TTLA: Counseling activities by correctional officers for inmates in prisons under the Ministry of Public Security.

1. Full name of the doctoral candidate:Le Thu Trang2. Gender:Female

3. Date of birth:September 14, 19854. Place of birth:Vinh City - Nghe An

5. Decision to admit doctoral students:Decision No. 3253/2016/QD-XHNV dated September 30, 2016

6. Changes in the training process:Do not have

7. Thesis title:Counseling activities by correctional officers for inmates in prisons under the Ministry of Public Security.

8. Major:Psychology9. Code: 62 31 04 01

10. Scientific supervisor:Prof. Dr. Tran Thi Minh Duc

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Thi Hong Thai

11. Summary of the new findings of the thesis:

- Theoretically: This is the first thesis in Vietnam to study the counseling activities of correctional officers as non-professional counselors in prisons. Based on numerous studies worldwide and smaller studies in Vietnam, this research serves as a supporting document for research and training on basic counseling in prisons. The description of educational and vocational training programs around the world provides suggestions for the Ministry of Public Security and Department C10 to consider in order to gradually develop vocational training programs for inmates suitable for the context of Vietnamese prisons in the future.

This thesis has initially developed a set of measurement tools for various aspects of non-professional counseling activities conducted by correctional officers in prisons. This suggests further research aimed at refining and improving these measurement tools.

• In practical terms:

The descriptive analysis results show that the counseling skills of correctional officers are still at a low level: correctional officers mainly ask closed-ended questions (questioning skills) and give advice based on their own subjective opinions (empathy skills).

The results of statistical analysis inferred from regression have found some trends predicting the influence on the counseling activities of prison guards: (1)Regarding the effectiveness of counselingThe more knowledgeable (and trained) correctional officers are about counseling and the more happy they feel in their work, the more likely they are to predict an increase in the effectiveness of counseling for inmates. (2)Regarding counseling skillsThe higher the sense of happiness in the work of correctional officers, the more likely it is to predict an increase in the skill of listening to inmates. Similarly, the higher the self-assessment of correctional officers, the more likely it is to predict an increase in the skill of providing information. (3)Regarding attitudes and ethics in interacting with prisoners.The higher the sense of job satisfaction among correctional officers, the more likely they are to show empathy towards inmates, accept inmates, and maintain better confidentiality when speaking with them. Conversely, the higher the self-esteem of correctional officers, the more likely they are to respect inmates' right to make decisions regarding their personal matters. (4)Aboutprofessional qualities, correctional officers who have a positive self-image and a high sense of happiness in their work are more likely to have increased self-confidence when counseling inmates. The sense of happiness in the work of correctional officers can increase their appreciation of the importance of professional qualities in general and specific professional qualities in particular. (5)Regarding consultation topics,Female correctional officers who have received counseling training and have a higher sense of job satisfaction are more likely to be able to provide counseling on topics related to the inmates' personal lives.

12. Practical applications:

This thesis provides interested parties with a diverse perspective on the issue of psychological support for inmates in Vietnamese prisons today.

13. Future research directions:

The research findings of this thesis provide a basis for the author and interested parties to conduct further research in a more systematic manner on aspects such as: 1/ Refinement of the questionnaire for evaluating counseling activities for inmates in prisons; 2/ Development of training methods to improve the counseling skills of correctional officers for inmates (in situations where correctional officers lack background knowledge in psychology, counseling, and psychotherapy); 3/ Research on the mental health of both inmates and correctional officers; 4/ Evaluation and development of programs to support inmates towards sustainable reintegration into the community; 5/ Development of the thesis into a reference document to support research and training on counseling in prisons.

14. Published works related to the dissertation:

1. Le Thu Trang (2017), “Assessment by prison officials of difficulties in counseling activities for inmates”,Proceedings of the First Regional Psychology Conference of Southeast Asia (RCP) 2017 with the theme "Human Happiness and Sustainable Development", November 2017, ISBN: 978 - 604 - 62 - 9913 - 4, p. 193 - 204.
2. Le Thu Trang (2018), “Some research directions on counseling activities for prisoners in the world”,Proceedings of the National Scientific Conference on Psychology and Sustainable Development, November 2018, ISBN: 978 - 604 - 89 - 5922 - 7, p. 435 - 444.
3. Le Thu Trang (2019), “Ethical aspects in counseling activities in prisons, International Conference on Psychology and Professional Ethics in Psychology”,Proceedings of the International Conference “Psychology and Professional Ethics in Psychology”, September 2019, ISBN: 978 - 604 - 65 - 4417 - 3, p. 655 - 659.
4. Le Thu Trang (2019), “Attitudes of correctional officers in supporting prisoners at prisons in northern provinces of Vietnam”,Proceedings of the International Conference “Psychology and Professional Ethics in Psychology”, September 2019, ISBN: 978 - 604 - 65 - 4417 - 3, p. 256 - 261.
5. Le Thu Trang (2019), “The role of information mastery level in the information provision skills of correctional officers in prisons for inmates”,Journal of Psychology (11), ISSN: 1859 - 0098, p. 86 - 97.
6. Le Thu Trang (2019), “Understanding of prison guards about inmates and counseling topics in prisons”,Journal of Social Psychology (12(ISSN: 0866 - 8019, p. 93 - 103.
7. Le Thu Trang (2019), “Understanding of correctional officers about difficulties in counseling activities in prisons”,Journal of Social Psychology(01), ISSN: 0866 - 8019, p. 108 - 117.

INFORMATION ON DOCTORAL THESIS

1.PhD candidate:Le Thu Trang2.Sex:Female

3.Date of birth: 14/09/1985                     4.Place of birth:Vinh - Nghe An

5.Decision number:3253/2016/QD – XHNV dated on September 30, 2016

6.Changes in the academic process:No

7.Official thesis title:Psychological counseling activities of prison officers for prisoners in the prison of the Ministry of Public Security

8.Wall:Journal9.E: 62 31 04 01

10. Supervisors:Prof. Dr. Tran Thi Minh Duc

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Thi Hong Thai

11. Summary of the new findings of the thesis:

- In terms of theory: This is the first thesis conducted in Vietnam about counseling activities of prison officers working as unspecialized officers in prison. From numerous studies conducted in Vietnam and in the world, the thesis is used as a supporting document for other research and basic training on consultation at prison. The descriptions of educational as well as vocational training programs in the world are suggestions for Department C10 of Ministry of Public Security on steps to organize suitable vocational programs for prisoners in a later Vietnamese prison's background.

The project initially develops a framework for the measurement of prison officers' unspecialized counseling activities in the prison, which recommends further research to adjust and improve the measurement.

• In terms of practice:

The descriptive analysis result indicates the prison officers' limited counseling skills: questions raised by prison officers are mostly close-ended questions (Questioning skills) and advice is given subjectively (Empathy skills).

Regression analysis result discovers trends which are predicted to affect the counseling activities of prison officers for prisoners in the prison: (1) With regard to the effectiveness of consulting, prison officers who have a basic knowledge about counseling (have learned about counseling) and higher level of satisfaction tend to have more ability to conduct effective consultations for prisoners. (2) Regarding psychological counseling skills, the higher job satisfaction of prison officers implies better listening skills. Similarly, prison counselors who have higher self-evaluation tend to perform skills of providing information better. (3) In terms of attitude and ethical aspects, prison counselors having higher job satisfaction show a better understanding of the prisoners, have a higher accepting ability and better performance on information security when talking to prisoners. specifically, the higher self-evaluation ability the counselors have, the higher possibility of respecting prisons' decisions on solving personal problems they show. (4) Regarding vocational quality, prison counselors having positive recognition about themselves with high job satisfaction indicates the escalation in their level of self-belief when consulting prisoners. The level of job satisfaction may enhance the prison counselors' evaluation in terms of the importance of both specialized professional capacity and general professional competence. (5) With regard to consulting topics, female prison counselors having learned about counseling and have high job satisfaction indicates the high ability to counseling about topics related to prisoners' private life.

12. Practical applicability:

The thesis provides a diverse insight into current psychological counseling activities for prisoners in the prison in Vietnam.

13. Suggestions research directions:

The thesis' result is the foundation to conduct further studies more scientifically in terms of: 1/ Improve the questionnaire evaluating the counseling activities of prison officers in the prison; 2/ Develop training methods with the aim of enhancing counseling skills of prison officers ( providing the prison officers haven't had a basic understanding of psychology; counseling and psychotherapy); 3/ Research on both prisoners and prison officers' psychological mental health; 4/Evaluate and develop programs aimed at assisting prisoners to reintegrate the community sustainably; 5/ Develop the thesis into reference assisting research and training about counseling in the prison.

14. Thesis – related publications:

1. Le Thu Trang (2017), “Evaluations of prison officers in terms of difficulties in counseling activities for prisoners”,The first Southeast Asia Regional Conference of Psychology with the topic"Human Well-being and Sustainable Development”, November 2017, ISBN: 978 - 604 - 62 - 9913 - 4, 193 - 204.
2. Le Thu Trang (2018), “Some research guidance on counseling activities for prisoners in the world”,National scientific conference of Psychology and Sustainable Development, November 2018, ISBN: 978 - 604 - 89 - 5922 - 7, 435 - 444.
3. Le Thu Trang (2019), “Ethical aspects of counseling activities in prison, International conference of Psychology and Professional Ethics”,International conference “Psychology and Professional Ethics”(9), ISBN: 978 - 604 - 65 - 4417 - 3, pp.655 - 659.
4. Le Thu Trang (2019), “Prison counsellors' attitude regarding assisting prisoners in prison in northern provinces in Vietnam”,International conference “Psychology and Professional Ethics”(9), ISBN: 978 - 604 - 65 - 4417 - 3, pp. 256 - 261.
5. Le Thu Trang (2019), “The role of information penetration level regarding prison officers' providing information to prisoners in prison skills”,The Journal of Psychology(11), ISSN: 1859 - 0098, pp. 86 - 97.
6. Le Thu Trang (2019), “The knowledge of prison officers about prisoners and counseling topics in prison”,The Journal of Social Psychology(12), ISSN: 0866 – 8019, pp.93 - 103.
7. Le Thu Trang (2019), “The knowledge of prison officers about difficulties in counseling activities in prison”,The Journal of Social Psycholog(1), ISSN: 0866 - 8019, pp.108 - 117.