Gateway Houses: effectiveness of treatment on criminal behavior

Arrest rates for the year preceding admission to and the year following discharge from the Gateway Houses program were determined for three groups of former residents: Group 1, early dropouts; Group 2, late dropouts; and Group 3, persons who completed treatment. Data were obtained from police records. Results showed that arrest rates for the groups were comparable prior to admission but significantly different following discharge. Group 1 showed no change in arrest rates from the year prior to admission to the year following discharge, Group 2 showed an 81% reduction in arrest rates, and Group 3 showed a 97% reduction in arrest rates. It is argued that change in criminal behavior occurred as a function of treatment.