Jail Drug and Alcohol Treatment Program Reduces Recidivism in Nonviolent Offenders: A Longitudinal Study of Monroe County, New York's, Jail Treatment Drug and Alcohol Program

• NCJ Number: 208122
• Journal: International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 48 Issue: 6 Dated: December 2004 Pages: 721-728
• Author(s): Alan Turley; Tim Thornton; Craig Johnson; Sue Azzolino
• Editor(s): Adrienne Palermo R.N.
• Date Published: December 2004
• Length: 8 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This longitudinal study assessed the effectiveness of the Jail Treatment Drug and Alcohol Program in Monroe County, NY.

Abstract

Monroe County, NY's program of substance abuse treatment for nonviolent offenders has been credited with reducing recidivism and repeat alcohol/drug offenses. Key components of the program include: (1) voluntary participation, (2) daily counseling; (3) assigned counselors; and (4) follow-up treatment after release. This study assessed the success of the jail treatment program over 5 years by analyzing data on treatment and arrest rates for a cohort of inmates from the years 1995, 1998, and 2000. The data demonstrated that for up to 1 year after receiving the treatment, three different cohorts of nonviolent, short-term inmates were found to be substantially less likely to be recidivists. Tables, references