It has been found that offenders who receive substance abuse treatment both during incarceration and following parole to the community appear to have better outcomes than offenders who receive only treatment during incarceration do. In general, these studies have demonstrated that providing substance abuse treatment during incarceration and/or parole significantly reduces both substance use and criminal recidivism.
Clearly, the development of drug courts, TASC programs (treatment accountability for safer communities), and other innovative sentencing practices have diverted many alcohol/drug dependent offenders directly to substance abuse treatment programs in lieu of incarceration.
However, eligibility for these alternative sentencing programs requires offenders who abuse substances to typically be first or second time offenders, and have no past involvement with violent crimes. Anglin, Longshore, and Turner (1999) found that diversion programs to substance abuse treatment are effective in reducing substance use and lowering rates of criminal recidivism. Moreover, other research found these diversion programs to be cost effective (Mauser & Van Stelle, 1994).
Unfortunately, few alternatives are available for drug or alcohol dependent offenders who have more extensive criminal history records. In many cases mandatory sentencing guidelines require these individuals to serve time in a correctional facility, and not all-correctional facilities have substance abuse treatment programs. This results in overcrowded prisons comprised of drug/alcohol dependent offenders, and many of who pose little threat to society.
Another strategy is to provide incarcerated offenders with early parole directly to a community-based substance abuse treatment facility (SATF), allowing the offender to complete his/ her sentence in a community setting. This type of sentencing alternative has the benefit of reducing jail crowding while providing the offender with treatment.
Alabama Department of Corrections Drug Treatment Program Project Start Up Date: 1992.
Annual Budget/Funding Sources: $342,437 Bureau of Justice Assistance.
State funds Purpose Area: Improve the Corrections System Target......
