NCJ Number
207211
Journal
Journal of Offender Rehabilitation Volume: 39 Issue: 1 Dated: 2004 Pages: 63-82
Date Published
2004
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This study evaluated the effectiveness of the Treatment Alternatives to Street Crime (TASC) program in terms of offender recidivism.
Abstract
As a result of the “War on Drugs,” the criminal justice system has been flooded with offenders who have serious drug or alcohol problems. As such, the criminal justice system has shifted its focus toward treatment programs. Treatment Alternatives to Street Crime (TASC) is a program designed to address the personal, social, and vocational problems that accompany a substance abuse problem. The program is intended for offenders with substance abuse problems who are under some form of community supervision and its primary goal is to link the criminal justice system with community service providers. The current article presents evaluation results from the Toledo/Lucas County (Ohio)-Treatment Alternatives to Street Crime (TLC-TASC), which provides assessments of clients’ treatment needs, links the clients with appropriate service providers, and provides on-going case management to assist and counsel clients. Participants were 300 clients who were discharged from the TASC during 2000. Data were drawn from the case files and official law enforcement records of all clients; under examination was the occurrence of rearrest during the 1-year period following TLC-TASC program completion. Results of logistic regression analysis indicated that successful completion of the program was significantly associated with remaining in the community for 1-year without rearrest. This result remained after controlling for age, sex, prior criminal history, prior alcohol and drug use, and other relevant variables. Future research should focus on outcome measures other than recidivism, such as the programs’ effect on future drug use or educational pursuits. Tables, references, notes