Cost-Effectiveness of Connecticut's In-Prison Substance Abuse Treatment

• NCJ Number: 208112
• Journal: Journal of Offender Rehabilitation Volume: 39 Issue: 3 Dated: 2004 Pages: 69-92
• Author(s): Marilyn Daley; Craig T. Love; Donald S. Shepard; Cheryl B. Petersen; Karen L. White; Frank B. Hall
• Editor(s): Nathaniel J. Pallone Ph.D.
• Date Published: 2004
• Length: 24 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study compared the cost-effectiveness of different levels or tiers of substance abuse treatment programs that have been implemented in State prisons throughout Connecticut.

Abstract

Research conducted in 1998 by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of National Drug Control Policy which summarized 20 years of federally funded research estimated that prison-based treatment followed by community aftercare reduced recidivism by approximately 50 percent. However, with limited resources, providing treatment to addicted offenders may be perceived as a low priority by the tax-paying public. The public must be shown the benefits of treatment programs, monetary and non-monetary. Using data from the State of Connecticut Department of Correction and the State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, this study examined the costs and effectiveness of four levels or tiers of substance abuse treatment in Connecticut prisons for a sample of 831 inmates released in fiscal year 1996-1997. The four levels of treatment included: (1) Tier One--1-week session of drug/alcohol education; (2) Tier Two--30 outpatient group sessions 3 days a week for 10 weeks; (3) Tier Three--intensive day treatment program consisting of four sessions a week for 4 months, for a total of 64 sessions; and (4) Tier Four--residential treatment program consisting of full-time daily treatment for 6 months. The cost-effectiveness analysis suggested that incarcerated offenders who attended substance abuse treatment programs in Connecticut State prisons, specifically the more intensive outpatient, day treatment, and residential programs were significantly less likely to be arrested in the year following release than similar offenders with identified drug/alcohol problems and not in treatment programs. The benefits of the higher tier programs far exceeded their costs, suggesting a sizable return to society on their investment. Tables and references