Predicting Retention in a Therapeutic Community for Incarcerated Substance Abusers

In this paper, factors associated with retention in CREST, a therapeutic community for incarcerated substance abusers, are explored. Few studies have simultaneously examined different types of potential predictors that research has identified as important for retention. We do so here in an effort to clarify factors associated with retention. Retention is measured both in terms of program completion and days in treatment. The results indicate that only one predictor-frequent marijuana use prior to incarceration-is associated with completion status and days in treatment. Other factors, such as demographic variables, criminal history, psychological status, prior treatment, and legal pressure are significant predictors in some, but not all, models. Overall, more research on treatment retention is needed

Changing the Behavior of Substance Abusers: Factors Influencing the Effectiveness of Therapeutic Communities

In this paper we explicate the treatment process leading to the success of therapeutic communities (TCs) in rehabilitating clients through a case study of CREST, a combined TC and work release program for substance abusers with criminal histories. We develop a comprehensive framework for understanding how and why TCs provide effective treatment to substance-abusing clients. Using data derived from a process analysis of CREST, and substantiated by the literature on TCs, the model considers both structural and programmatic elements and individual level factors. Our framework is unique in that it attempts to show the dynamic processes ongoing among various elements in the setting to produce global changes in clients that are important for living drug free

Argot use in a therapeutic community

Argot, or the language of subcultures, is derived from the larger society but reflects those elements most relevant to the cultures of the subgroups, including values, roles, and issues integral to the group. Prison argot, for example, reflects inmate perceptions and adaptations to the institution and its programs, with considerable variation existing between custodial and treatment-oriented institutions. It is believed that argot may facilitate behavioral change in the latter type of institution. The present study analyzes the role argot plays in a therapeutic correctional milieu. In the facility studied, a therapeutic community work release center for men and women nearing release from prison, use of argot is a formal element of the treatment process. It reflects the therapeutic goals of the community and leads clients to attempt to change into recovering persons who can live outside of prison. The argot designates behavioral expectations while providing an alternative reality and identity for clients. Through a variety of program processes that are supported by the argot, thought patterns of clients begin to change, and they come to think and act in a manner consistent with the program's goals and with the norms of conventional society

Integrating the therapeutic community and work release for drug-involved offenders: The CREST program

As the nation's first therapeutic community (TC) and work release center for drug involved offenders, CREST combines the basic elements of both modalities into an effective agent for behavioral change. This article explores the ways in which these elements are integrated and applied, and the outcome of such treatment as determined by subsequent substance abuse and criminal activity. Clients entering the program from prison progress through several phases of counseling, group interaction, confrontation, and education before they enter the work release phase, where they gain realistic experience and can implement what they learned in the TC concerning living drug free. Follow-up data collected at 6 and 18 months after entry into the program indicate that CREST clients have significantly lower relapse and recidivism rates than a comparable comparison group. CREST has similar effects on relapse and recidivism across sexes, racial/ethnic groups, and different age categories, although length of time in treatment and whether clients graduated do impact outcome variables

Crime and criminals contemporary and classic readings in criminology

Includes bibliographical references and index