NCJ Number
155295
Date Published
1993
Length
65 pages
Annotation
The Texas Treatment Alternatives to Incarceration Program (TAIP), a program for drug-abusing offenders, was evaluated with respect to its implementation and preliminary outcomes.
Abstract
The initial group of offenders entered treatment in June 1992. The process evaluation examined the screening, assessment, and referral processes; the location of the screening, assessment, and referral agency; communication issues; treatment variation; training; and participant attitudes. Findings indicated that 38 of every 100 referrals from the courts or field probation officers were screened or assessed as not needing or as inappropriate for treatment. Those determined to not need treatment had recidivism rates similar to those of the treatment population, supporting the assessment that treatment was not appropriate for this group. In general, communication among the criminal justice personnel, the screening and assessment agency, and treatment providers appeared to be satisfactory. The percentage of clients with positive attitudes toward treatment increased after starting treatment. Treatment counselors appeared to be qualified to perform their jobs. The preliminary findings on outcomes appeared to support the programs premise, that treatment of drug abusing offenders can reduce criminal activity. The evaluation's second phase will examine further issues, including retention and treatment-offender matching. Tables, figures, and appended survey instrument