San Quentin Group Therapy?? The Oxymoron of the Century

This is not only one of the saddest, damning and most ironic photos I’ve ever seen, but it’s a process I, as a clinical psychologist, would refuse to participate in. The photo was taken by Reuters photographer Lucy Nicholson who, according to the post and larger photo set at MSNBC, was afforded rare access to the San Quentin prison. The caption:

Administrative segregation prisoners take part in a group therapy session at San Quentin state prison in San Quentin, California, on June 8, 2012. All photos made available to msnbc.com on July 11, 2012.

I don’t care how dangerous these guys are, there must be some way to insure safety (and crucial dignity) in a therapy process that doesn’t involve “sharing” through a cage.

(photo: Lucy Nicholson/Reuters)