Alexander Maconochie Correctional Centre, ACT

Simon Rosenberg

Solaris Therapeutic Community

Why Innovative?

A Therapeutic Community in a prison

Partnership between NGO and government agency

Continuity between in-prison and post-release

What is SOLARIS? Custodial Therapeutic Community inside Canberra’s

new prison, the Alexander Maconochie Centre

Uses the ‘community as method’ approach to treat male prisoners with substance misuse, who often have other complex needs

Multidisciplinary approach to treatment

Operational July 2009

Occupies one of four 20 bed low security men’s cottages

Solaris Objectives To create a safe TC environment underpinned by the

healthy prisons concept To reduce the incidence of drug and alcohol related

recidivism through the provision of targeted interventions

To deliver a comprehensive range of programs including educational, vocational training, therapeutic interventions and culturally appropriate support

To increase participants’ educational achievements and employment capacity

Encourage and promote the reintegration and post release support of participants

Enable provision of health services

Eligibility CriteriaPrisoners need to volunteer for the programServing a non-parole period or fixed term of

7 months or more with at least 6 months left to serve

Minimum security classificationNo history of sexual related offences of any

typeStable pharmacotherapy and/or psychiatric

medication regime

Solaris Partnership & Staffing Partnership between ACT Corrective Services and ADFACT

means ‘matrix management’. Staff include Therapeutic Correctional Officers, and AOD

Clinicians from Corrective Services and ADFACT, working in a team.

Therapeutic Correctional Officers have an extended role that includes correctional, therapeutic and social roles.

TC works closely with Corrections Health to provide a coordinated treatment approach to participants’ health needs.

Other services such as chaplaincy and psychology available High level joint Reference Group to monitor implementation

Solaris Treatment ContinuumStaged program :

Assessment/Screening Induction 6 weeks Treatment 20 weeks Transition and Release Post-release support, through dedicated

Transition Worker

Treatment Phase ModulesProgram Modules include:

Criminal Conduct and Substance Abuse Treatment (Wanberg/Milkman) 50 Sessions

Positive Life Skills (Relapse Prevention) Debate Parenting Managing Finances SMART Recovery 12 Step Self Help Groups Art Therapy Horticulture Yoga

Transition and Exit Pathways“Research has shown that prisoners are most at risk of

reoffending when an integrated throughcare post release

structure is not accessible”Dr George De Leon

Centre for Therapeutic Community Research at NDRI

EvidenceReoffending rates within 24 months of

release: Comorbid substance and MH disorders –

67% Substance disorder only

– 55% MH disorder only – 49%

Smith, N & Trimboli, L, Crime and Justice Bulletin, NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics & Research, May 2010

A Solution

In-prison TC can reduce recidivism by 5%

In-prison TC plus ‘community aftercare’ can reduce recidivism by 7%

Mitchell, Wilson & MacKenzie, “The effectiveness of incarceration-based drug treatment on criminal behaviour”, Campbell Collaboration Systematic Reviews, No 11, 2006

Preparation 6 week AOD

program provided to all prisoners prior to entry to TC

Preparation 6 week AOD

program provided to all prisoners prior to entry to TC

INDUCTION PROGRAM

First point of entry to TC

Six week continual assessment,

education and case management

INDUCTION PROGRAM

First point of entry to TC

Six week continual assessment,

education and case management

TREATMENT PROGRAMSix month treatment program comprising individual & group counselling, CBT, parenting &

relationship skills, relapse prevention & family interventions.

Work skills training

TREATMENT PROGRAMSix month treatment program comprising individual & group counselling, CBT, parenting &

relationship skills, relapse prevention & family interventions.

Work skills training

There are a number of pathways from the AMC TC to the community, depending on the point of release and the person’s stage of readiness to re-enter the community.

ADFACT’s Karralika TC, Transitional Housing and

Nexus Halfway House Program

•Individual Counselling•Current pharmacotherapies •Solaris participants may receive early release based on admission to Karralika•Individual Case Mgt

ADFACT’s Karralika TC, Transitional Housing and

Nexus Halfway House Program

•Individual Counselling•Current pharmacotherapies •Solaris participants may receive early release based on admission to Karralika•Individual Case Mgt

TRANSITION RELEASE CENTRERelease to the TRC outside the

wall, outside work or education, return to TRC in evening. Supported within

TRC by clinical workers & case management

TRANSITION RELEASE CENTRERelease to the TRC outside the

wall, outside work or education, return to TRC in evening. Supported within

TRC by clinical workers & case management

MANAGED ACCOMMODATION

PROGRAMRelease to high intensity

supported accommodation. Corrective Services and

ADFACT staffing, supported by Outreach Worker

MANAGED ACCOMMODATION

PROGRAMRelease to high intensity

supported accommodation. Corrective Services and

ADFACT staffing, supported by Outreach Worker

Transition Worker•Relationships developed pre-release•Focus on the immediate post-release period•Family restorative practice•Referrals as needed (not “cold”!)•Create new community supports•Aim to develop self-reliance

Anecdotal Evidence “If I was shown this 20 years ago, I could honestly say I wouldn’t be here

today.” “I can’t speak highly enough about the staff here. They go out of there

way to teach us and provide intensive support in our lives. I have learnt so much whilst in here about myself.”

“It is a very different feeling than I am accustomed to, to feel cared for and genuinely assisted by corrections officers.”

“I’m so thankful for the program it will save a lot of people in the future” “I have been in and out of gaol all my adult life…. in just [a] short space of

time my attitude and thoughts have had a massive change…. even my mother who of course has known me my whole life can see … the change”

“Since coming to TC I have really opened up to myself and others, and have found out things about myself that I could never find in the past. At first I thought there would be nothing I could change about myself and that nobody could help me.”

QUESTION TIME

www.solaris.act.gov.ausimon.r@adfact.org