NCJ Number
198799
Date Published
2001
Length
95 pages
Annotation
This report presents a comprehensive overview and brief evaluation of the New York State Department of Correctional Services, Comprehensive Alcohol and Substance Abuse Treatment Program (CASAT) expanding the Department’s existing alcohol and substance abuse treatment programs and providing a continuum of treatment.
Abstract
In 1989, the Prison Omnibus Legislation provided for the expansion of the New York State, Department of Correctional Services’ existing alcohol and substance abuse treatment programs. The legislation called for the establishment of six 200-bed alcohol and substance abuse treatment annexes at specified locations, as well as an aftercare component. The result of this legislation was the creation of the Comprehensive Alcohol and Substance Abuse Treatment Program (CASAT). The CASAT program is intended to provide a continuum of treatment services designed to achieve five goals: (1) prepare participants to return to their families and communities upon release; (2) focus facility resources on the needs of inmates with a history of alcohol and substance abuse; (3) ensure appropriate aftercare services in the community; (4) increase coordination among the pertinent State and local agencies, service providers, and community organizations; and (5) reduce drug and alcohol relapse rates and recidivism rates for program participants. The program is comprised of three distinct phases: (1) Annex (Phase I); (2) Community Reintegration (Phase II); and (3) Aftercare (Phase III). The first phase involves participation in an Alcohol and Substance Abuse Correctional Treatment Center (ASACTC), a therapeutic community. The second phase, a transition phase involves participants moving to work release facilities with select participants later placed in the community. The final phase of the program is an aftercare component based on participants’ needs and developed treatment plans with a focus on relapse prevention. This phase is the first year of release to parole supervision. From October 1990 through June 2001, 31, 394 inmates participated in Phase I of the CASAT program with 77 percent of the participants successfully completing Phase I and moving to Phase II, community reintegration. In June 2001, 11,146 participants successfully completed Phase II and were released to parole supervision, Phase III. It is estimated that approximately $208 million in cost savings has resulted from operation of the CASAT program since its implementation through June 2001. Tables, figures, and appendix