NCJ Number
104445
Date Published
1986
Length
6 pages
Annotation
The Massachusetts Department of Corrections has established the Longwood Treatment Center to provide a minimum-security setting for the treatment of drunk driving offenders with multiple convictions.
Abstract
The program grew out of awareness that 25 percent of the commitments to local houses of corrections were drunk driving offenders. The Longwood Center has 125 beds and is an inpatient facility. It provides a comprehensive range of services following an initial screening assessment. Programs are individualized, based on the length of the sentence and the inmate's progress in attaining the goals of the individualized treatment plan. Treatment has three phases. The first phase consists of an orientation to the facility, a comprehensive evaluation, educational lectures, and treatment sessions. Each inmate also attends a special weekly group focusing on a topic such as women's issues, relapse prevention, the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, and adult children of alcoholic parents. The program also incorporates Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-Anon, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and Narcotics Anonymous. Family involvement and spiritual needs also receive attention. The second phase is a much less structured program designed to promote self-reliance. Inmates entering this phase must have at least 4 weeks left in their sentences. Inmates in the third phase are in work-release status and also attend group therapy, Alcoholics Anonymous, and other meetings. 4 references.