Effectiveness and Monitoring of Martin Treatment Center for Sexually Violent Predators, Special Review

• NCJ Number: 184798
• Author(s): Marti Harkness; Richard Dolan; Kathy McGuire
• Date Published: September 2000
• Length: 35 pages
• Sale Source: Florida Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: OPPAGA Report No. 00-12

Annotation

This report assesses the performance of Liberty Behavioral Health Care, the contractor hired by Florida's Department of Children and Families (DCF) to operate the Martin Treatment Center for Sexually Violent Predators.

Abstract

The review found that Liberty's treatment team leaders have appropriate education and experience but the DCF should establish continuing education standards for staff. It was also determined that physical space at the treatment center is not conducive to treatment and restricts the routine provision of vocational and recreational services. Although the center has taken steps to improve the living and treatment environment, the treatment program should develop a vocational education plan to prioritize the use of vocational resources. The treatment approach at the center has evolved over the course of the first year and treatment planning is improving. However, treatment progress has not been well documented. The treatment program needs to develop and implement a data collection plan to better track resident progress. In addition, the Florida Legislature needs to revise the Jimmy Ryce Act, which became effective in January 1999 to address the treatment needs of sexually violent predators, to deal with the need to supervise and treat committed individuals in the community as the final stage before release from the program. Because center residents have sexual impulse problems and sexual activity occurs between residents, the treatment program should continue to monitor such activity and, from a therapeutic perspective, take the necessary steps to address such behavior. Finally, the DCF should ensure the quality of treatment services and should promulgate administration rules for the operation of a sexually violent predator program to ensure that State standards are clearly articulated. Appendixes describe the four stages of treatment at the center (reception, introduction, intermediate treatment, and advanced treatment) and note responses of Liberty Behavioral Health Care to the evaluation of the treatment center. 1 figure