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Evaluation research on prison-based drug treatment programs and some policy implications.
The International Journal of the Addictions
|January 1, 1991
Summary
Prison drug treatment programs, available at scale recently, show mixed results on reducing recidivism. Despite modest costs, administrators may find them justifiable for marginal gains.
Area of Science:
- Criminology
- Public Health
- Addiction Studies
Background:
- Prison-based drug treatment programs have existed for over two decades in the U.S.
- Large-scale implementation of these programs is a recent development.
- Previous research indicates varied impacts on offender recidivism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of scaled prison drug treatment programs.
- To analyze the impact of these programs on recidivism rates.
- To assess the cost-benefit justification for administrators.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on prison-based drug treatment.
- Analysis of recidivism data from programs implemented at scale.
- Cost-effectiveness analysis of program implementation.
Main Results:
- The overall effect of prison drug treatment programs on recidivism rates is mixed.
- Programs available on a large scale have shown inconsistent outcomes.
- The modest financial costs may lead to perceived justification despite marginal results.
Conclusions:
- While not universally effective, prison drug treatment programs may offer value.
- Administrators may justify program costs due to potential, even if marginal, reductions in recidivism.
- Further research is needed to optimize program effectiveness and identify specific contributing factors.