Chapter 1-4 Motivational Enhancement (ME)

Introduction

This chapter describes the components of the motivational enhancement (ME) skills package training.

The ME skills package will equip you to work more effectively with prisoners. These skills are central to working with prisoners:

• who are not motivated to address their offending, and
• whose plans include activities about becoming motivated.

ME skills are also relevant to a significant extent to almost all of the other activities.

Not a “counselling” relationship

This set of skills does not imply the need to establish a “counselling” relationship between officer and prisoner. These skills can be used effectively during offender plan review meetings and in the course of brief and informal contacts.

Note: While establishing rapport with a prisoner is essential, do not collude with a prisoner’s pro-criminal attitudes in any way. Empathy and understanding is to be directed towards the prisoner personally, and any difficulties they have in reaching their offender plan activities.