NCJ Number
213831
Journal
Journal of Offender Rehabilitation Volume: 42 Issue: 1 Dated: 2005 Pages: 75-97
Date Published
2005
Length
23 pages
Annotation
This study examined correlates of recidivism among a sample of coerced drug treatment completers.
Abstract
Main findings indicated that offenders who recidivated after completing coerced drug treatment were likely to be younger, to have had more juvenile arrests, to have disliked treatment rules, and to have found treatment oppressive. Moreover, these recidivists viewed treatment as unnecessarily long and were unemployed and living alone following treatment completion. The findings suggest that in order to lower recidivism rates for drug treatment program completers, it is important to offer highly intensive aftercare that focuses on rule compliance, employment readiness, job placement, and family reunification skills. It is also important to screen drug abusing offenders for mental health problems and to refer dually diagnosed offenders to specialized treatment programs. Interviews were conducted at both treatment admission and at treatment completion with 156 participants admitted to the Drug Treatment Alternative to Prison (DTAP) program in Brooklyn, NY, between December 1990 and December 1992. Data included socio-demographic information, health and criminal histories, substance abuse patterns, perceptions of treatment, posttreatment arrangements, and 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year posttreatment rearrests. Data analysis involved the use of cross-tabulations and logistic regression models. Tables, references, notes