EVALUATION OF THE MULTIPLE OFFENDER ALCOHOLISM PROJECT - QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION STRATEGY WITH A FOCUS ON INDIVIDUAL CHANGE AND QUALITY-OF-LIFE

The development, implementation, and evaluation of a treatment program for violent criminal offenders with alcohol abuse/alcoholism is descr ibed. The treatment program was based on a contingency management syst em that rewarded program attendance and participation. The evaluation of the program, using quasiexperimental techniques (including comparis ons with national samples and two independent local control samples), indicated that active program clients engaged in significantly fewer v iolent crimes and showed significantly improved life functioning (''qu ality of life'') in areas of employment and social adjustment during p articipation in the program. These beneficial changes were correlated with program participation and were also predictive of desired social outcomes, as defined by the criminal justice system, such as reduced a lcohol consumption and reduced violent crime. This presentation illust rates that the goals of mental health treatment programs and tradition al criminal justice system agencies (and their associated definitions of ''quality of life'') are not necessarily incompatible.