MAY 2005, VOLUME 33, NUMBER 1, Abstract 7
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Crime, and Trance
Meg Perkins, Psychologist
In late 1991, I was employed as the psychologist at a correctional centre in Queensland which housed a relatively large number of “lifers” – prisoners who had been given a mandatory life sentence after pleading guilty to, or being found guilty of, murder. Many of the lifers were approaching the date at which they would be eligible to apply for parole. After serving thirteen years in prison, they would be considered for parole, which if granted would continue for the rest of their lives.
The task was assigned to me to interview each of the lifers and to make an assessment as to whether they were suitable for parole. This assessment was to be based on such factors as their addressing the issues that led to the offending behaviour, the presence or absence of remorse in their presentation, and their ability to demonstrate empathy with the victim.
Throughout this short article, the word “the” is used rather than “his,” “her,” or “my” when referring to the victim or the crime. It seems singularly inappropriate to refer to “my victim” or “my abuser,” as is common practice. The “two people” do not belong together in any way. Those cases which are described in detail are taken from the notes of people who gave permission at the time for the material to be published. The pronoun “he” is used as the offenders are predominantly male.