Therapeutic Communities In Correctional Settings
III. Phase II: Major Aims and Scope of Work
The primary aim of Phase II was to complete a field validation of the standards review protocol. There were two key objectives in this phase: (a) to assess and improve the comprehensiveness and clarity of the standards themselves and (b) to assess the utility of the standards review protocol. The field evaluation trial was conducted at eight modified TC prison programs selected from prison institutions in different regions of the country. An expert in TC prison programming conducted the trial at each site utilizing the existing field review protocol (i.e., formerly the "SEEQ-Criminal Justice Version Reviewer Worksheet;" see Appendix B).
The Phase II project began Oct. 1, 1998. Table 1 summarizes the key tasks, activities, and deliverables in this period.
| Table 1 | Key Tasks, Activities, and Deliverables for Phase II of the Standards Development project |
|---|---|
|
|
Four field reviewers were selected whose experience with TC programming ranged from 12-20 years. The criteria for site selection provided a reasonable first test of the general validity of the review protocol and the standards themselves. A total of eight different modified prison TC programs were selected from prison systems in California, Florida, New York, and Ohio. Table 2 lists the field reviewers and prison sites selected for field review.
Some of the programs were housed in the same prison complex. However, each site visit to the prison was limited to two days to complete. Typical reviewer activities during the site visits included examination of records, interviews with staff at all levels, interviews with residents, observation of meetings and groups, and observation of the physical environment.
| Table 2 | Field Reviewers and Sites Selected for Phase II of the Standards Development project |
|---|---|
| Reviewers |
|
| Selected Prison Sites |
|
| 1. Florida |
|
| 2. California |
|
| 3. Ohio |
|
| 4. New York |
|



