Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment
Volume 32, Issue 3 , Pages 267-277, April 2007

Evidence-based treatment practices for drug-involved adults in the criminal justice system

  • Peter D. Friedmann, M.D., M.P.H.

      Affiliations

    • Program to Integrate Psychosocial and Health Services, Research Service, Providence Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Providence, RI, USA
    • Division of General Internal Medicine, Departments of Medicine and Community Health, Brown Medical School and Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, USA
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Department of Medicine, Brown Medical School, Providence Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 830 Chalkstone Avenue, T-32 Providence, RI 02908, USA. Tel.: +1 401 444 3347; fax: +1 401 444 5040.
    • ,
  • Faye S. Taxman, Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Wilder School of Government & Public Affairs, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
    • ,
  • Craig E. Henderson, Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Psychology, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX, USA

Received 25 September 2006; received in revised form 16 December 2006; accepted 25 December 2006. published online 12 March 2007.

Abstract 

Objective

The aim of this study was to estimate the extent and organizational correlates of evidence-based practices (EBPs) in correctional facilities and community-based substance abuse treatment programs that manage drug-involved adult offenders.

Methods

Correctional administrators and treatment program directors affiliated with a national sample of 384 criminal justice and community-based programs providing substance abuse treatment to adult offenders in the United States were surveyed in 2004. Correctional administrators reported the availability of up to 13 specified EBPs, and treatment directors up to 15. The sum total of EBPs indicates their extent. Linear models regress the extent of EBPs on variables measuring structure and leadership, culture and climate, administrator attitudes, and network connectedness of the organization.

Results

Most programs offer fewer than 60% of the specified EBPs to drug-involved offenders. In multiple regression models, offender treatment programs that provided more EBPs were community based, accredited, and network connected, with a performance-oriented, nonpunitive culture, more training resources, and leadership with a background in human services, a high regard for the value of substance abuse treatment, and an understanding of EBPs.

Conclusions

The use of EBPs among facility- and community-based programs that serve drug-involved adult offenders has room for improvement. Initiatives to disseminate EBPs might target these institutional and environmental domains, but further research is needed to determine whether such organization interventions can promote the uptake of EBPs.

Keywords: Offenders, Evidence-based medicine, Evidence-based corrections, Substance-related disorders, Substance abuse treatment centers

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PII: S0740-5472(07)00018-9

doi:10.1016/j.jsat.2006.12.020

Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment
Volume 32, Issue 3 , Pages 267-277, April 2007

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