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Factors Influencing the Outcome of Offender Substance Abuse Treatment

NCJ Number
158132
Journal
Forum on Corrections Research Volume: 7 Issue: 3 Dated: September 1995 Pages: 8-11
Author(s)
J. R. Weekes; W. A. Millson; L. O. Lightfoot
Date Published
September 1995
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This study examined the impact of severity of substance abuse problem, risk of recidivism, and treatment performance on the substance abuse treatment outcome of 317 adult inmates who participated in the Offender Substance Abuse Pre-release program at a Canadian correctional facility.
Abstract
Of the program participants, 16 percent were identified as having a low-level substance abuse problem, 20 percent an intermediate problem, 40.5 percent a substantial problem, 20 percent a severe problem, and 3.5 percent were diagnosed with no alcohol or drug abuse problem. The results of this study showed that inmates with more serious substance abuse problems were rearrested at a significantly higher rate than inmates with less severe abuse problems. Offenders identified as being at high risk were also returned to custody more quickly than those classified as low-risk. Program performance, based on pre- and post-program measures, was related to the likelihood of conviction for new offenses. 4 figures and 11 notes