Exploring Therapeutic Communities for Offender Rehabilitation

School
Batangas State University**We aren't endorsed by this school
Course
BS CRIM CA103
Subject
Psychology
Date
Dec 10, 2024
Pages
5
Uploaded by ChiefSeaUrchin2071
1 Therapeutic Modalities (CA 103) Chapter 2 Therapeutic Community The Philippine correctional administration adopted two approaches for treatment of offenders. These are the institutional- based treatment program and the community-based treatment programs. These programs aimed towards the improvement of offender’s attitude and philosophy of life. Reformation and rehabilitation of inmates as well as preparation for the reintegration in community are the ultimate goals of the programs. Prison inmates are some of the most disturbed and unstable people in society. Most of the inmates have had too little discipline or too much come from broken homes and have no self-esteem. They are very insecure and are at war with themselves as well with society. Most inmates did not learn moral values or learn to follow everyday norms. In order to rehabilitate criminals we must do more than just send them to prison (Manwong, 2006). A treatment that could give them a chance to acquire job skills which will improve the chances that inmates will become productive citizen upon release. The programs must aim to change those want to change. Those who are taught to produce useful goods and to be productive are likely to develop the self-esteem essential to a normal integrated personality. This kind of program would provide many useful skills and habits and replace the sense of hopelessness that many inmates have. (Manwong 2006) Important for a prisoner is to have a will to change himself and then giving him support to improve. Many of them do not know how to start a new life such therapeutic Community Programs are the way, and they can enlighten their future life. (www.howtodothings.com). The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) has adopted Therapeutic Community Modality Program” or TCMP as a new approach to inmate management that requires new glossary of terms relative to felons and introduction of a new way of life in confinement As set by the BJMP, the Therapeutic Community is a self help social learning treatment model used to client with problems of drug abuse and other behavioral
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2 problems such as alcoholism, stealing and other anti-social tendencies as well as working with special group of individual like those in jails. As a treatment model, it includes four categories, namely behavior management, intellectual and spiritual aspects, emotional and psychological aspects and vocational or survival aspects. Therapeutic Community utilizes the “community” as a vehicle to foster behavioral and attitudinal change. In this model, the client receives the information and impetus to change from being part of the community. The expectation that the community places on its individual members reflects not only the needs of individual, but also the social and support needs of the community. This community mode provides social expectations, which are parallel to the social demands that the clients will confront upon discharge to their home community.Historically, the term "therapeutic community" (TC) has been used for several different forms of treatment - sanctuaries, residential group homes and even special schools - and for several different conditions, including mental illness, drug abuse and alcoholism. For example, the British TC emerged primarily as a process for treating military veterans as they returned from World War II with serious neurotic conditions from their experiences in combat and as prisoners of war. The term was coined when Thomas Main pioneered a therapeutic model combining community therapy with ongoing psychoanalytic psychotherapy in 1946. This was a modification of therapeutic work developed about the same time by Maxwell Jones and several others. As defined by the Bureau of Correction, the Therapeutic Community (TC) Program represents an effective, highly structured environment with defined boundaries, both moral and ethical. The primary goal is to foster personal growth. This is accomplished by reshaping an individual’s behavior and attitudes through the inmates’ community working together to help themselves and each other, restoring self confidence, and preparing them for their re-integration into their families and friends as productive members of the community.What is a Therapeutic Community? The Therapeutic Community is an environment that helps people get help while helping others. It is a treatment environment: the interactions of its members
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3 are designed to be therapeutic within the context of the norms that require for each to play the dual role of client-therapist (Probation.gob.ph n.d.). It is a vehicle to foster behavioral and attitudinal change. The expectations that it places on its individual members reflects not only the needs of the individual but also the social and support needs of the community. It also provides social expectations, which are parallel to the social demands that the client will confront upon discharge to their home communities (BJMP, 2010). The therapeutic Community operates in a similar fashion to a functional family with a hierarchical structure of older and younger members. Each member has a defined role and responsibilities for sustaining the proper functioning of the Therapeutic Community. There are set of rules and community norms that members upon entry commit to live by and uphold (Probation.gov.ph, n.d.). The Philippines is employing Therapeutic Community Modality (TCM) to effect the rehabilitation and reintegration of probationers, parolees, pardonees, first-time minor drug offenders (PPA, n.d.), and PDLs (BJMP, 2015) as productive, law-abiding and socially responsible members of the community. TCM is a self-help social learning treatment model used for clients with problems of drug abuse and other behavioral problems such as alcoholism, stealing, and other anti-social tendencies (PPA, n.d.). it provides dynamic “mutual self-help” environment in which residents transmit or reinforce one another’s acceptance of and conformity with the highly structured and stringent expectations of the community (Bez, 2020). A central part of the therapeutic community treatment model is a structure board that has many job functions. The lines of responsibility or chain of command of the structure board are clearly marked and must be followed. Participants will be taught the different job functions as thoroughly as possible so they may understand how the community operates. Activities in Therapeutic Community Modality The therapeutic Community Modality provides a well-defined structure for a synchronized and focused implementation of the various intervention strategies/activities such as (PPA, n.d.): Individual and Group Counseling The activity intends to assist the clients in trying to sort out their problems, identify solutions, reconcile conflicts and help resolve them. This could be
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4 done either by individual or group interaction with the officers of the assigned agency. Moral, Spiritual, Values FormationSeminars, lectures or training offered or arranged by the designated agency comprise these rehabilitation activities. Active NGOs, schools, civic and religious organization are tapped to facilitate the activities. Work or Job Placement/ReferralCategorized as an informal program wherein a clients is referred for work or job placement through the officer’s own personal effort, contractor information. Vocational/Livelihood and Skills TrainingThe program includes the setting up of seminars and skills training class like food preservation and processing, candle making, novelty items and handicrafts making, etc., to help the clients earn extra income. Likewise, vocational and technical trade classes are available such as refrigeration, automotive mechanics, radio/television and electronics repairs, tailoring, dressmaking, basic computer training, etc. through coordination with local barangays, parish centers, schools and civic organizations. Health, Mental and Medical Services To address some of the basic needs of clients and their families, medical missions are organized to provide various forms of medical and health services including physical examination and treatment, free medicines and vitamins, dental examination and treatment, drug dependency test and laboratory examination. Psychological testing and evaluation as well as psychiatric treatment are likewise provided for by the Agency’s Clinical Services Division and if not possible by reason of distance, referrals are made to other government accredited institutions. Literacy and Education In coordination with LGU programs, adult education classes are available to help clients learn basic writing, reading and arithmetic. Likewise, literacy teach-ins during any sessions conducted for clients become part of the module. This is particularly intended for clients who are “no read, no write” to help them become functionally literate,
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5 Likewise, linkages with Educational Foundation, other GO’s and NGOs are regularly done for free school supplies, bags and uniform for client’s children relatives. Community Services This program refers to the services in the community rendered by clients for the benefit of society. It includes tree planting, beautification drives, cleaning and greening of surroundings, maintenance of public parks and places, garbage collection, blood donation and similar socio-civic activities. Client Self-Help Organization This program takes the form of cooperatives and client associations wherein the clients form cooperatives and associations as a economic group to venture on small-scale projects. Similarly, clients associations serve another purpose by providing some structure to the lives of clients where they re-learn the basic of working within a group with hierarchy, authority and responsibility much like in the bigger society. Payment of Civil LiabilityThe payment of civil liability or indemnification to victims of offenders are pursued despite the economic status of clients. Payment of obligations to the victims instills in the minds of the clients their responsibility and the consequences of the harm they inflicted to others. Environment and Ecology Awareness ProgramsTo instill awareness and concern in preserving ecological balance and environmental health, seminars/lectures are conducted wherein clients participate. These seminars/lectures tackle anti-smoke belching campaigns, organic farming, waste management, segregation and disposal and proper care of the environment. Sports and Physical FitnessActivities that provide physical exertion like sports, games and group play are conducted to enhance the physical well-being of clients. Friendly competition of clients from the various offices of the sectors, together with the officers, provides enjoyable and healthful respite.
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