NCJ Number
186808
Journal
Substance Use and Misuse: An International Interdisciplinary Volume: 35 Issue: 12-14 Dated: 2000 Pages: 1967-2009
Date Published
2000
Length
43 pages
Annotation
This study presents a review and meta-analyses of research on the recidivism-reducing impact of correctionally based drug treatment programs in Germany.
Abstract
The data are part of the Correctional Drug Abuse Treatment Effectiveness (CDATE) project meta-analytic database (covering 1968-96) of evaluation research studies of correctional interventions. The 25 studies examined involved two main forms of correctional programming: social therapy programs and education/training programs. Recidivism was the dependent outcome variable in the evaluation studies reviewed. In social-therapeutic prisons, clients should be able to stay for 2-3 years, after which release on parole should be possible. The staff responsible for treatment consists mainly of psychologists, teachers, and social workers. German correctional interventions include a wide range of school and vocational training courses, as well as special training courses inside and outside of prisons. The programs outside of prison emphasize social skills training. A program for drunk drivers focuses on preventing them from repeating drunk-driving offenses. Overall, the studies of educational programs showed that they had no practical impact in reducing recidivism. The studies of drunk-driver programs showed no significant impact on recidivism but found enough promise to warrant further research. The studies of social therapy programs showed, on average, a statistically significant impact in reducing recidivism. 2 tables, 43 references, and 3 notes