NCJ Number
111491
Date Published
1987
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This survey compares the overall recidivism rate for the New York State Department of Correctional Services with the return rate of 435 male offender participants in a drug treatment program at two of the State's correctonal facilities.
Abstract
Male participants leaving the drug treatment program from 1978 through 1984 were tracked to determine the likelihood they would return to the department's custody following release. The study sample was divided into three groups according to their reasons for leaving the programs at Arthurkill and Bayview Correctional Facilities. Of the total, 220 were classified 'satisfactory program participants,' 79 dropped out, and 77 were administratively terminated. Of the remainder, 51 were reassigned to another facility and 8 completed their sentences. Computerized data were used to determine the number of program participants who had been released as of the cutoff date, December 31, 1985. The cutoff release date was selected to ensure a minimum followup period of 12 months. Results indicate a 32-percent return rate among satisfactory program participants, compared to 54.5 percent for administrative dismissals, and 48.1 percent for voluntary resignations. Actual return rates of the two groups of unsatisfactory program participants were substantially higher than projected rates. Findings support the hypothesis that satisfactory participation in the Stay-N-Out program positively relates to postrelease adjustment.