| (May Newsletter 2003 - Page 7) Various things heard and received in writing by CFR over the past year regarding the refurbishing of three buildings at the St. Peter site were discussed. Thuringer called and wrote to Dr. Farnsworth asking for clarification of whether or not any of these buildings would be used for sex offenders now in the Moose Lake facility. Dr. Farnsworth responded and said “no” that these buildings were to be used to integrate women into the program. Members of CFR and family members did not agree with this. CFR survey report (a survey conducted on residents’ points of view of treatment program) was discussed. A final report was sent to the Hospital Review Board and Senator Neuville to be presented to the Senate House. Family members discussed various incidences residents have gone through in prison and in other treatment facilities. Many residents had to get help with what they had been put through by other residents and staff in these other facilities, as well as trying to go through treatment for what they themselves had done. The injustice of it all was brought forth and strongly expressed. Jury Trial was discussed, which is in the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals at present. Hopefully we will hear the Courts final decision soon. Members discussed the operations of the Resident Advisory Council and Hospital Review Board and what entities the information they receive is shared with. Also discussed is the fact that staff eaves drop on the RAC meetings through the intercom system. Members discussed how unfair it is that all residents must suffer when one or two break the rules, such as having contraband brought into the facility, or abusing the use of computers. The one(s) committing the crimes should be reprimanded. Everyone shouldn’t lose their rights to certain privileges. One family member also brought to everyone’s attention that there are security cameras in the bathrooms, which is an invasion of visitors’ privacy. The over sensitivity of the metal detector was discussed (how women have to remove their undergarments if they have an under wire on and are not allowed to put it back on before entering the visitation room). It was also mentioned that others who go to the Moose Lake facility need to let us know when they go through these kinds of incidences so that we can act upon it more productively. Holding Family Advisory Council meetings at the Moose Lake facility was discussed. One member was wondering who would be in attendance at these meetings at the facility. Transition was a topic discussed. Members mentioned how family members need to be involved, so that residents have someone to talk to. Dwyer stated that this is Family Therapy and that it has been discussed that family members and other loved ones be actively involved in the treatment process. In this way, residents will have support persons when they are released. One member asked if family members can bring topics of discussion or concerns to the Hospital Review Board. Dwyer explained that the HRB is only for residents within the facility. So, who do family members go for answers or help? Treatment Program refurbishing was something discussed. We need to have individualized treatment for each type of sexual offense. One-on-one therapy is definitely needed. Family members need to be involved in the group sessions in order to learn how to relate to the residents in a more effective manner. This is the only way we can become effective support persons. Current treatment group facilitators tend to belittle residents when they talk in groups, which in turn frustrates, embarrasses and dehumanizes residents to the point they don’t want to discuss anything any more. Then residents are considered to be holding back or being secretive. This must change! Groups also need to be smaller so that each resident has a chance to speak. When one or two residents tend to take control of the sessions, then others do not get a chance to speak what they have to say. Perhaps only allotting a certain amount of time for each resident would be helpful. In this way, when their time is up, each resident will have had a chance to talk before the group session is over. No one would be held up because someone else needs more help or hogs the time. Residents are fearful to even speak to family members about certain things because they don’t know if they will get punished for whatever they talk about or not. There is WAY too much fear, which makes residents very guarded. Staff members are not appropriately trained for charting in MEDICAL files for residents. Very punitive things have been charted, as well as outright lies, in order to make residents look bad. This can be very detrimental when residents go before the three-judge panel. Even the National Guard back in 2001 stated that the facility seemed more like a prison rather than a treatment facility. Margretta spoke to us regarding Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. How staff and other administrative members take things to extremes (such as gray areas). CBT can be very effective if used appropriately. Material on this type of treatment was passed around for each members review. We discussed again holding meetings in the Moose Lake facility. Concern was shown for those of us who cannot afford the gas money to travel such a distance for the meetings. This is why we have been holding the meetings in a central location for everyone. A time line for treatment was discussed. Material on the treatment program received from Rick Harry by one Family Council Member was discussed. A letter will be written in response to Mr. Harry regarding this information on the program. |
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