NCJ Number
173628
Date Published
1997
Length
90 pages
Annotation
Maryland's Task Force on Drug Addicted Offenders presents recommendations designed to improve the effectiveness of substance abuse treatment for criminal offenders in the State.
Abstract
The Task Force concluded that although funding for quality treatment services is important, equal emphasis should be given to criminal justice services that facilitate treatment, such as drug testing and swift and certain responses to noncompliance. These actions are required if treatment is to become a full and effective partner in the effort to reduce recidivism. The Task Force thus developed recommendations designed to enhance the State's ability to modify offender behavior and consequently reduce crime in communities plagued by substance abuse. The report offers 14 main recommendations intended to develop a systemic effort among treatment and criminal justice agencies. The recommendations call for the development of statewide treatment and supervision standards, with flexibility for each jurisdiction to implement the standards according to the organizational structure of the locality. The thrust is to ensure that offenders are placed in appropriate treatment and supervision services designed to change behavior and reduce criminal activities. Recommendations for performance improvements include a 60-percent completion rate from treatment programs; the use of treatment placement criteria to guide the placement of offenders in appropriate treatment programs that can manage the risk of the offender to the community; and the use of swift, certain, and graduated sanctions to address noncompliance and improve outcomes. The emphasis is on criminal justice and treatment agency responsibility for engaging clients in a continuum of care. Appendixes provide information on treatment services in Maryland, treatment funding for drug-addicted offenders, the criminal justice population in Maryland, guiding principles developed by two State mental health and criminal justice agencies, and a copy of the Colorado legislation and description of its system. Also included is a memorandum of understanding between the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.