NCJ Number
126680
Date Published
Unknown
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This report describes the activities and impact of a jail drug abuse demonstration project in Tucson, Ariz.
Abstract
Designed by Amity, Inc., under a grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the program features Amity's "therapeutic community," which uses education, counseling, and positive role models to help alienated persons assume a productive social role. Program participants reside in a separated section of the jail, where education and counseling are designed to help participants identify the causes of their alienation from society, family, self, and friends through substance abuse and criminal behavior. Participants are guided in developing methods for socializing within the institution. The dynamics of alienation and substance abuse outside the institution are explored with participants and their families. Participants are supplied with information and community resources that can assist in their reintegration into the community upon release. Tests show that participants typically improve in their socialization and adjustment skills between intake and release, and apparently 70-90 percent of released inmates have responded positively to the program based on a 6-month followup; however it is still to early to draw firm conclusions from the data, given the 30-percent response rate on the followup. Guidance is provided on starting such a jail program. Figures and photographs