The dilemmas of coordinating treatment with criminal justice

Problems the Abraxas Foundation encountered in accommodating therapeutic community practices to the justice system in order to develop an alternative for courtstipulated drug offenders are reviewed. First, traditional expectations for prospective clients' motivation proved to be unrealistic. Second, courts' needs for information on their clients' progress appeared to conflict with client confidentiality laws. Finally, Abraxas resented what it initially took to be the courts' intrusion into program affairs. In response, Abraxas has sensitized its staff to the courts' role, established a uniform policy on progress reports, promoted communications with external agencies, and emphasized coordination of treatment effort with court officials.