NCJ Number
167473
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 60 Issue: 3 Dated: (September 1996) Pages: 18-23
Date Published
1996
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article evaluates the medical model and alternative approaches to dealing with substance-abusing criminals.
Abstract
The medical model is based on the belief that the major goal of corrections should be treatment of criminal offenders. This view regards substance abuse and criminal behavior as disorders or pathological conditions that need to be treated and cured. However, research data suggest that substance abuse is most appropriately considered a maladaptive behavior, not a disease, and that it responds favorably to a structured program which sets precise limits and is based on social learning principles. The therapeutic community (TC) is one such approach that has had promising results. The traditional TC is an inpatient program with highly structured activities. It fosters a multistage process in which participants are evaluated by their changes in attitude and behavior. Followup studies of prison-based therapeutic communities provide evidence that they can produce reductions in recidivism rates for offenders with histories of serious drug use. The medical model, which includes encouraging, listening to, and empathizing with clients in an attempt to convince them to get help, is no substitute for setting firm limits and taking decisive action. References