NCJ Number
182140
Date Published
October 1998
Length
62 pages
Annotation
This survey of substance abuse treatment program managers and treatment staff in Iowa correctional facilities addressed program/staff characteristics, the transfer of client information between programs, and treatment content and consistency.
Abstract
The most notable finding of the survey is that information deemed necessary by both managers and staff at institution and community-based programs is not available. Reasons for this were not determined and could be the subject of further study. Problems of continuity of care due to transfers or change of status were found, and there was no evaluation of how treatments or services unavailable through the Department of Corrections are provided by community or private programs. The considerable variability in planned length of stay at institution-based programs indicates that delivery time and possible efficacy of treatment varies from program to program. In order to evaluate treatment content and program delivery more thoroughly, instruments should be developed along the line of the Drug and Alcohol Program Treatment Inventory. This would provide a basic core of treatment information and permit the identification of elements of treatment to which each client was exposed. These instruments, combined with measures of outcome that are now being developed could provide the Department of Corrections with state-of-the-art means of evaluating programs. Further studies should assess the number of clients denied treatment due to exclusionary criteria. The development of specialized programs for specific types of inmates should be explored. 16 tables, 6 figures, 5 references, and appended survey questionnaire