NCJ Number
158761
Journal
Point Page Volume: 3 Issue: 1 Dated: (November 1995) Pages: 1-6
Date Published
1995
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article profiles two drug treatment programs for female offenders funded by the Colorado Drug Control and System Improvement Program, which is in turn funded by the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance under the Edward Byrne Memorial State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance Program.
Abstract
The Haven is a Denver-based diagnostic and treatment center for women with substance abuse problems who are also involved with the criminal justice system. Programming has a strong therapeutic focus that includes education groups; individual, group, and family therapy; and experiential exercises. Topics covered in the therapy include coping with abusive relationships, recovering from trauma, and increasing self-esteem. The Haven has developed several ties to other community programs to help clients become reintegrated into the community. The Metropolitan Female Offender Project, another Denver-based program, provides intensive probation supervision and case management services for substance-abusing women. As part of their case management services, program staff coordinate services for female offenders and address many of the needs that put them at risk for reoffending and continuing their involvement with drugs. As part of their case management duties, staff officers identify and assess clients' needs using standardized risk/needs assessment instruments and match these needs with referrals to appropriate agencies. All officers are women, so as to facilitate positive role modeling for female offenders. The project is designed to stabilize the female offender so she can complete her case-plan objectives and be assimilated into regular probation supervision. 9 notes