NCJ Number
48093
Journal
Journal of Drug Issues Volume: 8 Issue: 1 Dated: (WINTER 1978) Pages: 113-122
Date Published
1978
Length
10 pages
Annotation
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A MULTIFACETED SYSTEM DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE ABILITY OF COMMUNITY TREATMENT PROGRAMS TO REDUCE ADDICT-CLIENT CRIMINALITY ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
OPERATIONAL TREATMENT PHILOSOPHY AND PRACTICES OF TREATMENT PROGRAM ADMINISTRATORS AND STAFF TYPICALLY EXCLUDE ACTIVITIES AIMED AT REDUCTION OF INDIVIDUAL CLIENT CRIMINALITY, DESPITE PROVEN EFFECTIVENESS. UNLESS THE CLIENT IS FREE OF CRIMINALITY, REARREST AND DEPRIVATION OF FREEDOM WILL OCCUR. THE FIRST TASK OF TREATMENT IS ATTITUDINAL. PROGRAMS SHOULD BE FORTHRIGHT REGARDING THE GOAL OF REDUCING CLIENT CRIMINALITY, AND THIS GOAL SHOULD BE REITERATED FROM TIME TO TIME. STAFF MEMBERS MUST BE COMMITTED TO THIS GOAL AS A FUNCTION OF TREATMENT. IN ORDER TO PREPARE A COMPREHENSIVE TREATMENT PROGRAM, THE STAFF SHOULD OBTAIN A CRIMINAL HISTORY OF THE CLIENT UPON ADMISSION TO THE PROGRAM. WHEN PREPARING THIS PLAN, THE CLIENT'S PATTERNS OF CRIMINALITY AND POSSIBLE EXPLANATORY VARIABLES SHOULD BE IDENTIFIED. FOR EXAMPLE, ARMED ROBBERY COULD BE A SITUATIONAL OCCURRENCE OR IT COULD BE LINKED TO A LENGTHY PATTERN OF ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOR. THE CLIENT'S ABILITY TO FUNCTION IN THE COMMUNITY AS EVIDENCED BY PRIOR PROBATION AND PAROLE EXPERIENCES SHOULD BE ASSESSED. THE STAFF WORKER SHOULD ALSO EVALUATE THE CLIENT'S CURRENT RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS OR HER PROBATION/PAROLE OFFICER. TREATMENT PROGRAMS MUST STRIVE TO CREATE LAW-ABIDING ATMOSPHERE ON AND AROUND THE TREATMENT PREMISES. CLIENT ACTIVITIES SHOULD BE MONITORED TO ENFORCE RULES PROHIBITING ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES. THESE PROGRAMS SHOULD ALSO MAINTAIN OPEN COMMUNICATIONS WITH PROBATION AND PAROLE PERSONNEL, IMPROVE DIALOG AND RELATIONS WITH THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY, AND EMPLOY A TREATMENT PROGRAM LAWYER DESIGNATED TO HANDLE CLIENT AFFAIRS. TREATMENT AFTERCARE IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT IN REDUCING CLIENT CRIMINALITY, FOR WITHOUT IT THE PROGRAM MAY BE PASSIVELY CONTRIBUTING TO THE FUTURE CRIMINALITY OF FORMER CLIENTS. TO BE EFFECTIVE, A TREATMENT PROGRAM SHOULD SYNTHESIZE ALL THESE SUGGESTIONS INTO ONE APPROACH. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (JSP)