0 - National Criminal Justice Reference Service

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TheraDeutic Engagement. This scale measures the degree to which an b t e is actively
involved with and participating in the treatment process. Items assess how (an inmate feels and
shows concern for others during counseling, ability to confiont others in their treatment group
about their true feelings, willingness to share feelings, ability to give support and understanding to
others, and desire to offer honest feedback to others. The engagement of the individual is
recognizable by looking at patient behaviors, including attendance in treatment programs and
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individual counseling sessions, as well as perceptual measures.
Counselor Rapport. This scale examines the extent to which the inmate feels that
counselors support him in the drug treatment program. Items ask about how easy counselors are
to talk to, the degree to which counselors respect the inmates, the understanding the counselors
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have for inmates, and the help offered to the inmates by the counselors.
Counselor Competence. Counselor competence is defined as how qualified or skilled the
inmate feels the treatment counselors of the therapeutic community are. Items ask about the level
of counselor preparation and organization, how well developed their treatment plans are, the
counselor’s abilities to teach useful ways to solve problems, and the degree to which inmates feel
motivated and encouraged by their counselors.
Program Structure. This scale assesses the degree to which the inmate perceives that TC
meetings and activities are well organized, whether the rules are fair and appropriate, whether
meetings are productive, and the fairness and appropriateness of work assignments. The goal is to
allow the inmate to describe what methods or portions of the program aid in his treatment, and
which, if any, portions of the program hinder his progress.
Peer Support. Strong therapeutic relationships, with both peers and counselors, predict
0 lower levels of during-treatment drug use, which in turn Iead to longer retention in treatment
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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.