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INDIVIDUAL PROGRAM REPORTS: DOC-TEMPLE RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP
Institution: Cresson
AOD Program: Chance to Change Therapeutic Community
General Program Goals and Intervention Philosophy
1. What are the general goals or mission of this program? What does it try to do? Length 2-3
paragraphs. [Source: program documents, DATS SupervisorMgr.].
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The Chance to Change handbook states that their general goals and mission are: 1.) To
establish an environment in which the inmate can develop the concepts and living skills required
for controlling drug and alcohol addictiodabuse; 2.) To assist the inmate in understanding and
being able to explain factors contributing to his substance abuse prior to re-entry to the
community; 3.) To provide opportunities for the inmate to develop educationally, vocationally,
and emotionally through participation in individualized program objectives; 4.) To assist the
inmate in establishing standards of conduct for living and to establish a release plan to enhance his
using the standards in the community; and 5.) To enable staff and community members to work
together in assisting the individual member to accomplish his objectives by providing an
atmosphere of honesty, sincerity, responsibility, non-hostile feedback, and emotional support
through a combination of staff professional services and community member self-help programs.
2. What is the main treatment approach or philosophy used in this program? (e.g., see survey
Q#12). Could you give one or two examples of how this approach is used? [Source: program
documents, DATS SupewisorMgr.].
According to the operating Manual for the Chance to Change Program, the TC brings a
holistic approach that addresses the whole person, not just their different diseases or problems; it
addresses that person in a micro-community that operates in a unitied way. The community of the
TC itselfis the primary teacher. Staff and inmates serve as guides, teachers, and role models in the
recovery process. The inmates spend all their time monitoring, assessing, and giving feedback on
each other's social behaviors, attitudes, values, and feelings. Staff and inmates, under the rules
and structure of the TC, reinforce behaviors that are prosocial, positive, and soclally acceptable.
Inmates considered to be asocial or antisocial are dealt with through a variety of sanctions,
techniques, and activities, generally called "therapeutic tools". Also, the TC is systematic in its
approach. The driving force behind TC's efforts is a profound perspective on chemical abuserelated
disorders, the individual, and focus on recovery. Specific treatment models used in the TC
are eclectic, including behavior modification, codiontation, and cognitive behavioral therapy.
Target Population and Target Selection
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3. For this program, describe inmate recruiting, outreach, or referral procedures (e.g., How
do inmates hear about this program? Who makes referrals? What are the reasons for referral)?
[Source: program documents, inmate interviews, DATS SupervisorMgr.].
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.
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