NCJ Number
172692
Journal
Perspectives Volume: 20 Issue: 3 Dated: Summer 1997 Pages: 34-37
Date Published
1997
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The effectiveness of the pilot project of the United States Bureau of Prisons to implement the concept of the Comprehensive Sanctions Center (CSC) in cooperation with the Federal Probation System was studied by means of surveys of the 10 chief probation officers who helped pioneer the program and the 16 CSC directors in the spring of 1996.
Abstract
The CSC is an intensive, multidimensional halfway house program that incorporates several rehabilitative programs and varying levels of supervision. The programs of this community-based correctional center reach a broad spectrum of offenders, including higher-risk Federal offenders who previously might have been denied placement in a halfway house program. The CSC uses a comprehensive classification system that includes 5 levels ranging from 24-hour restriction to home confinement. Offenders must take part in a fixed number of hours of drug education and life skills training, including job readiness, financial management, and wellness. The survey results revealed strong support for the CSC concept. An additional, analysis focusing on 377 offenders, revealed that the required number of hours of drug education and life skills training was overly ambitious and that the use of mentors and other volunteers might be a viable option if a large investment occurs in time for training.