THERAPEUTIC MODALITIES under the Department of Justice

Prepared by : Vanessa A. Villaroya (DOJ), which has control over the

Rcrim,MSCJ (i)
national penitentiary and its penal
farms, houses convicted offenders
MODALITIES IN THE TREATMENT OF
with prison sentences ranging from
OFFENDERS IN THE PHILIPPINES
three (3) years and one (1) day, to
Like many countries, the correctional system
life imprisonment.
in the Philippines has both an institution-
based and community-based component. It
THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITY MODALITY BY
also has separate treatment system for youth
PAROLE AND PROBATION
offenders and adult offenders. The custodial
ADMINISTRATION (PPA)
care of adult offenders is handled by the
following:
WHAT IS TC?
1. The Bureau of Jail Management and
The Therapeutic Community (TC) is
Penology (BJMP)-
an environment that helps people get help
under the Department of Interior and
while helping others. It is a treatment
Local Government (DILG) which has
environment: the interactions of its members
supervision over all district, city and
are designed to be therapeutic within the
municipal jails and detention centers.
context of the norms that require for each to
These jails house detainees awaiting
play the dual role of client-therapist. At a
judicial disposition of their case and
given moment, one may be in a client role
offenders whose sentence range
when receiving help or support from others
from one (1) day to three (3) years.
because of a problem behavior or when
2. The Provincial Governments-
experiencing distress. At another time, the
which have supervision and control
same person assumes a therapist role when
over provincial jails. These jails house
assisting or supporting another person in
court detainees and prisoners whose
trouble.
prison terms range from six (6)
months and one (1) day, to three (3)
HOW DOES TC LOOK LIKE?
years.
The operation of the community itself is the
3. The Bureau of Corrections
task of the residents, working under staff
(BUCOR)-
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 percepts of right living:
 Truth/honesty
 Here and now Personal
responsibility for destiny
 Social responsibility (brothers
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/Behavioral
Management
 Affective/emotional/
Psychological
 Cognitive/Intellectual
 Spiritual
 Psychomotor/Vocational-
Survival Skills
THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITY
MODALITY PROGRAM BY THE
BUREAU OF JAIL MANAGEMENT
AND PENOLOGY
PHASES OF TREATMENT
TCMP in the BJMP set up is quite
unique in the sense that inmates are
in custody while undergoing trial
for their individual cases. Their
length of stay is determined by how
fast is the disposition of their cases.
 The cases may be decided upon after
a short period of time or may last for
years. Though the different phases of
treatment is observed, it cannot be
fully implemented or may not be
followed as scheduled due to the
uniqueness of the status of the
residents.
Phase l- Entry/Orientation Phase
Once an inmate is committed to jail,
he undergoes a series of examination to
determine his physical, social and
psychological status. Upon commitment, a
resident is placed on orientation at the
Reception and Diagnostic room/Orientation
Room. In here, he is acquainted with the TC
program:
- The rules and norms of the
community
- TC concepts, written and unwritten
philosophy
- The staff and he members of the
community
- The tools of the house
- Job functions and TC hierarchy
He is then assigned a static group and
a big brother who will provide him with
support and will walk him through the
orientation phase. At this phase, the resident
is handled gently and is expected to commit
mistakes in the process of learning the
program. Sanctions on negative behavior are
usually light with emphasis on teaching.
Phase ll- Primary Treatment
After proper orientation on the
different TC concepts and tools the norms
and rules of the community and the staff
members, the resident is now ready to
undergo the treatment proper. He becomes
a part of the community starting as a crew
member of the housekeeping department
until he gradually ascends in the hierarchy.
He must be knowledgeable on the following:
1. Proper use of the different
tools to address personal
issues and concerns and shape
behavior
2. Managing own feelings and
learning how to express self
appropriately
3. Learning how to follow the
rules and norms of the
community
4. Maximize participation in
activities that are appropriate
to the resident’s need for
growth
5. Learning how to trust the
environment by disclosing self
to the community and develop
insight in the process

6. Developing positive coping
skills to deal with difficult life
situations
7. Enhancing educational and
vocational skills to make him
productive
8. Improve social skills and
recognize the importance of
other people’s help in shaping
behavior
Phase lll- Pre Re-entry
Under regular circumstances, the resident is
expected at this stage to have internalize
the TC values and concept to start life
afresh. However, in the jail setting where
entry and release are not within the jail
control, residents may not have reached this
phase of treatment before they even leave the
jail facility.
Regardless of the resident’s length of stay, he
is expected to undergo this phase prior to
release into society. At this phase, the
resident is expected to have proven his ability
to take on more responsibility hence needs
lesser supervision. He is considered a role
model in the TC community. He should focus
on the following learning:
1. Rebuilding of social and family
ties
2. Going up the ladder of
hierarchy by showing
leadership
3. Realization of his full potential
to be a productive member of
society
4. Mapping out of plans
Phase IV- Re-entry
In the ideal setting, a resident at this
stage is now ready to be released back to
society as he has demonstrated adequate self-
control and discipline. The inmate is now
preparing for his life outside of jail and is
focused on making himself a productive
citizen. He may start planning for job
hunting and rebuilding family ties and
relationships.
In the jail setting, the residents will
stay inside the jail until their cases are
resolved or they have been convicted and
need to be remanded to the Bureau of
Corrections.
The resident must focus on the following:
● Transition to life outside jail.
● Creating a new lifestyle applying the
tools and concept of TC.
● Learning positive coping skills to deal
with day to day situations.
 ● Re-establishing and strengthening  TC Philosophy and unwritten
family ties and support group. philosophies are visibly posted
● Reintegration into the mainstream of around the facility.
society.  Hierarchical structure and daily
● Developing realistic and attainable activities are displayed.
goals in life.  There is adequate space to hold
activities and rooms for specific
Phase lV- Aftercare meetings that require privac
Aftercare is an outpatient program  A clean and well-maintained kitchen
that requires clients to report twice a week that complies with the sanitary
to an outreach center. They are required to standards of BJMP.
attend group sessions to ensure their  Provisions of recreation areas both
adjustment to life outside jail to reduce indoors and outdoors
recidivism. For clients released from jail, they  The dining area is equipped with
are referred to the Parole and Probation enough tables and chairs to
Administration and Local Government Units accommodate the inmates.
for follow up and aftercare. The clients are  Adequate sanitary toilets and
focused on the following: bathrooms that provide privacy to
 Maintaining positive behavior and users.
prevent recidivism  Adequate space for sleeping and
 Strengthening coping mechanism habitation that respects the
 Maintaining relationships and individual’s personal space.
support mechanism
 Sustaining interest in job or B. TCMP Staff:
vocation to maintain livelihood  The TCMP staff has undergone proper
 Integration into society training on TCMP
 Presence of a permanent TCMP staff
STANDARD PARAMETERS FOR JAIL CAMP to supervise the program and conduct
A. Physical Environment the various activities.
 The internal and external  The TCMP staff will not be transferred
environment is comfortable, clean to the other jails until properly
and welcoming. covered by another TC trained staff.
 There is no proper shift turn-over of
TC trained staff on a daily basis.
 TCMP staff can be utilized to handle
other tasks but puts priority to TCMP.
 Regular meetings are held by staff to
discuss progress, issues and concerns
about the program.
 All the jail staff are involved in the
TCMP and are contributing members.
 The staff works as a team in
delivering services to inmates
 The staff serves as role models and
treats inmates with respect and
dignity
 Incentives are given to TCMP staff in
terms of awards and commendations.
C. The Therapeutic Environment-The
Inmates/Residents:
 The residents treat each other with
respect at all times regardless of age,
religion, cultural diversity, etc.
 The residents practice a culture of
honesty and openness in discussing
thoughts and feelings, providing and
receiving feedbacks.
 Confidentiality is respected and
practiced
 The residents are involved in decision
making and planning in TCMP
activities
 The participants of TCMP are change
agents in bringing about
transformation among peers
 The residents comply with the
cardinal and house rules and serve as
“watchdogs” for their peers with the
aim of correcting erring members
 Absence or minimal incidence of jail
violence/disturbance
 The residents respect the hierarchy
and chain of command
Participants of the TCMP conducts “Morning
Meeting”.
Morning Meeting is a daily ritual that
starts the day in a TC facility. It is attended
by the whole community and lasts for an
hour. It commences with the Opening Prayer,
Singing of the Philippine National Anthem
and the recitation of the TC Philosophy.
Participants and facilitators recite the TC
Philosophy as part of the morning meeting.
Therapeutic Community program by the
Bureau of Corrections (BUCOR)
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 re-shaping 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.
Patterned after Daytop TC, New Yorkwhich is
base of the Therapeutic Community
movement in the world. The BUCOR TC
program was adopted as part of the bureaus
hollistic approach towards inmates
rehabilitation. It is implemented primarily
but not limited to drug dependent.
As TC family members go on with
their daily activities, a strong sense of
responsibility and concern for each other’s
welfare are developed. They are constantly
being monitored for their progress and are
regularly being evaluated by the TC-trained
staff. The TC process allows for genuine
introspection, cultivation of self-worth and
positive rationalization that move the
individual towards assuming a greater sense
of personal and moral responsibility.
The effort of the Bureau of Corrections to
rehabilitate Drug dependents under its care
using the TC approach is in line with its
commitment to create a Drug-Free Prison.
Worldwide developments in the treatment
and rehabilitation of drug offenders using this
therapeutic community approach have been
noted to be effective in many prisons.
BEHAVIORAL MANAGEMENT
The Behavior Management is a component of
Therapeutic Community Modality Program
(TCMP) that introduces the concept and
mechanics of the various shaping tools to
include Morning Meeting in order to facilitate
the management of and shape the behavior of
the residents. This shows the essential
elements and significance of the tools which
would provide the community common
language, increase cohesiveness and adapt to
the moral and behavioral code of the tools
application. The behavior shaping tools are
ordered in hierarchy to provide enough room
for personal growth and learning. The
community serves as a dynamic force that
motivates individual to achieve positive
behavior change.
1. EXPULSION
2. GENERAL MEETING
3. LEARNING EXPERIENCE/BANS
4. HAIR CUT
5. DEALT WITH
6. PULL UP
7. TALK TO
HIERARCHY OF BEHAVIOR SHAPING
TOOLS
PRE-MORNING MEETING
Duration/ Frequency: Fifteen minutes daily
participants : Senior residents, Counselor

Pre-Morning meeting is done early in the
morning prior to the Morning Meeting. Senior
members of the community will meet for
about fifteen (15) minutes to discuss the
attitude of the house the previously day. It
is also where the senior members
formulate solutions to the concerns
discussed and to be executed during the
day. The attendees will also discuss the
activities to be engaged in the Morning
Meeting and make sure that all participants
are ready with their corresponding parts and
determine the amount of time to be allotted
for each part. The group will agree on the
theme or concept of the day. This is to make
sure that everthing is ironed out prior to the
conduct if the morning meeting such as the
validation of pull-ups and other concerns.
MORNING MEETING
duration / Frequency: One hour daily.
participants : All residents, Counselor
Morning meeting is a daily ritual that starts
the day in a TC facility. It is attended by the
whole community and lasts for an hour. It
commences with the
 Opening Prayer
 Singing of the Philippine National
Anthem and
 recitation of the TC Philosophy.
It usually facilitated by any member of the
community. It is divided into two (2) parts
namely: (1) public announcements and
community concerns and (2) community-
spirit building or up rituals.
The first part of the meeting consists
of public announcements regarding
important activities of business and other
information that the community needs to
know. It is a review of how the community
performed in the previous day and check on
the behavior of erring members through the
conduct of “pull-ups”. A pull up is done as an
expression of concern over the lapses of some
members and encourage ownership of
mistake on the violators. The pull up is
followed by affirmations of good deeds,
display of responsible concern towards peers
or unselfish acts of some residents. This is to
show that good deeds are not left unnoticed
and leave a feeling of self-worth to those
concerned. The first part of the morning
meeting is a serious business where the
members are expected to be formal in their
demeanors. Rules are set such as: no side
talking, no cross legging, no laughing, hands
on the laps and sit erect.
 The concept of the day serves as a  affirmations
guide as to what direction the community is f. Concept of the day
headed for the day. It is elaborated by g. Verse of the day
residents of the community to have better
understanding of the. Whole concept. The II. UP-RITUALS
concept of the day is preferably taken from a. News casting (local, Natl,
the unwritten philosophies of TCMP. International, Sports, and
The second part of the meeting Weather News)
consists of entertaining presentations to b. Entertainment (Choose either
lighten up the mood and start the day on a song, Dance, Skit, Humorous
positive note. It somehow develops some Story)
talents and shed off inhibitions of c. Community singing (Any song
participants. that has relation to the
concept of the day)
PARTS OF THE MORNING MEETING d. greetings
I. COMMUNITY
ANNOUNCEMENT/CONCERNS HIERARCHY OF BEHAVIOR SHAPING
a. Opening prayer (Ecumenical) TOOLS
b. Singing of the Philippine 1. EXPULSION
National Anthem (Flag must 2. GENERAL MEETING
be displayed) 3. LEARNINF EXPERIENCE / BANS
c. TC Philosophy (Adopted
translation) Behavior shaping tools (BST) is
d. Announcements employed to strengthen the learning process
 Staff (Director, Asst. Director, and the practice of more adaptive behaviors
Counselor & other personnel) within the social learning environment. The
 Residents (Coordinators, Dept major tools of the BST, such as the Talk To,
Heads, Expediters) Pull-up, Dealt With, Haircut, Learning
 Report on Dorm Inspection by Experience, General Meeting and Expulsion
Chief Expediter were developed as a means to correct
e. Community concerns behaviors of the residents that violated the
 pull-ups/ TC norms.
elaboration
 violator is unknown and must be
validated first prior to bringing up in
the Morning Meeting.
TALK TO  Quickly display the corrected
 A “Talk To” as an outright correction behavior and express gratitude in
by any member of the TC receiving it. After one member did the
community to another member who pull-up, other residents who wants to
has done a minor infraction but is show concern can make elaborations
not aware of it. It is a friendly to give emphasis to the infractions
reminder/ advice about an and concretize the admonitions that
unacceptable behavior and must be need to be relayed to the violator.
done privately. Two to three elaborations are ideal.
 During a “Talk To”, the resident is  Too many elaborations are
made aware of his/her negative discouraged as they may take so much
behavior and the result it may have time.
on others and the environment. The
feedback given to the resident who DEALT WITH
committed mistake is done in a Dealt With is done when negative
positive behaviors or infractions to the house
way. This is to evoke awareness on the part of rules/norms are done for the second time of
the violators to avoid committing the same same offense by a resident.
mistake and be given heavier sanctions if
done in the future. HAIRCUT
Haircut is done when negative behaviors or
PULL-UP infractions to the house rules/norms in same
 A pull-up is done as a result of lack, offense are done for the third time or more or
missed or lapses in awareness in a for first time grave offenses. It is a carefully
resident. All the members of the planned and structured verbal reprimand
community are responsible to pull-up given by a staff with four other residents-
minor infractions done by peers. In senior resident, peer, big brother, and
encourages honestly, demeanor department head .The tone is more serious
awareness and owning up to one’s and can be loud, more harsh and
mistakes. This is done when the exaggerated. The haircut gives emphasis on
the behavior of the resident and the severity
of the haircut should be appropriate to the
gravity of the offense.
LEARNING EXPERIENCE
 A learning experience (LE) is an
action or activity given to a resident
who was subjected to haircut or
general meeting who did an infraction
to correct or modify a behavior.
 The LE should be related to the
infraction committed for him to focus
on the behavior expected of him in
the community. It should not be given
as a punishment but rather
motivation to develop more positive
attitude.
 Close supervision with clear goal
increases the effectiveness of the
sanction. Upon lifting the LE after
seven (7) days, the resident subjected
to the tool will be accorded with a
senior resident coming from his/her
static group who will provide
guidance and continually monitors
the performance in the house of the
former.
 The senior resident assigned will give
a self-report after fifteen (15) days
on how the resident (who undergone
LE) carried out his responsibilities
after the LE and state wherein the
residents condition whether he/she
needs further supervision. The
authority in giving LE lies in the
disciplinary board and TCMP staff.
EXAMPLES OF LE:
 If a resident has been missing out in
his responsibilities in the kitchen, he
can be assigned as in charge of
cleaning the kitchen for a specific
period of time.
 If a resident repeatedly leaves his bed
in disarray, he can be asked to
provide orientation and supervision
to new residents on how to keep their
a beds neat at all times.
CATEGORIES OF LEARNING EXPERIENCES:
a. Task-Oriented LE
 Pots and Pans
 Grounds and landscaping
 Cleaning and maintenance
 Time keeping (wake up calls, lights
out calls)
b. Written tasks
 Composition or Essay
 Reproduction of TCMP Materials
c. Peer Interaction
 Reading and reporting of topic
 Announcements (Morning meeting or
house meeting)
  Bans
BANS
 Bans are sanctions to members who
commit repeatedly infractions or
violation to the cardinal rules by
prohibiting, disallowing or limiting an
activity or affiliation to a group.
 It somehow curtails some freedom of
movement and association. This
sanction causes unpleasant feelings
which people try to avoid hence may
evoke behavioral changes in the
future. It must be applied consistently
after the adverse behavior
emphasize the negative
consequences.
 Privileges limited should have impact
but must not limit individual ability to
meet personal hygiene, nutritional
and emotional needs. A resident
subjected to Bans must be first
processed in a general meeting called
for the purpose.
EXAMPLES OF BANS
 Regulation of visiting privilege
 Banned from attending
entertainment and recreational
activities.
GENERAL MEETING
A repeated breach to the cardinal rules
necessitates a general meeting. Such issue
should be discussed with the community to
point out to the violator the negative effect
the behavior had on the community. Such
offense includes sexual acting-out with a
fellow resident, taking drugs and engaging in
physical fight with another resident. Other
facilities include stealing or even smoking as
part of the cardinal rules. These behaviors
pose a threat to the community because they
violate the established order and safety of the
facility.
to PROCEDURE IN A GENERAL MEETING:
 A general meeting is called and led by
a senior member of the staff, usually
the director of the facility. The extent
of the problem is assessed to
determine who among the community
members are involved in the incident.
 The director sets the tone of the
meeting and leads the community in
an open expression of opinions and
feelings regarding the offense brought
out into the community. He holds the
community accountable for the slip of
its members as each is considered his
“brother’s keeper”.
  The director opens the floor for on how freely one expresses them but more
feedbacks, inviting the community for so on the person’s ability to identify,
self-reflection and accountability. The acknowledge, and express them
formation of the general meeting is appropriately.
shown in figure 4.
COUNSELING
EXPULSION Counseling is defined as a
In extreme cases, when a resident is professional activity of helping individuals,
incorrigible and become a threat to the groups or communities enhance or restore
community (instigator, initiator of jail their capacity for psychological, emotional
disturbances), the Director with the and social functioning and creating an
recommendation of the Disciplinary board environment favorable for the attainment of
may transfer him/her to the nearest jail these goals.
facility with an appropriate court order.

INTRODUCTION
Residents who are detained are PSYCHOLOGICAL SKILLS AND
basically psychologically and emotionally CHARACTERISTICS OF COUNSELING
challenged. They share one thing in common,
that is being incarcerated with uncertainties
as to the outcome of their individual cases.
They feel isolated, helpless and at times
hopeless brought about by separation from
their loved ones and society in general and all
other issues that confront them while
incarcerated. Such emotional turmoil needs
to be addressed to help them bounce back
and experience a life of normalcy despite
their unique situation. The TCMP provides
activities and services that cater to this
particular need. This topic tackles the
discussion on the therapeutic value of
processing of feelings which does not only lie
 Empathy is the ability to not offering advice or cheap
perceive the client’s feelings comfort. The counselor shows
and to demonstrate accurate his utmost respect to the
perception of the client. It is client by listening in silence
merely “putting oneself in the and giving him the
client’s shoes”. When the opportunity to design his own
client feels understood a sense solutions to the problem. A
of trust or “rapport” is similar term for this is
developed. Rapport paves the “empowerment” as the
way to a more meaningful counselor likewise
communication and may demonstrates that he values
enable the client to the integrity of the client.
understand and accept more  Congruence or genuineness
of his o her complexity of is being honest and authentic
feelings. in dealing with the client. It is
 Warmth is also called showing real concern rather
“unconditional positive than focusing on techniques
regard”. It involves accepting during sessions. It also being
and caring about the client as aware of the counselor’s own
a person, regardless of any unmet needs and how it may
evaluation or prejudices on affect his relationship with the
the client’s behavior or client.
thoughts. It is most often  Confidentiality means that
conveyed through our non- anything discussed during
verbal or bodily gestures. counseling sessions is held
 Respect is our belief in the absolutely private and not to
client’s ability to make be discussed anywhere. This
appropriate decisions and contract should be held sacred
deal appropriately with his or sa as to maintain the clients
her life situation, when given a trust and enable him to
safe and supportive disclose sensitive matters to
environment in which to do the counselor without fear of
so. It is often showed best by any breach of confidentiality.
 The group participants in peer confrontation
group are selected by the staff and group
ONE TO ONE COUNSELLING/ INDIVIDUAL according to peers like adult members will go
COUNSELLING the same date of entry in the facility and t he
1. Individual counselling is a same goes with the middle and young
helping tool between resident members.
and counselor .
2. The counselor uses different
techniques ad methods in
counselling. SECRETS
3. The resident discusses Secrets are a group activity where
different issue which cause participants are given the opportunity to
her difficulty. unload emotional baggage and thus
4. Follow p session will be done experience freedom from internal
depending upon the needs of psychological conflict.
the resident.
5. The length of the session ENCOUNTER GROUPS
6. will determine the progress of The “Safety valve” within the community
the resident. which is high pressured and structured. It is
a forum for members of the community to
GROUP COUNSELLLING verbaly express pent – up or negative
emotions within the structured and safe
STATIC GROUP environment without resorting violence or
A Permanent group of peers and leaders that aggression and without fear of reprisal.
meet regularly while the residents are in
treatment.It is a sort of a “home “ group who EXTENDED GROUP
provides support for one another and to the The extended groups ( Probe marathon ) are
new members of the community. This is usually composed of 5-12 residents and is
designed to provide a forum of self being facilitated by 2 highly trained members
expression and disclosure
WOMENS GROUP
PEER CONFRONTATION GROUP MENS GROUP
MEDICATION SUPPORT GROUP
ANGER MANAGEMENT GROUP 9. T Shirt making
PRE RELEASE INTERVIEW 10. Décor making

VOCATIONAL / SURVIVAL SKILLS END-

TCMP DEPARTMENTS AND FUNCTIONS
1. Business Office Department
(BDO)
2. Expediting Team
3. Kitchen Department
4. Maintenance and Landscaping
Team
5. Housekeeping Department
6. Laundry Department
STAFF FUNCTION

1. Director
2. Assistant Director
3. Counsellor

LIVELIHOOD AND SKILLS TRAINING

SUGGESTED VOCATIONAL SKILLS

TRAINING

1. Rug making
2. Wood carving
3. Flower making
4. Massage Therap
5. Artistry
6. Automotive
7. Tailoring – Dressmaking
8. Shell craft