Process Evaluation of the Genesis Program at the Southern New Mexico Correctional Facility

• NCJ Number: 179986
• Author(s): Paul Guerin Ph.D.; Robert Hyde M.A.; Mitzi Wyatt B.A.
• Date Published: 1999
• Length: 32 pages
• Grant Number(s): 1997-RT-VX-K002
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation

Annotation

This report presents the methodology and findings of a process evaluation of the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) program at the Southern New Mexico Correction Facility in Las Cruces, N. Mex.

Abstract

The Genesis program is one of four therapeutic communities in the New Mexico Corrections Department and the only one receiving Federal RSAT funds. Inmates eligible for the Genesis program must first meet certain institutional eligibility criteria before they can be considered for the program. Program goals are to improve knowledge of personal substance abuse and reduce abuse in the correctional unit, to develop a personal recovery plan for each program participant, to reduce substance abuse upon entering the community, and to reduce recidivism related to substance abuse activities. Evaluation findings show that between July 31, 1997, and July 1, 1998, the Genesis program admitted and provided services to 40 inmates. The average age of the inmates was 34, and the length of the sentence for those in the program ranged from 18 to 180 months and averaged 53.3 months. Almost 44 percent of the inmates were Hispanic; more than 38 percent were Anglo; 10 percent were Native American; and almost 8 percent were black. More than 66 percent were employed full-time before being incarcerated, and over 72 percent reported drug use as a juvenile. More than 97 percent reported drug use as an adult. Just over half of the inmates had graduated from high school, and inmates had an average of 3.4 juvenile arrests and 4.3 adult arrests. 8 tables and a 21-item bibliography