Therapeutic Community Modality Program
The Therapeutic Community Modality Program (TCMP) is a self-help social learning treatment
model which utilizes the community as the primary therapeutic vehicle to foster behavioral and
attitudinal change. In this modality, the person learns and practices skills and responsibilities through
structured activities that they can transfer to the society upon their release. Each participant is expected
to be a contributing member of the community and develops the impetus to change by being a member
of the community.
The Therapeutic Community Modality Program and the Four Interconnected Development
Aspects: Behavior Management; Emotional and Psychological; Intellectual and Spiritual; and
Vocational and Survival Skills.
CARDINAL RULES IN TC
• No sex or sexual acting out
• No drugs/ Alcohol
• No violence or threat of violence
• No stealing
HOUSE RULES
• No destruction of jail property
• Respect staff and status
• Follow directions without feedback
• No cigarette smoking
• No contraband
• No gambling
• Be on time in all activities
• Lights off at 10:00 PM
• No talking/laughing after lights off
• Maintain good grooming and hygiene
• No vandalism
• Be courteous to people
• Use the chain of command
• No talking/laughing during the Morning meeting and other activities
• No lending or borrowing without permission
• Respect other people’s property
PHASES OF TREATMENT
A. Phase I- 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 his 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 the 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
B. Phase II- 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:
• Proper use of the different tools to address personal issues and concerns and shape
behavior
• Managing own feelings and learning how to express self appropriately
• Learning how to follow the rules and norms of the community
• Maximize participation in activities that are appropriate to the resident’s need for growth
• Learning how to trust the environment by disclosing self to the community and develop
insight in the process
• Developing positive coping skills to deal with difficult life situations
• Enhancing educational and vocational skills to make him productive
• Improve social skills and recognize the importance of other people’s help in shaping
behavior
C. Phase III- Pre-Re-entry
Under regular circumstances, the resident is expected at this stage to have internalized 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:
• Rebuilding of social and family ties
• Going up the ladder of hierarchy by showing leadership
• Realization of his full potential to be a productive member of society Mapping out of plans
D. 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 of 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 family ties and support group.
• Reintegration into the mainstream of society.
• Developing realistic and attainable goals in life.
E. Phase V- Aftercare
Aftercare is an outpatient program that requires clients to report twice a week to an outreach center.
They are required to attend group sessions to ensure their adjustment to life outside jail to reduce
recidivism. For clients released from jail, they are referred to the Parole and Probation
Administration and Local Government Units for follow up and aftercare. The clients are focused on
the following:
• Maintaining positive behavior and prevent recidivism
• Strengthening coping mechanism
• Maintaining relationships and support mechanism
• Sustaining interest in job or vocation to maintain livelihood
• Integration into society
STANDARD PARAMETERS FOR JAIL TCMP
A. Physical Environment:
• The internal and external environment is comfortable, clean and welcoming.
• TC Philosophy and unwritten philosophies are visibly posted around the facility.
• Hierarchical structure and daily activities are displayed.
• There is adequate space to hold activities and rooms for specific meetings that require
privacy.
• A clean and well-maintained kitchen that complies with the sanitary standards of BJMP.
• Provision of recreation areas both indoors and outdoors.
• The dining area is equipped with enough tables and chairs to accommodate the inmates.
• Adequate sanitary toilets and bathrooms that provide privacy to users.
• Adequate space for sleeping and habitation that respects the individual’s personal space.
B. TCMP Staff:
• The TCMP staff has undergone proper training on TCMP
• Presence of a permanent TCMP staff to supervise the program and conduct the various
activities
• The TCMP staff will not be transferred to other jails until properly covered by another TC
trained staff
• There is 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