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Community Accountability and Treatment Services

NCJ Number
129639
Journal
American Jails Volume: 5 Issue: 1 Dated: (March/April 1991) Pages: 16-24
Author(s)
S Wiant
Date Published
1991
Length
9 pages
Annotation
The Community Accountability and Treatment Services Program (CATS) in Montgomery County, Maryland's correctional system is described.
Abstract
It was developed in response to a need for less costly alternatives to incarceration and intermediate sanctions. It began accepting clients on April 15, 1990 and can now handle 60 cases. The program serves as a link between Prerelease Center (PRC) and probation. Prior to placement into the program, the offenders must serve some time in detention as well as meet certain eligibility criteria. The main components are structured community treatment and careful monitoring of the participant in the community. The treatment part consists of employment, counseling by caseworkers, life skills training, and guidance counseling for family members as well as substance abuse education and training, a 12-step meeting, and community services. The second component of the program involves daily case worker contact, verification of participants activities, alcohol testing three times a day, and drug testing three times a week. Supervision of the participant by a community sponsor and electronic monitoring at home are also required. 4 figures and 8 footnotes