NCJ Number
221183
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 69 Issue: 6 Dated: December 2007 Pages: 46-49
Date Published
December 2007
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article proposes some expanded, innovative ways of using relapse prevention therapy (RPT) in the criminal justice system.
Abstract
A narrative review by Kathleen Carroll and a meta-analysis by Jennifer E. Irvin et al. concluded that RPT is an empirically supported treatment that is effective in preventing treated drug addicts from relapsing into heavy drug use. The National Institute of Drug Abuse classifies RPT as an evidence-based practice, which means it has been proven effective through sound evaluation research. The most effective core components of RPT are to train clients' family members, intimate partners, and close friends in relapse prevention; engage in relapse rehearsal; and instruction in offense "chain analysis." Other core components of RPT are the identification of high-risk situations, coping-skills training, "booster" sessions/aftercare, and dealing with failure situations. Traditional applications of RPT have been limited to rehabilitation programming for offenders who are already incarcerated or on probation. This article suggests that RPT be applied in new and creative ways in corrections. One suggestion is that criminal defense attorneys, prosecutors, and judges be instructed in the RPT model, so it may be accepted and used as a feature of court-mandated plans for preventing reoffending. Also relapse prevention should be included in offender reentry planning as well as in probation and parole supervision. In the latter instance, probation and parole officers would be trained in RPT components and incorporate them in case management. Correctional innovations based on RPT should be further developed, disseminated, and tested in order to further the goals of crime reduction and successful integration of offenders into the community. 14 references