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Impact of Supported Work on Ex-Addicts

NCJ Number
79766
Author(s)
K Dickinson; R Maynard
Editor(s)
F Skidmore, N Hennessey
Date Published
1981
Length
261 pages
Annotation
The impact of participation in supported work employment programs is assessed for 1,433 ex-addicts in terms of drug use, criminal activity, and ability to obtain and keep a job.
Abstract
Clients in the supported work demonstration programs are given assignments to complete in crews (a peer-group support strategy) under the close supervision of a person aware of their background. During the 12 to 18 months of program participation, the clients are expected to assume increasing responsibility for performance and productivity and thus to develop good work habits and a history of stable employment. The study sample involved experimental and control clients at four program sites (Chicago, Jersey City, Oakland, and Philadelphia). All subjects were interviewed at the time of assignment and at 9-month intervals for up to 3 years. Initially, employment gains were great for experimentals, but they decreased sharply as participants began to leave the supported work situations. At the 36-month interview, experimentals exhibited a small employment increase relative to controls, and by the last 3-month period, 49 percent of experimentals and only 32 percent of controls were employed - a statistically significant difference. Supported work was not found to have any significant influence on the ex-addicts' drug use. Both controls and experimentals reported using heroin (20 percent) and cocaine (16 to 18 percent), and marijuana use was substantial throughout the study period. Supported work had a strong effect on criminal activity, as measured by contacts with the criminal justice system. Analysis of 27 months of followup data indicated that 43 percent of the controls and only 34 percent of experimentals reported having been arrested. Tables are provided. Appended material includes supplementary figures, effects of the program on income, in-kind transfers, housing composition, and health care utilization; assessments of the impact of interview nonresponse on evaluation results; and data on the effects of length of time spent in supported work on program impacts. Over 60 references are given.