NCJ Number
82296
Date Published
1981
Length
58 pages
Annotation
This volume is intended to provide a framework for the planning of programs to deal with drug and alcohol abuse in Minnesota correctional facilities.
Abstract
It presents the results of a needs assessment conducted by the Minnesota Department of Corrections to determine the current status and needed changes in programming for inmates who abuse chemicals. It also describes a procedure by which correctional institutions can plan, develop, implement, and evaluate their own efforts to deal with chemical abuse by their inmates. The needs assessment was based on a survey of 150 persons representing institutional programs, community treatment programs, court services, jails, reentry programs, and selected State agencies. The survey recipients were asked to detail current efforts and identify needs in nine broad areas including staff training, education, assessment, treatment programming, reentry and aftercare, resources, evaluation, and State support. Findings indicated the need for basic training in chemical health and dependency, expansion of the concept of treatment to include comprehensive coordination of service delivery, structured support and aftercare for inmates in transition between inhouse treatment and the general institutional population, and a systemwide policy to address treatment availability and other issues. The guidelines for developing chemical treatment plans and programs in individual institutions explain how to begin the groundwork for program development, mobilize staff resources, conduct an institutional needs assessment, and implement appropriate actions. The instructions also cover the integration of the program elements into the total institution, the building of effective working relationships, the use of internal and external supportive resources, and the monitoring and evaluation of program activities. Additional results of the statewide needs assessment and appendixes presenting the needs assessment instrument, a description of the chemical dependency programming of the Minnesota Department of Corrections, and related information are provided.