Five-Year Outcomes of Therapeutic Community Treatment of Drug-Involved Offenders After Release From Prison

• NCJ Number: 203419
• Journal: Crime & Delinquency Volume: 50 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2004 Pages: 88-107
• Author(s): James A. Inciardi; Steven S. Martin; Clifford A. Butzin
• Date Published: January 2004
• Length: 20 pages
• Grant Number(s): DA06124; DA06948
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This paper reports on the methodology and findings of an evaluation of a Delaware offender residential drug treatment program in the context of work release.

Abstract

The treatment regimen in the work-release treatment community (TC) follows a five-phase model over a 6-month period. Phase 1 consists of entry, assessment, evaluation, and orientation. Phase 2 emphasizes involvement in the TC community through meetings, group therapy, one-on-one interaction, confrontation of other unmotivated residents, and the nurturing of new participants in the TC. Phase 3 continues the elements of phase 2, with an emphasis on role modeling and overseeing the operation of the community. Phase 4 begins preparation for gainful employment, and phase 5 involves re-entry through gainful employment in the community while continuing to live in the work-release facility and serving as a role model in the TC. The sample for the evaluation of the program consisted of 1,077 offenders classified as approved for work release with a recommendation for drug treatment between 1991 and 1997. Because the number so classified exceeded the capacity of the treatment programs during the study period, those eligible were assigned to either treatment or to regular work release. This allowed for the use of a "no-treatment" group for comparison purposes. The research protocol included baseline and multiple follow-up interviews with all treatment and comparison clients, as well as HIV and urine testing at each contact. Interviews were conducted at 18, 42, and 60 months after baseline. Treatment dropouts were also followed. A final total of 690 persons participated in all phases of the evaluation. At 5 years, those who participated in the program were significantly more likely to be drug and arrest free. Treatment graduates with or without aftercare had significantly greater probabilities of remaining both arrest-free and drug-free than did the "no-treatment" comparison group. Dropouts were also significantly more likely to be drug-free, although not significantly less likely to have a new arrest than those without treatment. 5 tables, 1 figure, and 48 references