Modified Therapeutic Community Program for Inmates with Mental Illness and Chemical Abuse Disorders

• NCJ Number: 202813
• Journal: Corrections Today Volume: 65 Issue: 6 Dated: October 2003 Pages: 90-99
• Author(s): Stanley Sacks; JoAnn Y. Sacks; Joe Stommel
• Date Published: October 2003
• Length: 10 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article addresses the Colorado Department of Correction’s therapeutic community (TC) program for offenders with mental illness and chemical abuse (MICA) disorders.

Abstract

Research conducted over the past 20 years has increased the knowledge of both the nature and the prevalence of MICA disorders, and although more and more MICA inmates are entering correctional facilities throughout the country, few States have developed the treatment programs needed in order to address their specific additional needs and issues. In 1997 the Colorado Department of Corrections’ developed treatment programs for male offenders with MICA disorders. This article discusses the working alliance among research staff, service providers, and criminal justice professionals that resulted in the transformation of an existing drug treatment program into a modified therapeutic community. Prison programs such as personal reflection, designed to use TC principles in order to change attitudes and lifestyles, and crossroads to freedom, designed to enable MICA disordered inmates to develop personal responsibility, are described as effective programs occurring before MICA disordered inmates are transferred to aftercare. Post-prison programs such as independence house, a modified TC approach to community life, are used for individuals who commit minor offenses such as parole violations during their participation in aftercare. Modified TC programs for MICA offenders face several barriers, and partnering, working with key stakeholders, providing technical assistance, and establishing a quality assurance system are effective ways to ensure the success of modified TC programs. Colorado’s success at developing a modified TC for MICA offenders suggests that providing a culture in which inmates may learn to foster changes in themselves through self-help is essential to successful community reintegration for MICA inmates.