0 - National Criminal Justice Reference Service

integrated into the other activities that make up the inmate’s day, such as work, education and
recreational activities.
Therapeutic Communities. Correctional therapeutic communities place inmates in a
residential treatment environment, separate fiom the general prison population. The Department
of Corrections has instituted several therapeutic communities to treat a wide spectrum of
substance abusing offenders. The TC model involves a long stay, ranging fiom 12 to 18 months.3
i
The aim of the TC is total life-style change, including abstinence fi-om drugs, elimination of
antisocial behavior, and development of prosocial attitudes and values. AU therapeutic
communities incorporate several treatment models and approaches for the treatment of substance
abusing inmates. Individual and group counseling, encounter groups, peer pressure, role models,
and a system of incentives and sanctions form the core of treatment interventions. Inmate
residents of the TC live together, participate in self-help groups and take responsibility for their
own recovery. All TC’s have a defined structure and daily activities to reinforce the mission of the
TC. The main emphasis of the TC is on healthy, positive development of all aspects of life.
Ancillary Groups. AU state correctional institutions have developed various ancillary
groups to supplement prescriptive substance abuse programs. Currently, institutions provide a
wide range of ancillary services. The ancillary groups include, but are not limited to, peer groups,
12-step groups, advanced codependency groups, assertiveness groups, survivor’s groups,
transitional services, self-esteem group, aftercare group, breaking barriers group, long term
support group, denial group, decision making and coping skills group, lifers group, parole
DOC implemented more standardized guidelines for TC program structure, content and duration
(12 months) beginning January 2001. Once again, these policy changes were responsive to
recommendations made by researchers in the earlier study of AOD treatment in Pennsylvania
prisons (Welsh, 2000a; 2000b).
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This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not
been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s)
and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.