Forever Free
Effectiveness

Promising

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Promising

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Life periods served
Where the program was applied
Country of application
Description

This program uses the therapeutic residential model to treat incarcerated women who abuse drugs.
Inmates are monitored for six months through individual counseling, workshops, educational seminars, 12-step programs, and urine tests to detect drug abuse. Individual and group counseling covers topics such as self-esteem; anger management; assertiveness training; healthy versus abusive relationships; abuse and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder; co-dependency; motherhood; sex; and health.
Upon completion of the program and eligibility for parole, the women can voluntarily participate in a community program.

Impact evaluations

An impact evaluation showed that program participants had a statistically significant reduction in recidivism, convictions, and drug abuse when compared to the control group. However, there were no statistically significant impacts on reincarceration or employability rates [1].

Bibliographic reference

[1] Hall, E. A., Prendergast, M. L., Wellisch, J., Patten, M. & Cao, Y. (2004). Treating Drug-Abusing Women Prisoners: An Outcomes Evaluation of the Forever Free Program. The Prison Journal, 84(1), 81–105. https://doi.org/10.1177/0032885503262456

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