THE THERAPEUTIC

COMMUNITY LADDERIZED
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Arfe June V. Mosquera
THE THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITY
LADDERIZED PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Therapeutic Community (TC) the treatment

modality in the DOJ PPA, a program for rehabilitation
of offenders that uses the TC Family/Community of
staff (PPOs and VPAs) and the clients as the primary
therapeutic vehicle to foster behavioral and
attitudinal change.
THE THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITY
LADDERIZED PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Its rules and norms, shared beliefs, tools and

processes combine to enable clients to actively work
toward their individual goals for “right living” thus, it
is a Self-help Social Learning /Treatment Modality.
Held in a community-based non-residential setting, it
addresses clients’ individual and group needs
through a holistic/multi-disciplinary range of
activities/interventions within the Five (5) Treatment
Categories.
 What is Therapeutic Community?

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 maybe 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.
 How does Therapeutic Community Look Like?

The TC operates in a similar fashion to 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 TC.
There are sets of rules and community norms that
members commit to live by and uphold upon entry.
(Lifted from Process of Building Therapeutic
Environment by Ferdie Perfas).
PPA TC MISSION:
To promote human and social transformation
among ourselves and among our clients.
PPA TC VISION:
By the end of this decade, TC shall have
become the corporate culture of PPA, permeating
its plans, programs and practices and confirming
its status as a model component of the Philippine
Correctional System.
It integrates Restorative Justice (RJ) principles
and practices and mobilizes involvement of the
general public through the Volunteer Probation
Assistant (VPA).
Salient Features of TC Ladderized
Program
TC (5) Treatment Categories (RACS-P)

 Relational/Behavioral Management
 Affective/Emotional Psychological
 Cognitive/Intellectual
 Spiritual
 Psychomotor/Vocational-survival skills
 Salient Features of TC Ladderized
Program
TCLP Phases (POPII)
PREPARATORY STAGE: SECURE COMMITMENT
This stage corresponds to the sixty-day investigation
period for petitioners for probation, parole or executive
clemency. It is at this stage that the IO and CPPO/OIC
should aim to create in client and his/her family a mind-
set of cooperation and support for the former’s
rehabilitation program.
In the process, the IO and CPPO/OIC raise client’s
awareness of his/her obligations under the program,
secures commitment to participate and a pledge of
support from the family.
Salient Features of TC Ladderized Program

PHASE I – ORIENTATION: BUILD FOUNDATION

Client is assimilated into the TC culture during this
phase. He/she acquires understanding of the program,
the philosophy and beliefs of TC, his/her role in the
Hierarchical Structure, and the rules to be observed as
a TC Family member. Client is familiarized with the TC
unique terminology, is introduce to the Behavior
Shaping Tools (BST) with opportunities to practice and
actually the process of enculturation also generates
self-awareness, challenges denials, and begins client’s
journey to self-responsibility and accountability.
Salient Features of TC Ladderized
Program
PHASE II – PRIMARY TREATMENT:
FOCUS and DEVELOP
The focus of primary treatment is to effect
behavioral change and develop client initiative and
self -discipline. Through constant application of
TC values and with regular use of TC tools, clients
manifest a socially acceptable behavior and
become more productive members of their
community, gender sensitive, environment-
conscious and economically empowered.
Salient Features of TC Ladderized Program

PHASE III-IMMERSION: INTERNALIZE

AND APPLY

In the process, clients become mature and

responsible, endeavoring to fulfill their duties to
their families and community.
Salient Features of TC Ladderized Program

PHASE IV- INTEGRATION: LIVE AND

SUSTAIN
Client is expected to do consistently behave in a
responsible manner both in the family and in the
community without the direct supervision of a
Probation and Parole Officer/SO. Sustained positive
changes in behaviors and attitudes and make him/her
a TC strength and a role model to his/her fellow
clients.
Salient Features of TC Ladderized Program

TC Cardinal Rules

 No violence or threat of violence

 No drugs, no alcohol
 No sex or sexual acting out
 No stealing
 No criminal activity
Salient Features of TC Ladderized
Program
Improved/Sustained Tools for Treatment
Planning & Monitoring

My Needs and Problems Checklist (MNPC)

Need and Problems Intervention Matrix (NPIM)
My Personal Development Plan (MPDP)
BATH Plan
BATH Contract
 The primary “therapist” and “ teacher” is the
community itself, consisting of peers and
staff, who as role models of successful
personal change, serve as a guides in the
recovery process.

 Self-help social learning treatment model

 “Community” as primary therapeutic vehicle
 Behavior and attitude change
Therapeutic Community Beliefs:
Inherent goodness of man
Man can change & unfold
Group can help foster this change (static, HS
teams)
Individual must take responsibility
Belief in the Higher Power

The PPA rehabilitation program:

It is individualized, community-based, three-
pronged approach to crime prevention and
treatment of offenders with Restorative Justice as its
philosophical foundation; Therapeutic Community as
the treatment modality and Volunteers as lead
community resource.
TCLP Description:
 Integrates the TC treatment modality &
probation/parole requirements,
Implement in progressive phases within the non-
residential community-based setting of the Parole
& Probation Administration rehabilitation program
for clients,
Integrates rehabilitation activities in TC phases
(Reinforcing Activities),
Integrates TC 9 elements, norms & values
in the conduct of rehabilitation activities,
1.Active Participation
2.Membership Feedback
3.Role Modeling
4.Collective Formats for Guiding Individual
Change
5.Shared norms & values
6.Structure & Systems
7.Open Communication
8.Individual & Group Relationships
9.Unique Terminology
Components aligned to PPA organization realities,
Aims for more active involvement of clients &
 families,
Provides a guide on how to handle issues in client’s
 TC attendance, etc.
It provides clients with success milestone through
 graduated completion,
Shorten program duration while improving program
 quality,
Altogether, the TCLP seeks to give clients
 sustainable foundation for life after probation or
 parole, empower implementers, and
Raise the application of the TC modality to
higher
 professional standards.