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Drug Treatment in the Jail Setting: A National Demonstration Program

NCJ Number
152365
Date Published
1991
Length
42 pages
Annotation
In describing the demonstration program entitled Drug Treatment in the Jail Setting, this report considers its goals, its accomplishments, and how other jails can benefit from this program.
Abstract
The goals of the project were to reduce drug abuse, criminality, and jail overcrowding by establishing model jail- based drug treatment demonstration programs in several metropolitan jails. Central to the goals of the program was the development of more effective models of jail-based drug treatment intervention that could accomplish reduction in the level of chemical dependency for the offender, a reduction in the length and frequency of future incarceration, and a reduction in the level of frequency of criminal activity after release. Three programs are described: the Amity/Pima County Jail model (Arizona); the Hillsborough County model (Florida); and the Cook County model (Illinois). The Pima County Jail model treats approximately 50 sentenced male and female offenders for an average length of 6 months. Treatment is contracted to an outside therapeutic community agency and is provided in a direct supervision pod. Following release offenders are referred to a full-time residential facility or to other less intensive levels of community treatment based on availability and inmate needs. The Hillsborough County Jail mode treats approximately 50 offenders in a 30-day relapse prevention program. Relapse prevention treatment is provided by counselors who are employed by the Sheriff's Office. Postrelease followup for this model is especially critical, since the treatment period is short. The Cook County Jail model provides treatment to approximately 220 men and 30 women. Treatment is of the therapeutic community type, with housing in five 40-man dorms. Descriptions for each program address treatment philosophy, program goals and objectives, program structure, program services, screening/assessment, gatekeeping function, and drug testing. This report also discusses program funding resources and provides references and a resource list. 2 notes