NCJ Number
222806
Date Published
January 2003
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This is one of three reports on ways to improve the link between research and drug treatment in correctional settings, based on a literature review, interviews with corrections practitioners, and a discussion among researchers and practitioners.
Abstract
Many of the suggestions derived from the project are detailed in the three reports produced by the project. The current report outlines the major research gaps and strategies for promoting science-based correctional drug treatment and presents 12 principles for effective corrections-based treatment. First, distinguish between screening and assessment. Second, identify prisoner needs and then match them with appropriate services. Third, tailor treatment to level of risk. Fourth, ensure that services are available for the offender needs identified. Fifth, implement drug treatment interventions and strategies that address the distinctive needs of various offender populations. Sixth, address each inmate's co-occurring needs. Seventh, ensure that drug treatment is of sufficient duration to achieve the intended outcomes. Eighth, develop sustained, broad-based support for inmate drug treatment throughout each prison. Ninth, integrate drug treatment throughout the criminal justice system. Tenth, link postrelease community-based drug treatment to prison-based drug treatment. Eleventh, systematically integrate drug treatment across all stages of criminal justice processing. Twelfth, make comprehensive, integrated, research-based drug-treatment a central component of a crime-control strategy. 8 notes