NCJ Number
181405
Date Published
December 1999
Length
6 pages
Annotation
An intermediate evaluation of the Pine Lodge Pre-Release Therapeutic Community for Women Offenders in Washington State focused on the strengths and weakness of this drug treatment program.
Abstract
The research approach was to supplement primary, qualitative data derived from extensive onsite observations with secondary, quantitative data from periodic reports. The program answers to a variety of public and private agencies, each with a particular area of oversight and vested interest. Representatives of these agencies vary in their knowledge of therapeutic communities and of this program. In addition, the program approaches addiction as a biopsychosocial disease and uses a variety of treatment techniques to develop prosocial cognitive, behavioral, and affective skills of addicted female offenders. Participants come to the program from the Washington Correctional Center for Women. Approximately 221 female offenders have been referred to the program, about 72 percent of the referrals have been admitted, and about 46 percent of the admissions have successfully completed all 5 phases after spending an average of about 247 days in the program. Findings indicate that the program is admitting, reaching, and serving its targeted population; conforming to widely accepted principles of drug treatment; being delivered by well-trained and dedicated professionals; operating at appropriate capacity; exhibiting essential characteristics of a therapeutic community; graduating reasonable numbers of participants; and displaying promise of having a long-term, positive influence.