Now, when offenders are admitted to a CMPR, the psychiatrists introduce them to quasi-traditional therapeutic techniques that will teach them how to help themselves for example, visualization therapy, interpretive psychotherapy, support therapy, and individual or group relaxation. A new technique that has emerged in recent years uses the body as a means of expression. A biofeedback therapist shows the patient how the body can be used in non-aggressive and respectful ways when interacting with others. According to the author, the medical-psychological centres have allowed the French prison system to respond more effectively to the special needs of mentally ill inmates. The agreement on prison sentences that was concluded in 1969 among 26 Swiss cantons provided for the establishment of special institutions for mentally ill patients.
Inmates can now stay at the facility, rather than visit on a daily basis to attend the program.
In order to be admitted to the program, inmates must apply to the management of the centre and of the prison where they are incarcerated. The majority of the patients treated at the centre are impulsive, are violent repeat offenders, display sexual deviance, anxiety and depression, and feel they have not accomplished anything in life. The major crimes of inmates who have stayed at the centre for more than four months since its opening have been murder, attempted murder, serious bodily injury, sex offences, arson, robbery, property offences and drug offences. The main objective of the program is to teach offenders to take responsibility for themselves. The first step is to require the inmates to make a commitment to the program.