NCJ Number
48472
Date Published
1977
Length
55 pages
Annotation
A PROJECT DESIGNED TO HELP PAROLEES WITH DRUG AND/OR ALCOHOL PROBLEMS IN THEIR REENTRY INTO THE COMMUNITY IS EVALUATED AS A CANDIDATE FOR LEAA EXEMPLARY PROJECT STATUS.
Abstract
PROJECT FIRE, WHICH OPERATES FIVE OFFICES AND TWO SATELLITE SERVICE CENTERS, SERVED 636 CLIENTS DURING ITS FIRST 5 YEARS. FIRE, A BRANCH OF THE ADDICTION SERVICES DIVISION OF THE CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION, IS AIMED AT REDUCING RECIDIVISM (INCLUDING BOTH CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR AND RETURN TO DRUG OR ALCOHOL ABUSE) AMONG PAROLEES WITH HISTORIES OF DRUG OR ALCOHOL ADDICTION. THE PROGRAM OFFERS CLIENTS ASSISTANCE IN FINDING HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT, IN DEALING WITH FAMILY AND COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIPS AND WITH DRUG OR ALCOHOL DEPENDENCY, AND IN TAKING ADVANTAGE OF EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES. POTENTIAL CLIENTS ARE IDENTIFIED BY ALCOHOL AND DRUG COUNSELORS IN THE PRISONS AND ARE REFERRED TO FIRE PRIOR TO THEIR RELEASE. SINCE 1975, PAROLE BOARDS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STIPULATE FIRE PARTICIPATION AS A CONDITION OF PAROLE. FIRE OPERATIONS ARE DESCRIBED, AND EVALUATION FINDINGS ON THE PROGRAM'S EFFECTIVENESS ARE REVIEWED. THE EVALUATION OFFERS EVIDENCE OF A DIFFERENCE IN RECIDIVISM RATES BETWEEN FIRE CLIENTS AND A COMPARISON GROUP BUT DOES NOT ESTIMATE THE PROJECT'S EFFECT ON DRUG USE. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT, WHILE THE FIRE PROJECT APPEARS WORTHY OF HIGH COMMENDATION, THE EVALUATION PROVIDES LESS-THAN-CONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE REGARDING GOAL ACHIEVEMENT. SUPPORTING DATA AND DOCUMENTATION ARE PROVIDED. (LKM)