Game over: Strategies for Redirecting Inmate Deception

by Bill Elliott, Vicki Verdeyen

ACA, paperback, references, index, unmarked, bk/VG

204 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Kalem Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Game Over examines criminal attitudes, behaviors and beliefs through regularly observed cognitions and attempts to coerce and exploit others; it is based on the authors’ then-fifty-plus years of experience working with offenders in a mental health capacity. It incorporates thinkers versed in Transactional Analysis, sociology, reality therapy and criminology and expands upon them. They argue that effectively and appropriately modeling direct and honest communication provides inmates with prosocial models for establishing post-release behaviors upon. The book explores in depth potential motivations, cultural considerations within prisons and other intangible benefits that inmates may enjoy through manipulation and explores the strategies inmates utilize in great depth. Utilizing a great breadth of case examples, the authors demonstrate the strategies in action although could benefit from distinction from one another. Strikingly, the authors fix their critical gaze upon unique issues for female inmates although they don’t demonstrate any such nuance for racial or sexual orientation concerns. Finally, the authors offer concrete strategies for preventing and mitigating impact from manipulative clients. The authors might appear fatalistic on their face when they argue that criminal cognitions and cultures are inherent to prisons and argue for a staggeringly enormous volume of antisocial and psychotic features and traits among inmates but offer a qualified endorsement of hope for change. An absolutely brilliant book for anyone whose work will intersect with mandated populations.

[Isabelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting look at different kinds of inmate deception and strategies for staff at prison facilities to avoid and/or redirect manipulation. I had to read this for my PSYC425 class, but it is by far not the worst school-related book, even this year.