Inmates' Perception of the Helpfulness of Three Counselor Responses

Abstract

The use of a Carkhuff level 3 response, a Carkhuff level 5 response, and probing with regard to their perceived helpfulness was investigated by having inmates view a videotape of eight role-played counselor-inmate interactions. Each interaction consisted of the statement of a problem by a role-playing inmate followed by three separate responses to the statement by a role-playing counselor. Subjects were 94 inmates in a prerelease and aftercare services program who ranked the counselor responses of each interaction from "most helpful" to "least helpful." The level 5 response was perceived as the most helpful response, followed by probing and then the level 3 response. Implications of the findings are discussed and suggestions for future research are made.