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Therapeutic Community Movement in Corrections

NCJ Number
187469
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 63 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2001 Pages: 24,26,32
Author(s)
Brian Shapiro
Editor(s)
Susan L. Clayton
Date Published
February 2001
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article looks at the movement in corrections towards therapeutic communities (TC) as one attempt to reach substance-abusing offenders who have failed at rehabilitation in the past.
Abstract
With drug and alcohol use seen as a major problem in this country today, TC have gained a favorable national and international reputation as being effective with the substance-abusing population of offenders. The benefits of having inmates get out and stay out of correctional facilities, rather than continually returning is viewed as worth it. The article offers a brief history of TC noting the first known TC having been founded in 1958 by Charles E. Dederich. In addition, it offers an overview of TC within the Idaho Department of Corrections, Illinois Department of Corrections and the Texas Department of Corrections. The Texas TC system is seen as one of the most highly developed prison-based TC system’s in the world. Already implemented in States such as Alaska, California, Maine, Nevada, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas, Virginia and Washington these programs continue to grow as they are seen as the most effective treatment available for long-term criminal alcohol and substance abusers. Few of these programs exist on the streets, and the ones that do are too costly for those who need it most. It appears their time incarcerated can be put to good use in terms of helping them rehabilitate themselves as TC residents. Older more experienced inmates help younger less experienced inmates learn from their mistakes and avoid the pitfalls of relapse, especially on the streets.