NCJ Number
198124
Journal
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs Volume: 34 Issue: 1 Dated: January/March 2002 Pages: 59-67
Date Published
January 2002
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This article describes the In Jail Intervention Program (IJIP), the characteristics of IJIP participants, and the effects of participation on post-release enrollment and completion in drug abuse treatment.
Abstract
The 14-day voluntary program was designed to assess participant substance abuse treatment requirements, prepare the participants for entering treatment upon release from custody, identify vacant treatment opportunities, and bridge or link custody with appropriate treatment in the community. Qualitative data were derived from 67 semi-structured interviews with participants, program staff, both civilian and sworn non-program staff at the jail, parole and probation officers, and treatment providers in the community. Quantitative data were assembled from several sources, including a client-oriented administrative database, jail administrative database, and the Oregon State Client Process Monitoring System. Results show that the typical interested inmate was a chronic offender with substance abuse problems. A substantial portion suffered from co-occurring mental health problems. Many participants admitted starting the program without interest in treatment. Although the program was designed to last 14 days, participants (especially those suffering from both substance abuse and mental health problems) benefited from repeating the cycle at least once, and perhaps two or three times. As a group, those that participated on multiple occasions (Multi-timers) were distinct. They had high rates of diagnosed mental illness, were more likely to be female, and more likely to have employment problems. Given the high rates of treatment failure and the fact that they participated in IJIP on multiple occasions, the Multi-timers might benefit from a longer and broader-scoped program in order to launch a recovery effort. Because of its expense, IJIP was closed shortly following the termination of Federal funding. 3 tables, 6 references