MODALITIES IN THE TREATMENT OF OFFENDERS IN THE
PHILIPPINES
the correctional system in the
Like man countries, _ A
Philippines has oth an institution-based and a community-based
It also has separate treatment systems for youth
on ard ‘adult offenders. The ‘custodial care of adult offenders
is handled by the following:
Bureat jement and Penology (BJMP)
y pee the Department of Interior and Local Government
(DILG) which isi er all district, city and
municipal jails an ters. These jails house
detainees awaiting judicial disposition of their case and
offenders whose sentence range from one (1) day to three
(3) years
2. The Provincial Governments, WI 1a
and control over provincial jails. These jails house court
detainees and prisoners whose prison terms range from six
(6) months and one (1) day, to three (3) years.
3, The Bureau of Corrections (BUCOR) under the Department
of Justice (DOJ), which has control over the national
penitentiary and its penal farms, houses convicted offenders
with prison sentences ranging from three (3) years and one
(1) day, to life imprisonment.
Youth offenders in the Philippines are treated differently. A
outh offender is defined as a child over nine (9) years but below
» panteen (18) years of age at the time of the commission of an
ct epee. Under the country’s laws, these youth offenders are entitled
Beeeperced sentence. Instead of serving their sentence, they
rehal iedm regional youth rehabilitation centers, which are
aro cee by the Department of Social Welfare and
a CM et) rehabilitation centers for youth offenders,
Training pal Training School for Boys and the other,
Bich oe fr eis. Their stay in the center can be
mtercrocess Fue depending on how they respond
hich have supervision
ere) teciment of adult offenders is
partment of Justice (DOJ) throughits Parole and Probation Administration and the Board of Pard
i lons.
Probation for adult offenders is available to those whose penalty of
mprisonment does not exceed six (6) years. It is considered as a
er of privilege and not of Tight. Hence, the adult offender has
pply for probation before the court upon conviction. This is also
for the parole system.
THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITY MODALITY BY PAROLE AND
PROBATION ADMINISTRATION (PPA)
WHAT IS TC?
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 may be
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 TC LOOK LIKE?
ration of the community itself is the task of the
vesicou tna under staff supervision. Work assignments, called
‘ob fund ons” are arranged in a hierarchy, according to seniority,
individual progress and productivity. These include conducting
Ih services, such as cooking, cleaning, kitchen service,
all housess serving as apprentices and running all departments,
onal a eetings and peer encounter groups.
rates in a similar fashion to a functional family
! The Te el structure of older and younger members. Each
with a hieral ‘a defined role and responsibilities for sustaining the
member has ning of the TC. There are sets of rules and community
proper fun members upon entry commit to live by and uphold.
norms that
HAT ARE THE SALIENT FEATURES OF TC?
Wi
The primary ‘therapist’ and teacher is the community
4 itself, consisting of peers and staff, who, as role models ofsuccessful personal change, serve as guides in the recovery
process. e i
adheres to precepts of right living: Truth/honesty;
5 Hae and now; Personal responsibility for destiny; Socia|
responsibility (brother's keeper); Moral Code; Inner
person is “good” but behavior can be “bad”, Change is the
only certainty; Work ethics; Self-reliance; Psychological
converges with philosophical (e.g. guilt kills)
3. It believes that TC is a place where: One can change -
unfold; the group can foster change; individuals must take
responsibility; structures must accommodate this; Act as if
— go through the motion.
There are 5 distinct categories of activity that help promote
the change:
Relational/Behavior Management
Affective/Emotional/Psychological
Cognitive/Intellectual
Spiritual
Psychomotor/Vocational-Survival Skills
THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITY MODALITY PROGRA
BY THE
BUREAU OF JAIL MANAGEMENT AND PENOLOGY™
PHASES OF TREATMENT
> ears, i
phases of treatment is observed, it Panik Met iede
or may not be followed as schi i
Sana ner anne leduled due to the uniqueness of the
B ientation P
Once an inmate i i “Si
of examinati ‘S Committed to jail, he undergoes a series
lon to determine his physical, social and psychologicalstatus. Upon his commitment, a resident is placed on orientation at
the Reception and Diagnostic room/ Orientation
ig acquainted with the TC program: een
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.
hase El mi
orientation on the different TC concepts and
ols, the norms and rules of the community and the staff members,
e resident is now ready to undergo the treatment proper. He
community starting as a crew member of
rtment until he gradually ascends in the
lierarchy. He must be knowledgeable on the following:
* Proper use of the different tools to address personal issues
and concerns and shape behavior
e Managing own feelings and learning how to express self
iatel
. a to follow the rules and norms ofthe commngaity
Maximize participation in activities that are appropriate to
. ue resident's need for growth
jag how to trust the environment by disclosing self to
oe unity and develop insight in the process
evan positive coping skills to deal with difficult life
After propet
Developing
jituations i i
* hancing educational and vocational skills to make him
nl
productive
ee eee eel« Improve social skills and recognize the importance of other
people’s help in shaping behavior
Phase Ill- Pre Re-ent
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
Phase IV- Re-entry
He may start planning for job hun
relationships.
In the jail setting, the residents will Stay insi, per
until their cases are resolved or they have aay pote
need to be remanded to the Bureau of Corrections,
The resident must focus on the following:
e Transition to life outside of jail.
« Creating a new lifestyle applying the tools and concept of
TC.
I ————. 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.
Aftercare is an outpatient program that requires clients to
report twice a week to an outreach center. They are required to
d 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
e Sustaining interest in job or vocation to maintain livelihood
¢ Integration into society
STANDARD PARAMETERS FOR JAIL TCMP
A. Physical Environment:
e The internal and external environment is comfortable, clean
and welcoming. 5 :
. TC Philosophy and unwritten philosophies are visibly posted
around the facility.
J Hierarchical structure and daily activities are displayed.
js adequate space to hold activities a
q Wecific meetings that require privacy. neo
n and well-maintained kitche i i
« Adciea Standards of BUMP. n that complies with the=
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
* Allthe 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 TC! i ne
commendations MP Set er a
c.T eutic Environment -T!
* The resi
regpraiseeata treat each other with respect at all times
~ th real of age, religion, cultural diversity, etc.
resi i s
in depasng ors a culture of honesty and openness
feedbacks ghts and feelings, providing and receiving
Sareesfidentiality is respected and practiced
residents are involved in decision making and planning
CMP activities
participants of TCMP are change agents in bringing
out transformation among peers
je residents comply with the cardinal and house rules
{ serve as “watchdogs” for their peers with the aim of
orrecting erring members
Absence or minimal incidence of jail violence/disturbance
* The residents respect the hierarchy and chain of command.
y
Participants of the TCMP conducts “Morning Meeting”.
Morning Meeting is a daily ritual that starts the day ina TC facility.
It is attended by the whole community and lasts for an hour. It
commences with the Opening Prayer, Singing of the Philippine
National Anthem and the recitation of the TC Philosophy.Participants and facilitators recite the TC Philosophy as part of the
morning meeting.
Therapeutic Community Program by the Bureau of Corrections
(BUCOR)
The Therapeutic Community (TC) Program represents an
effective, highly structured environment with defined boundaries,
both moral and ethical. The primary goal is to foster personal
growth. This is accomplished by re-shaping an individual’s behavior
and attitudes through the inmates community working together to
help themselves and each other, restoring self-confidence, and
preparing them for their re-integration into their families and friends
as productive members of the community.
Patterned after Daytop TC, New York which is the base of
Beaten Communlty movement in the world, the BuCor TC
p pted as part i isti
towards inmate rehabilita part of the Bureau's holistic approach
tion. It is i z :
limited to drug dependenine It is implemented primarily but not
Th
as an eee ees has been continuously proven worldwide
ment and rehabilitation modality among drug
in many prisons.abuse. The program modifies negative behavior and or attitudes
while restoring self-confidence, and prepares inmates for their re-
integration into their families and friends as productive members of
the community. This behavioral modification program gradually re-
shapes or re-structures the inmate within a family-like environment,
wherein every member acts as his brother’s keeper.
As TC family members go on with their daily activities, a strong
sense of responsibility and concern for each other's welfare are
developed. They are constantly being monitored for their progress
and are regularly being evaluated by the TC-trained staff. The
TC process allows for genuine introspection, cultivation of self-
worth and positive rationalization that move the individual towards
assuming a greater sense of personal and moral responsibility.
The efforts of the Bureau of Corrections to rehabilitate Drug
dependents under its care using the TC approach is in line with its
Commitment to create a Drug-Free Prison. Worldwide developments
in the treatment and rehabilitation of drug offenders using this
in many prisons.
‘ au of Corrections helps persons
Be of tee ‘productive citizen by offering various
to be
ms that provides skills and trainings.
The TC progra
prived of liberty
livelihood prog’!