NCJ Number
177857
Journal
Howard Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 38 Issue: 2 Dated: May 1999 Pages: 144-157
Date Published
1999
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This article presents the methodology and findings of an evaluation of England's Fast Track program, a mandatory treatment program for offenders who have committed property crimes to support a drug habit.
Abstract
The Fast Track program has been operating in Plymouth and Torbay since September 1995. Fast Track offers drug-using offenders quick access to agencies that can help them stabilize their drug use, which in turn should reduce their criminal behavior. The health agencies use an holistic, harm-reduction approach to drug abuse; they can, if required, prescribe replacement drugs such as methadone. Adherence to the program is ensured through a probation order. The program consists of a series of weekly meetings with the drug worker. During the treatment, which follows standard drug-agency practice, the client must submit to random urine testing; there is a case review every 3 months. The data collection for the evaluation was done from February to April 1997. The evaluation focused on client selection and outcomes. Findings show that the client selection process is driven by the needs of the criminal justice agencies. The drug workers' only input into the selection process is to determine the degree of drug use and confirm a motivation to participate. The outcome measure was determined by the expressed intent of the program to move the client from a cycle of drug-taking and crime to a life in which decisions are based on plans for the long term. Stabilization is measured and monitored by the drug workers through interviews with the offenders during the course of their treatment. The questions are designed to measure an offender's lifestyle, as well as drug- taking and criminal activity. The evaluation found that 58.8 percent of offenders were stabilized after the first 12 weeks on the program. A further 23.5 percent had stabilized and completed their probation orders. Only 11.7 percent of clients had failed to complete the program. 2 figures and 23 references