Adapting Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for Correctional Settings: A Path to Rehabilitation and Emotional Well-Being

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an evidenced-based talk therapy originally designed to help people with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Over the years, its benefits have expanded to help those dealing with a variety of disorders, including anxiety, depression, trauma, and substance use.

DBT helps people learn to manage overwhelming feelings, develop healthier coping mechanisms, improve relationships, and navigate difficult situations. It’s particularly effective for those who struggle with emotional regulation and self-destructive behaviors. 

DBT was created by Marsha Linehan in the 1980s and is based on four key skills: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. These skills can be especially helpful in correctional settings, where people are often surrounded by conflict, stress, and emotional turmoil.

1. Mindfulness: Mindfulness involves staying present and aware of the moment without judgment. In a correctional setting, this can help incarcerated persons recognize their thoughts and feelings as they arise, rather than reacting impulsively. Mindfulness gives people the ability to pause and consider their actions before responding to a situation, making it easier to choose healthier behaviors.
2. Distress Tolerance: Correctional facilities are full of stressful situations that can trigger strong emotions like anger, fear, and anxiety. DBT teaches individuals how to cope with these emotions without turning to harmful behaviors, such as violence, substance abuse, or self-harm. This is especially important in correctional settings, where managing stress and negative emotions is essential for safety and well-being.
3. Emotional Regulation: Many incarcerated individuals struggle with intense emotions, and they may not have developed healthy ways to cope. DBT helps them understand and manage these feelings, reducing the likelihood of emotional outbursts or violent actions. Learning emotional regulation can lead to fewer conflicts, better relationships with fellow inmates and staff, and a calmer overall environment.
4. Interpersonal Effectiveness: Building healthy relationships in a correctional environment can be challenging, but it’s necessary for both rehabilitation and reintegration into society. DBT helps individuals learn how to communicate effectively, set boundaries, and resolve conflicts without resorting to aggression. These skills are valuable in managing relationships with other inmates, correctional officers, and even family members, which makes reentry into society easier once they’re released.

Individuals incarcerated in jails and prisons often experience extreme stress, isolation, and violence. Many come from backgrounds of trauma, abuse, or neglect, which contribute to difficulties in managing emotions and behaviors. Traditionally, correctional systems have focused more on punishment than rehabilitation, with little emphasis on addressing the root causes of criminal behavior. As a result, many individuals cycle in and out of the prison system without receiving the necessary treatment for their emotional struggles, which leads to high recidivism rates.

DBT offers a different approach, focusing on helping incarcerated individuals understand and manage their feelings. Instead of simply trying to control behavior, DBT teaches people to deal with emotions like anger, frustration, and shame in healthier ways. This gives individuals the tools to improve their emotional well-being and behavior, both in prison and once they’re released.

While DBT has shown success in traditional therapeutic environments, adapting it for prisons and jails comes with unique challenges. Correctional settings are strict, with tight schedules, limited resources, and heightened security concerns. These factors can make it difficult to provide therapy in the way DBT was originally designed. However, DBT can be adapted to work within these constraints.

1. Group Therapy: In correctional settings, individual therapy may not always be possible due to staff shortages or other logistical issues. Group therapy offers an effective alternative, allowing inmates to learn from each other and practice DBT skills in a social context. It also provides a sense of community, which is crucial in a setting where isolation and disconnection are common.
2. Focus on Skills Training: Given the time limitations and restricted access to resources in jails and prisons, DBT programs often emphasize teaching practical skills over long-term therapy. These skill-building sessions are designed to provide immediate, actionable tools that incarcerated individuals can use to manage their emotions, reduce stress, and improve their behavior. Focusing on practical skills also makes DBT more accessible and relevant for those in correctional environments.
3. Flexible Scheduling: Inmates often lack flexibility with their schedules, with obligations like work assignments, court appearances, and lockdowns. This makes it difficult for them to attend therapy regularly. To address this, DBT programs in correctional settings may offer shorter sessions or have more flexibility in scheduling. Offering supplemental materials, like handouts or video resources, can help inmates stay engaged with DBT even if they miss a session.
4. Creating a Safe Space: Trust is a critical element in any therapeutic process, but it can be difficult to establish in prison, where fear and distrust are common. DBT therapists must work hard to create a safe, non-judgmental environment where incarcerated persons feel comfortable sharing their feelings and experiences. This requires setting clear boundaries, maintaining confidentiality, and fostering an atmosphere of respect.

When DBT is implemented in jails and prisons, it can have a significant positive impact on incarcerated individuals. Many report improved emotional regulation, reduced impulsivity, and fewer instances of aggressive behavior. Since DBT addresses the root causes of criminal behavior, such as trauma and mental health struggles, it can help individuals understand and heal from the past, which ultimately makes them less likely to reoffend.

DBT also equips incarcerated persons with the skills needed to build better relationships, both inside and outside of prison. Effective communication, setting boundaries, and conflict resolution are key to maintaining healthy relationships, whether with fellow inmates, correctional staff, or family members. These skills are crucial for successful reintegration into society once someone is released.

As the criminal justice system continues to evolve, there’s a growing focus on rehabilitation and DBT is well-positioned to play a key role in this shift, offering incarcerated individuals the tools they need to break the cycle of reoffending.

In the future, DBT could become an integral part of correctional systems, helping individuals manage their feelings, improve their relationships, and develop the skills they need to reintegrate into society. With its emphasis on emotional regulation and practical coping strategies, DBT offers hope for reducing recidivism and helping incarcerated persons lead healthier, more fulfilling lives after their release.

DBT is a powerful tool for helping incarcerated persons address the emotional and behavioral challenges they face while in jail or prison. By equipping individuals in correctional settings with the tools to change their behavior and improve their emotional well-being, DBT offers a path to rehabilitation and successful reintegration into society. As the criminal justice system moves toward a more rehabilitative approach, DBT can play an essential role in transforming the lives of incarcerated persons and reducing recidivism.

Training

• 2025 Cohort | Comprehensive Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
• LIVE: Introduction to Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Blog Post

• Navigating the Intersection of Mental Health and Incarceration

Research

• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Skills in a Correctional Facility
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy within the Risk Need Responsivity Framework Reduces Recidivism