NCJ Number
167565
Date Published
1996
Length
96 pages
Annotation
This is a detailed description of a computer-assisted substance abuse education program for correctional populations.
Abstract
Factors which must be considered for successful correctional substance abuse programs include: staff time; program staff burn-out; inmate cheating and sustainability of program integrity; measurability and accountability; and relevance to inmate and institutional problems. The program described in this paper used take-home study booklets to deliver information to participants, enabling them to study in their cells or in the library; thus no additional classroom space was needed. In addition, because inmates could study at night or other times of their choosing, and at their own pace, presence of instructional staff was not required. The paper describes development of a computer program for use with the take-home study booklet approach to overcome validity and verification problems of traditional correctional substance abuse programs. Because inmates were forced to spend long hours studying to pass tests that they previously had cheated their way through, the computer-assisted program became a management tool. Keeping inmates productively occupied for long periods of time studying for rehabilitative programs meant fewer opportunities for the destructive and trouble-causing behavior that might result from too much free time. The paper also describes other positive results of this program for both inmates and staff. References