Therapeutic Communities and the Criminal Justice System
Because of their severe and long-standing substance abuse histories, most therapeutic community clientele have been involved in the criminal justice system. Thus, it was very natural that both informal and formal linkages between therapeutic community programs and the juvenile and criminal justice agencies have evolved. Given therapeutic communities’ emphasis on habilitation, a natural part of our role has been to emphasize both attitude reshaping and skill development that would permit people to live within the law.
As our nation spends billions of dollars on new jail cells, it is acknowledged, in a 2010 study conducted by Columbia University in conjuction with the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA), that as many as 87% of inmates have serious drug abuse problems. Consequently, around the country, therapeutic practitioners have been invited within the walls of many correctional facilities and have developed and integrated innovative and successful programs.
Adaptation of Therapeutic Community Model to Treat Addicted Offenders
According to Dr. Harry K. Wexler, Ph.D., Senior Research Investigator at the National Development & Research Institutes, Inc., Center for the Integration of Research & Practice, through research findings and clinical observations there are certain indicators that show the successful adaptation of the therapeutic community model in treating the addicted offender.
These indicators are:
- A treatment approach based on a clear and consistent treatment philosophy.
- The establishment of an atmosphere of empathy and physical safety.
- The recruitment and retention of qualified and committed treatment staff.
- The specification of clear and unambiguous rules of conduct.
- The employment of the ex-offenders and recovering addicts as role models, staff, and volunteers.
- The use of peer role models and positive peer pressure.
- The maintenance of treatment programs' integrity, autonomy, flexibility, and openness.
- The isolation of residential programs from the rest of the prison population to diminish the highly negative influences of untreated inmates.
- The literature shows that 9 to 12 months is the minimum duration needed to produce reductions in recidivism, and;
- The establishment of continuity of care from treatment to community including empathy and physical safety.
TCA Criminal Justice Substance Abuse Colloquium - May 5, 2004