NCJ Number
157833
Date Published
1991
Length
29 pages
Annotation
Because recent research on intermediate sanctions suggests that intensive probation alone may not reduce recidivism, the San Diego Association of Governments has initiated an intensive supervision program for high-risk drug-involved offenders in San Diego County that combines increased contacts by probation officers, graduated sanctions for probation violations, and an intensive drug treatment program.
Abstract
A Substance Abuse Program for Probationers (ASAPP) is an intensive probation program that incorporates drug treatment. Goals of ASAPP are to address multifaceted problems of the chemically dependent criminal population, to remove from the community clients who continue to use illegal drugs and/or participate in criminal activity, and to supervise and treat those who remain in the community. The focus is on rehabilitation rather than on deterrence. A quasiexperimental design has been selected to compare ASAPP activities and outcomes among matched groups of high-risk probationers receiving different service and supervision levels. Program officials believe the provision of drug treatment within ASAPP will reduce subsequent drug use and criminal behavior of high-risk probationers. The final evaluation of ASAPP will determine if the program has achieved its goal of reducing drug use and recidivism among drug-involved offenders. By examining the use of graduated sanctions in combination with drug treatment, knowledge about the optimum mix of punishments for drug-involved offenders will be expanded. Preliminary evaluation results are presented for 455 probationers placed in ASAPP between February and September 1991, and specific research objectives and expected ASAPP outcomes to be included in the final program evaluation are noted. 29 references and 10 tables