings not being an exception. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS, 2004), case management of substance abuse clients in prisons involves bringing together two different philosophies. Even though the criminal justice system is interested in the rehabilitation of inmates, its primary concern is public safety. The objectives of a case manager may clash with the strict rules of prisons. Therefore, addiction specialists should be aware of the challenging aspects of the case management role in prisons.
First, in criminal justice settings, case managers are often overburdened with cases. This implies that case managers should provide comprehensive services even though “in some programs [they] must manage too many cases with too few resources” (US Department of Justice, 1999, p. 11). Therefore, case managers are often forced to restrict their services to the most basic linking and monitoring activities (US Department of Justice, 1999).
Second, case managers often face the problem of incomplete information about the treatment of clients. The central problem is that inmates are often transferred among facilities, which implies that many specialists manage the case, which increases the chances of losing treatment information. Therapists are to be prepared for the identified challenges and develop adequate strategies to address them.
Models of Case Management
While there are different approaches to case management, I believe that the strength-based approach is most beneficial for clients. According to Brun and Rapp (2001), the strengths perspective is based on the idea that people have abilities and inner resources that allow them to cope with substance abuse and comorbid conditions. It is a holistic, client-centered approach that acknowledges the uniqueness of every situation and promotes people’s self-worth and value. In contrast to deficit-based approaches, the strength-based approach facilitates the reentry of patients into the community. A focus on deficits negatively programs clients, which leads to an inability to escape their negative stigma (Brun & Rapp, 2001).
The strength-based approach is based on positive psychology, which is widely used in social services. Brun and Rapp (2001) state that the approach is supported by a growing body of empirical evidence. The approach promotes the use of informal helping networks, which is central for case managers, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services (2004). In summary, I believe that a strength-based approach is the best strategy in case management as it improves the ability to transcend life challenges.
References
US Department of Health and Human Services. (2004). Case management for substance abuse treatment: A guide for treatment providers. Rockville, MD: HHS Publications.
US Department of Justice. (1999). Case management in the criminal justice system. Web.
Brun, C., & Rapp, R. C. (2001). Strengths-based case management: Individuals’ perspectives on strengths and the case manager relationship. Social Work, 46(3), 278–288. Web.
US Department of Health and Human Services. (2004). Case management for substance abuse treatment: A guide for treatment providers. Rockville, MD: HHS Publications.