Principles of motivational enhancement

Introduction

The main principles of motivational enhancement (ME) are as follows:

• having a positive approach
• establishing rapport with the prisoner
• having a “gently persuasive” approach
• “rolling with” reluctance.

Positive approach

ME is based on staff holding expectations that prisoners can be influenced, and that they can change. Many prisoners are part of a culture which is:

• dismissive of the need to change
• scornful of programmes, and
• contemptuous of people who desire to change.

You must counter these negative views by being consistently positive about personal change, programmes and the willingness to participate in them.

Rapport with prisoner

To exert influence on a prisoner, it is essential that you first establish rapport with them. You must have a positive and respectful attitude towards them and make efforts to get to know them.

If there is no rapport, you may find that when you try to exert influence, the prisoner is likely to do the exact opposite of what is being encouraged.

Gently persuasive approach

The prisoner is responsible for making the choice to change (or not). Confrontation, demands, coercion and threats are not part of the ME approach. ME is a tentative and ‘gently persuasive’, approach.

 “Rolling with” reluctance

When you encounter resistance or reluctance, state that you “accept that’s the way you see it now”, but remain ready to re-engage with the issue at a later time.