FRONTLINE SERVICES

Correction and Rehabilitation of Penitent Offenders

Objective: To effect the rehabilitation and reintegration of probationers,

parolees, pardonees, and first-time minor drug offenders as productive,
law abiding and socially responsible members of the community through

1. well-planned supervision programs for probationers,

parolees, pardonees, and first-time minor drug offenders
which are aligned to national program thrusts of the
government, such as, the SarilingSikap, Jail Decongestion,
etc.
2. establishment of innovative and financially and technically
feasible projects for the moral, spiritual and economic
upliftment of probationers, parolees, pardonees, and first-time
minor drug offenders utilizing available community resources.

Scope and Beneficiaries: All offenders granted probation, parole, pardon

and suspended sentence.

The Administration has adopted a harmonized and integrated treatment

program for these clients to effect their rehabilitation. This harmonized and
integrated program involves (1) The Therapeutic Community Modality (2) The
Restorative Justice Principles and Concepts and (3) the Use of Volunteer
Probation Aides (VPAs).

The Therapeutic Community Modality 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. As a treatment model, it includes four (4) categories, namely,
behavior management, intellectual/spiritual aspect, emotional and social aspects,
and vocational/survival aspects.

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 In this regard, the Therapeutic Community Modality provides a well-defined
structure for a synchronized and focused implementation of the various
intervention strategies/activities undertaken by the Agency such as:

1. Individual and group counseling

This activity intends to assist the clients in trying to sort out their
problems, identify solutions, reconcile conflicts and help resolve
them. This could be done either by individual or group interaction
with the officers of the Agency.

2. Moral, Spiritual, Values Formation

Seminars, lectures or trainings offered or arranged by the Agency

comprise these rehabilitation activities. Active NGOs, schools, civic
and religious organizations are tapped to facilitate the activities.

3. Work or Job Placement/Referral

Categorized as an informal program wherein a client is referred for

work or job placement through the officer’s own personal effort,
contact or information.

4. Vocational/Livelihood and Skills Training

The program includes the setting up of seminars and skills training

classes 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
availed of such as refrigeration, automotive mechanic,
radio/television and electronics repairs, tailoring, dressmaking, basic
computer training, etc. through coordination with local barangays,
parish centers, schools and civic organizations.

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5. 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.

6. Literacy and Education

In coordination with LGU programs, adult education classes are

availed of 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.
Likewise, linkages with educational Foundation, other GOs and
NGOs are regularly done for free school supplies, bags and uniform
for client’s children and relatives.

7. Community Service

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.

8. Client Self-Help Organization

This program takes the form of cooperatives and client associations

wherein the clients form cooperatives and associations as an
economic group to venture on small-scale projects. Similarly, client

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 associations serve another purpose by providing some structure to
the lives of clients where they re-learn the basics of working within a
group with hierarchy, authority and responsibility much like in the
bigger society.

9. Payment of Civil Liability

The 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.

10. Environment and Ecology

To 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 campaign, organic farming, waste management,
segregation and disposal and proper care of the environment.

11. Sports and Physical Fitness

Activities 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, provide an enjoyable and healthful respite.

The success of the Therapeutic Community treatment model is also

anchored on the implementation of restorative justice. To highlight the principles
of restorative justice, offenders are recognized to indemnify victims and render
community services to facilitate the healing of the broken relationship caused by
offending the concerned parties. Mediation and conferencing are also utilized in
special cases to mend and/or restore clients’ relationship with their victim and the
community.

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 Considering that it is in the community that the rehabilitation of clients
takes place, the utilization of therapeutic community treatment model coupled
with the principles of restorative justice would be further energized with the
recruitment, training and deployment of Volunteer Probation Aides (VPAs). The
VPA program is a strategy to generate maximum participation of the citizens in
the community-based program of probation and parole. Through the VPAs, the
substance of restorative justice is pursued with deeper meaning since the VPAs
are residents of the same community where the clients they supervise reside.
Thus, it is practicable for the volunteers to solicit support for clients’ needs and
assist the field officers in supervising the probationers, parolees, and pardonees.

The Therapeutic Community treatment modality, Restorative Justice

paradigm and deployment of VPAs integrated into one rehabilitation program
have yielded tremendous outcome in the rehabilitation and reformation of
probationers, parolees, pardonees, and first-time minor drug offenders.

Furthermore, the Agency believes that the client’s family is a major part or
support in the rehabilitation process, thus the Administration adopts the
Integrated Allied Social Services program to address the needs of the children
and other minor dependent of the clients. Under the said program, interventions
relative to the growth and development of the minor dependents are done to help
them become productive, law abiding and effective individuals.

WHAT IS TC?
The Therapeutic Community (TC) is an environment that helps people get
help while helping others. It is a treatment environment: the interactions of its
members are designed to be therapeutic within the context of the norms that
require for each to play the dual role of client-therapist. At a given moment, one
may be in a client role when receiving help or support from others because of a
problem behavior or when experiencing distress. At another time, the same
person assumes a therapist role when assisting or supporting another person in
trouble.

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HOW DOES TC LOOK LIKE?
The operation of the community itself is the task of the residents, working
under staff supervision. Work assignments, called “job functions” are arranged in
a hierarchy, according to seniority, individual progress and productivity. These
include conducting all house services, such as cooking, cleaning, kitchen service,
minor repair, serving as apprentices and running all departments, conducting
meetings and peer encounter groups.

The TC 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 TC.
There are sets of rules and community norms that members upon entry commit
to live by and uphold.

WHAT ARE THE SALIENT FEATURES OF TC?

1. The primary “therapist” and teacher is the community itself, consisting of

peers and staff, who, as role models of successful personal change, serve
as guides in the recovery process.

2. TC adheres to precepts of right living: Truth/honesty; Here and now;

Personal responsibility for destiny; Social responsibility (brother’s keeper);
Moral Code; Inner person is “good” but behavior can be “bad”; Change is
the only certainty; Work ethics; Self-reliance; Psychological converges with
philosophical (e.g. guilt kills)

3. It believes that TC is a place where: One can change – unfold; the group
can foster change; individuals must take responsibility; structures must
accommodate this; Act as if – go through the motion.

4. There are 5 distinct categories of activity that help promote the change:
 Relational/Behavior Management

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  Affective/Emotional/Psychological

 Cognitive/Intellectual

 Spiritual

 Psychomotor/Vocational-Survival Skills

These tools serve more than just the purpose of curbing unproductive
behavior. They are also a means used for enforcing community sanctions on
behavior that undermine the safety and integrity of the community such as
violations of the cardinal rules of TC: NO drugs, NO violence or threat of
violence, NO sexual acting out and NO stealing! Everything an officer does is
meant to erase “street behavior” and to lead the offender to be committed to
“right living”.

When the office gives seminars and tutorials, arranges activities focused
on the Higher Power, conducts games, educational trips and other recreational
activities, we touch on the TC aspect of Intellectual and Spiritual Dimension.
Aside from the role of a direct supervisor, the VPAs may be the invited resource
persons, donors/sponsors, facilitators, lecturers, etc. during these seminars.

The skills training and livelihood activities fall within the purview of TC’s
Vocational and Survival Skills, so with Medical/Dental Clinics and Environmental
Conservation activities. In this aspect, the VPAs can facilitate job placement and
can tap community resources for clients social and physical needs.

Therapeutic Community is a tool that the Administration uses to prepare

the client for reintegration to the community as a reformed, rehabilitated,
productive, drug-free and law abiding person.

WHAT IS THE TC MISSION?

To promote human and social transformation among our clients and
among ourselves.

WHAT IS THE TC VISION?

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 By the end of this decade, TC shall have become the corporate culture of
the Parole and Probation Administration permeating its plans, programs, and
practices, and confirming its status as a model component of the Philippine
Correctional System.

Bureau of Jail Management and Penology

Implementation of the Therapeutic Community
Modality Program

1. Introduction

The criminal justice in the Philippines recognizes the significance of

rehabilitation and reintegration of convicted felons in the community. Evidently,
Correction, being one of the pillars of Philippine Criminal Justice System (PCJS)
adopted various rehabilitation programs such as the following:
(a) Moral and Spiritual Program;
(b) Education and Training Program;
(c) Work and Livelihood Program;
(d) Sports and Recreation Program;
(e) Health and Welfare Program; and
(f) Behavior Modification Program, to include Therapeutic Community (TC)

Philippine Correctional pillar is composed of various institutions. The

Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) is one among the correctional
bodies which exercises supervision and control over all district, city and
municipal jails. The Bureau envisions itself as a dynamic institution highly
regarded for its sustained humane safekeeping and development of inmates
(Section 2, BJMP Manual 2015). Of this, it incorporated Therapeutic Community
and Modality Program (TCMP) as a model in the implementation of Inmates
Welfare and Development. Therapeutic Community within the realm of BJMP, of
which this study is focused, is defined by the Philippine Department of Justice as
an environment that helps people get help while helping others. It is a treatment
environment: the interactions of its members are designed to be therapeutic
within the context of the norms that require for each to play the dual role of client-
therapist. TC helps promote change specifically on relational or behavior
management; affective, emotional, or psychological; cognitive, intellectual, or
spiritual and psychomotor or vocational-survival skills. The correction-based
therapeutic community (TC) is a widely described treatment modality for
(originally on substance abusing) offenders (Hiller, Knight & Simpson, 1999;
Lurigio, 2000). Its origins can be traced back to two major independent traditions:
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the American drug-free hierarchical concept-based TC and the British democratic
Maxwell Jones-type TC (De Leon, 2000; Kennard, 1998). De Leon (2010) and
Sacks, Chaple, Sacks, McKendrick, & Cleland (2012) said that TC focuses on
changing negative patterns of thought and behavior and on building self-efficacy
so participants learn to think of themselves as the primary drivers of their own
change process. TC participants are encouraged to be accountable for their
behaviors and to set goals for their own personal well-being, positive participation
in the broader community, and life after leaving treatment. An important
therapeutic goal is to help people identify, express, and manage their feelings in
appropriate and positive ways. In group activities, participants focus on behaving
in ways that are acceptable in the TC community rather than how they behaved
in the past. TC is a tool that the Parole and Probation Administration uses to
prepare the client for reintegration to the community as a reformed, rehabilitated,
productive, drug-free and law abiding person.

Some prisons have incorporated therapeutic communities modified for the

special needs of offenders, and a growing number of community TC programs
are providing aftercare for people released from prison (Wexler & Prendergast,
2010). TCs for offenders differ from other TCs in several ways (Wexler &
Williams, 1986). As with all offenders, inmates participating in a TC must work
during their incarceration. However, they also spend 4 to 5 hours each weekday
in treatment (Sacks, Sacks, McKendrick, Banks, & Stommel, 2004), with an
emphasis placed on living honestly, developing self-reliance, learning to manage
their strong emotions (e.g., anger), and accepting responsibility for their actions
(Wexler & Prendergast, 2010). Hence, inprison TCs emphasize role models to
show "right living" and use peer influence to reinforce changes in attitudes and
behavior.

Eight Significant Criminal Risk Factors

 Antisocial Behavior - Inability to avoid criminal activity when placed in

high-risk situations.
 Antisocial Personality - Displays impulsive, exploitative, aggressive, or
manipulative behavior.
 Criminal Thinking - Attitudes, values, and beliefs that can lead to crime.
 Antisocial Relationships - Association with other criminal actors and
isolation from noncriminal actors.
 Family and Marital Status - Poor relationships with family and/or spouse.
 School and Work Status - Low performance, involvement, and satisfaction
with school and/or work.
 Leisure and Recreational Activities - Low involvement or satisfaction with
activities that are not associated with criminal involvement.
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  Substance Use - Problems with alcohol and/or other drugs.
State Funds Various In-Prison Rehabilitation Programs

As discussed in greater detail later in this report, upon admission to prison,

CDCR assesses inmates’ rehabilitative needs and assigns them to programs.
The state funds six categories of in-prison rehabilitation programs within CDCR.
(As discussed in the nearby box, there are also various nonstate funded
rehabilitation programs offered at prisons.) These programs can be operated by
CDCR employees, other governmental employees, private entities, or nonprofits.
These categories are:

1. Academic Education. Academic education programs include

adult basic education, General Education Development (GED)
certification, the high school diploma program, and various
college programs. State law requires inmates with low literacy
scores to attend adult basic education programs.
2. Career Technical Education (CTE). CTE programs provide job
training for various career sectors, including masonry, carpentry,
and auto repair.
3. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT programs are
designed to help offenders change the patterns of behavior that
led to criminal activity. Specifically, these programs provide
various forms of therapy to address rehabilitative needs—such as
criminal thinking and anger management—that, if left
unaddressed, can increase the likelihood of recidivism.
4. Employment Preparation. Employment preparation programs
provide employment skills, such as job readiness and job search
techniques, for inmates up to six months prior to their release in
order to aid their transition back into society.
5. Substance Use Disorder Treatment (SUDT). SUDT programs
focus on helping inmates treat their substance use disorders,
avoid relapse, and successfully reintegrate into society. Unlike for
other rehabilitation programs which inmates generally attend on a
voluntary basis, CDCR requires certain inmates who are caught
using alcohol or illegal substances while in prison to attend SUDT
programs.
6. Arts-in-Corrections. Arts-in-Corrections programs focus on
providing inmates with arts programs ranging from theatre to
creative writing.
7. Innovative Programming Grants. Innovative programming grants
provide limited-term funding to support various volunteer-run
programs—such as prison gardening programs and mentorship
projects—at certain prisons.
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