Delaware CREST Outreach Centers
Problems addressed
Recidivism
Drug abuse
Effectiveness

Promising

.

.

.

.

.

Promising

Want to know more about this classification? Check out our methodological manual.

Life periods served
Adults (18 to 59 years)
Where the program was applied
Prisons or socio-educational residential centers
Country of application
United States
Description

This is a program that utilizes the residential therapeutic model to accompany incarcerated individuals during the release phase.
It offers psychotherapy, counselling, and drug abuse treatment in five phases:
1) The first two weeks are dedicated to orientation, assessment, and group therapy;
2) For the next eight weeks, participants carry out occupational activities in the therapeutic community;
3) During phase three, they continue their counseling activities, mentor new participants, and take on additional responsibilities related to work and the community;
4) The activities undertaken in the previous topic continue, plus vocational training and preparation for freedom;
5) The last phase involves reintegration into the job market outside the prison.

Impact evaluations

An impact evaluation showed that the program contributed to a reduction in drug abuse among the incarcerated female population, but without significant effects on condom use or criminal recidivism. On the other hand, an evaluation carried out with a group of male and female prisoners showed that the program was effective for both recidivism and substance use [1] [2].

Bibliographic reference

[1] Martin, Steven S., Clifford A. Butzin, & James A. Inciardi. 1995. “Assessment of a Multistage Therapeutic Community for Drug-Involved Offenders.” Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 27(1):109–116.

[2] Martin, Steven S., Clifford A. Butzin, Christine A. Saum, & James A. Inciardi. 1999. “Three-Year Outcomes of Therapeutic Community Treatment for Drug-Involved Offenders in Delaware: From Prison to Work Release to Aftercare.” The Prison Journal 79(3):294–320.

Information source