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Evaluation of the Cook County Community Based Transitional Services for Female Offenders Program

NCJ Number
222257
Author(s)
Gaylene S. Armstrong Ph.D; George Burruss Ph.D.; Martha Henderson Ph.D.
Date Published
July 2007
Length
66 pages
Annotation
This report presents findings from a process evaluation and outcome assessment of the Cook County, Illinois Community Based Transitional Services for Female Offenders (CBTSFO) program in 2004.
Abstract

It is evident that the development and implementation of the Cook County Community Based Transitional Services for Female Offenders (CBTSFO) program is well developed, organized, and implemented within the targeted population. The evaluation finds that the CTBSFO program design and implementation is consistent with the current state of the field with regard to “best practices” for female substance abusers. The impact of the CTBSFO program is more difficult to delineate. The make-up of the probationers who are participating in the CTBSFO program clearly demonstrated a higher level of risk and treatment needs than their diversified caseload counterparts. It is concluded that the CBTSFO program group has a higher level of risk and identifiable needs related to substance use and criminal behavior. Several recommendations for the continued success of the CBTSFO program are presented. The CTBSFO was implemented in 2004 in an attempt to break the cycle of offending for the women sanctioned to supervision as a result of a driving under the influence (DUI) offense. The program provides intensive, individualized services in addition to group substance abuse treatment for female offenders under the supervision of the Cook County Department of Social Services. A two-pronged assessment was conducted which included a process evaluation and an outcomes assessment. This report, supported by the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, summarizes the findings of the full report from the evaluation. Tables and references