Describes inmate personality characteristics and paradoxical techniques used in 4 interventions in a prison psychiatric facility. The cases of male inmates involved malingering, possible suicide, parental problem behaviors, and manipulation of the system. It is suggested that in selected cases, paradoxical strategies tap the client's strengths, help avoid adversarial relationships and power struggles, and produce change quickly. (12 ref) (APA PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)