NCJ Number
189223
Journal
Forum on Corrections Research Volume: 13 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2001 Pages: 21-23
Date Published
January 2001
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article reviews the effectiveness of the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) in incorporating into its substance abuse programs mechanisms for increasing offender participation.
Abstract
In September 1998, the CSC's core substance abuse programs, the Offender Substance Abuse Pre-Release Program (OSAPP) and the "Choices" community-based program were accredited by a panel of international addictions experts as state-of-the-art substance abuse interventions programs for offender clients. OSAPP is a 26-session institution-based program that is designed for offenders with intermediate to severe substance abuse problems. The Choices program is intended for delivery in the community as the primary form of treatment for offenders with low severity problems and as the community treatment component for offenders with more serious problems. Data suggest that, with some variation across the five regions of the country, there is apparently only a modest national shortfall of 131 spaces in enrollments in OSAPP. A review of the assessment of the substance-abuse severity of the participants in OSAPP, however, showed that almost 31 percent of an offender sample referred to the program had either a low-severity substance abuse problem or no substance abuse problem. This suggests inappropriate use of the program. The most intensive intervention resources should be reserved for offenders who are at the greatest risk to reoffend and who have the greatest treatment needs. Interventions should be strongly oriented toward skill-development and should match the outlook, orientation, and characteristics of the client. 2 tables and 5 notes