Effects of Case Management on Parolee Misconduct: The Bay Area Services Network

• NCJ Number: 209655
• Journal: Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 32 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2005 Pages: 205-222
• Author(s): Douglas Longshore; Susan Turner; Terry Fain
• Date Published: April 2005
• Length: 18 pages
• Grant Number(s): R01 DA08735
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study evaluated the effects of Bay Area Services Network (BASN) case management on treatment duration, access to health/social services, drug use, and criminal recidivism over a 6-month period.

Abstract

The Bay Area Services Network (BASN) is a case management intervention for drug-involved parolees in the San Francisco Bay area. Parolees can be referred to BASN by their parole agent at any time during their period of supervision. Case managers at BASN conduct a needs assessment, facilitate placement in drug abuse treatment and other services, and oversee coordination of services. BASN covers the cost of drug abuse treatment for up to 6 months. This study evaluated the effectiveness of BASN case management for drug-involved parolees. The sample consisted of parolees referred to BASN by their parole agent between 1995 and 1997; the comparison group consisted of those parolees referred to non-BASN treatment programs during the same time period. The sample included 419 BASN parolees and 239 comparison parolees. The two groups were similar in mean age, gender, and racial/ethnic breakdown. Analyses based on the full sample tested the relationship between parolee group and the following five outcomes: treatment duration, access to non-treatment services, drug use days, number of property crimes, and number of violent crimes. Results of the analyses found no differences in drug use or criminal involvement between drug-involved parolees referred to BASN case management or in the comparison group. In addition, no differences were found between the two groups in treatment duration or access to health/social services. The results did show, however, that among BASN parolees, those with a stronger case management dose reported fewer drug use days and property offenses. This indicates that BASN case management may have favorable effects on recidivism and drug use when delivered in a sufficient dose. References and 3 tables