Treatment process in prison therapeutic communities: motivation, participation, and outcome

Although the largest effects of prison-based therapeutic community (TC) programs are associated with entry into aftercare, only a minority of prisoners volunteer for these aftercare programs. The study addresses the gap in our knowledge concerning these low rates of voluntary entry. A theoretical formulation of the TC process involving the effect of the interaction of clients' motivation and participation in the activities of the TC on entry into aftercare was tested on a sample of 110 volunteers in a prison-based TC for whom there were client and staff ratings of 3-month participation and 12-month follow-up data on relapse and recidivism. Path analyses support a model in which the interaction of motivation and 3-month participation ratings have a direct effect on the selection of aftercare, and aftercare has a direct effect on relapse and recidivism. The use of a combination of enhanced motivation and early program participation as a means of increasing the utilization and effectiveness of aftercare is discussed.