I have a question or two about a situation.

[Ilsa]

A family member has been to a Texas prison for a "mild" act of violence (more like defiance) when under the influence. She had a number of other convictions for various substance abuse problems, some of which may be related to two brain aneurysms she had as a young woman (before abusing drugs).

She just entered a halfway house, and as a condition of family visitation, they have to attend a testimonial meeting of residents. My family members who attended felt like barfing during it.

Does anyone know about these requirements and whether why they are a legal requirement for family members to visit next-of-kin?

Does anyone know if a religious group has recently caused this to be a practice, or how it came into practice?

Thank you very much.

[KitchenWitch]

1. I went through rehab over 20 years ago in an inpatient program

Part of the program was "family week". This gave family members an opportunity to talk with the addict/alcoholic about how the addictive behavior affected those close to the person in rehab. It also gave the families a chance to plan for how to stay in recovery.

IIRC it was not mandatory for family members to attend these sessions.