Social Work in the Shadows: Forensic Social Work Ethics and Solitary Confinement

CE Hours 2.00

Live Interactive Webinar (VIRTUAL)

Date: Saturday, June 1st, 2024

Time: 10:00 am- 12:00 pm ET

Description

Social workers may know the NASW Code of Ethics and use it to drive ethical behaviors in practice but may not be proficient in resolving more complex ethical conflicts or dilemmas that often present in the practice setting. This workshop is designed for social workers who are interested in learning more about how to navigate ethical dilemmas, in particular, that of dual loyalty – a conflict between competing loyalties of the workplace and the client. The presenters include a person with lived experience on solitary confinement, Dr. Ali Winters, and Mary Buser, who will walk you through the dimensions of ethical practice highlighting the conflict between a social worker’s commitment to client versus their commitment to practice setting/employer. Through the combination of lecture, case example, guided questioning, and storytelling, the audience will be engaged in the resolution of this complex ethical dilemma and better understand the important nuances this type of ethical issue can raise.

Learning Objectives

1. Define an ethical dilemma, dual loyalty, and solitary confinement.

2. Articulate the dangers of prolonged solitary confinement and how this type of

   confinement is antithetical to social work ethics.

3. Develop an advanced understanding of how to use an ethical decision-making

   framework for resolving complex ethical conflicts and dilemmas.

Target Audience

This live interactive webinar is intended for behavioral health professionals, including Social Workers, Counselors, MFT's and Addiction Professionals.

Presenters

• Mary Buser, LCSW, Author, Co-Director of Social Workers & Allies Against Solitary Confinement

• Ali Winters, DSW, LCSW, Associate Professor of Practice, University of Tennessee

• Advisory Board Member of Social Workers & Allies Against Solitary Confinement (with lived experience)

Presenter Bios

Mary Buser, LCSW, is the author of the award-winning book, Lockdown on Rikers: Shocking Stories of Abuse and Injustice at New York’s Notorious Jail, which is based on her work as an assistant mental health chief at Rikers Island. After leaving Rikers, she became an advocate for the incarcerated, especially the mentally ill and those held in solitary confinement. She received her MSW from Columbia University and is the Co-director of Social Workers & Allies Against Solitary Confinement. 

Ali Winters, DSW, LCSW is an Associate Professor of Practice in the College of Social Work at the University of Tennessee. With over 30 years of direct social work practice experience, Dr. Winters’ primary areas of social work practice have been forensic social work in corrections and juvenile justice, direct trauma-based service delivery, program development and evaluation, and behavioral health in healthcare settings. Dr. Winters has also been active in providing clinical supervision and leadership since earning her LCSW in 2005. Her areas of research interest include mental health and solitary confinement, forensic social work ethics, trauma-informed care, and secondary traumatic stress. She has been a member of Social Workers & Allies Against Solitary Confinement since 2015.

CE Information

• For LCSWs/LMSWs: MPG Consulting LCSW, PLLC, SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #0119.

• For LMHCs: MPG Consulting LCSW, PLLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0044.

• For LMFTs: MPG Consulting LCSW, PLLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists. #MFT-0030.

• For LCATs: MPG Consulting LCSW, PLLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed creative arts therapists. #CAT-0024.

• For LPs (Psychoanalysts): MPG Consulting LCSW, PLLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychoanalysts. #P-0034.

If you are interested in taking this webinar NOT for CE credit, or this presents a financial burden, please reach out to swasc999@gmail.com.