NCJ Number
154046
Date Published
1994
Length
33 pages
Annotation
This paper discusses gaps in drug treatment programs and services provided by the criminal justice system to women offenders.
Abstract
The research upon which this paper is based consisted of a literature review on the needs of substance-abusing women offenders, a quantitative assessment of the aggregate need for drug treatment among women in the criminal justice system, a national survey of drug treatment programs for this population, and case studies of treatment programs that serve women in various legal statuses and treatment settings. The study found that most drug treatment programs for women offenders fail to use standardized assessment methods and fail to assess various areas of possible collateral need including health care, psychological status, vocational skills, and deficiencies in coping skills. While most programs provide services including group counseling, relapse prevention, and 12-step support groups, they are of limited intensity and duration. One of the main obstacles to women entering and staying in drug treatment programs is the widespread lack of child care facilities. A comparative case study of 30 treatment programs for women offenders showed that there has been a considerable increase in treatment capacity, progress in developing a continuum of treatment options, increased efforts to improve system linkages, and a trend toward gender-sensitive service delivery. Nonetheless, there continue to be performance gaps, and therefore, areas for further improvement. 46 references