NCJ Number
211095
Journal
Howard Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 44 Issue: 4 Dated: September 2005 Pages: 400-410
Date Published
September 2005
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This study explored client perspectives about cooperation in substance abuse treatment for offenders undertaking community-based court orders in Scotland.
Abstract
The United Kingdom has undertaken a major criminal justice system-based initiative for tackling drug abuse that involves referring drug abusing arrestees and offenders to treatment programming that extends beyond their release from custody. The current study was designed to gain an understanding of the client perspectives of these treatment services in order to inform service enhancement and improve dropout rates. Participants were 27 men and 2 women who were undertaking a supervised attendance order or a community service order in 1 geographical area of Scotland. They were recruited for participation through criminal justice social work professionals and completed group interviews that focused on their perceptions of cooperation and communication during treatment. Interviews were analyzed using a constant comparative method; results indicated that, in many instances, drug users considered themselves uncooperative treatment recipients in terms of attendance, negotiating treatment plans, and their continued use of drugs while in treatment. The findings underscore the need for a holistic approach to substance abuse problems among offenders that includes attention to other factors such as social and economic problems. Table, references