Motivational Interviewing in Corrections

These two role-played scenarios can be used in training or skill coding sessions as examples of:

1. A traditional probation supervision session
2. A supervision session during which the probation officer uses motivational interviewing skills.

This presentation is an extended interview with Dr. William Miller regarding the utilization of motivational interviewing (MI) in correctional settings. Topics discussed include:

• Background of MI
• MI in corrections
• How MI works
• The spirit of MI
• Implementing MI
• MI applications and assessment
• Brief and one-time MI
• Essentials of MI
• MI roll-out and training
• The supervisor’s role
• MI research
• And implications for policy makers, supervisors and MI coaches.

The resources contained on the CD-ROM are transcripts of the video presentation and a copy of "Motivating Offenders to Change."

The utilization of motivational interviewing (MI) by probation officers is explained. MI “is a communication style that involves strategic use of questions and statements to help clients find their own reasons for change” (p. 61). Topics discussed include: evidence-based practice; role of the probation officer; MI in criminal justice; the eight stages of learning motivational interviewing; MI training-a model plan; and future directions.

“This study evaluates the efficacy of MI [motivational interviewing] versus RT [relaxation training] in reducing substance use outcomes for incarcerated adolescents and examines the role of depressive symptoms in moderating outcomes.” While MI is shown to be effective in reducing the use of alcohol in adolescents with low and high levels of depression and marijuana use in individuals with low levels of depression, it appears RT is better suited to marijuana-involved adolescents with high depressive symptoms.

Motivational Interviewing (MI) was introduced to the field of corrections in the 1990s through the Evidence-based Practices (EBP) Model as a method for enhancing intrinsic motivation. Since that time, agencies throughout the U.S., in all criminal justice settings, have-to a greater or lesser degree-explored if, when, and how to implement this approach to communicating, building rapport, and tapping into the internal motivation of the clients and staff members they work with. This annotated bibliography contains the written resources pertaining specifically to the criminal justice field. In addition, certain documents considered seminal to the training, implementation, evaluation, coaching, and quality assurance of MI skills are included.

This guide explains how to implement motivational interviewing (MI) in correctional settings. Motivational Interviewing is a counseling technique that enables people to get beyond their reluctance to change problem behaviors. MI is directive (focused on goals), client-centered, and non-confrontational. The first four chapters of this guide “address background and fundamental issues related to agency or systemwide implementation of MI ... [while the last two chapters] address agency issues, such as organizational norms, mental models, and leadership styles that can significantly affect the success of MI implementation” (p. 5). These chapters are: what MI is; how MI is learned; supervising and coaching to support implementation; assessing motivational interviewing skills; and planning to help individuals develop MI skills in a correctional setting. A glossary is also included.

"The program interviews Bradford Bogue, Director of Justice System, Assessment and Training and a motivational interviewer trainer since 1993 and Anjali Nandi, Program Director of the Center for Change. She has been a member of the International Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers since 2003. Both coauthored a document for the National Institute of Corrections titled Motivational Interviewing in Corrections: A Comprehensive Guide to Implementing MI in Corrections at https://nicic.gov/motivational-interviewing-corrections-comprehensive-guide-implementing-mi-corrections."