NCJ Number
59044
Journal
Personnel and Guidance Journal Volume: 56 Dated: (NOVEMBER 1977) Pages: 180-183
Date Published
1977
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THE FLORIDA CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION CURRENTLY HAS A RESIDENTIAL DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAM FOR IMPRISONED FEMALE DRUG ABUSERS. THIS ARTICLE DECRIBES HOW THE PROGRAM WAS DEVELOPED AND IMPLEMENTED.
Abstract
DURING THE PROGRAM INITIATION PHASE, IT WAS DECIDED THAT THE DRUG HOUSE SHOULD BE ISOLATED FROM THE MAIN SECTION OF THE PRISON IN A COTTAGE, WITH INMATES OF THE COTTAGE HAVING NO CONTACT WITH OTHER INMATES OF THE PRISON. STAFFING WOULD INCLUDE A DRUG-COUNSELOR SUPERVISOR, FOUR DRUG COUNSELORS WITH POSTGRADUATE DEGREES, AND SIX CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS. THE PHILOSOPHY AND GOALS OF THE PROGRAM WERE DEVELOPED BY THE SUPERVISOR. THE TWO MAJOR GOALS WERE TO HELP RESIDENTS RESOLVE PERSONAL PROBLEMS THAT CONTRIBUTED TO DRUG ABUSE AND TO HELP RESIDENTS LEARN TO CARE FOR OTHERS AND HANDLE THEIR PERSONAL INTERACTIONS IN MUTUALLY ENHANCING WAYS. RESIDENTS WERE SELECTED ON THE BASIS OF THEIR EXPRESSED MOTIVATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM AND ON THE SEVERITY OF THEIR DRUG PROBLEMS. INMATES WITH LONG HISTORIES OF DRUG ABUSE WERE GIVEN PRIORITY. ELEVEN INMATES WERE CHOSEN FOR THE PROGRAM. THE STAFF CONDUCTED NUMEROUS STRUCTURED ACTIVITIES TO TEACH THE RESIDENTS SOCIAL, ACADEMIC, AND VOCATIONAL SKILLS AND TO HELP THEM DEAL WITH THEIR PROBLEMS. GROUPS COUNSELING SESSIONS HELPED RESIDENTS EXPLORE PERSONAL PROBLEMS. RESIDENTS RECEIVED GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK. EVALUATION OF THE PROGRAM SHOWED SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER RECIDIVISM RATES AMONG RESIDENTS AND OVERALL SUCCESS IN REHABILITATING MOST RESIDENTS. REFERENCES ARE APPENDED. (MJW)