Screening and assessing substance-abusing offenders: Quantity and quality

The sheer number of offenders with substance abuse problems continues to be a major concern for the criminal justice system. Screening and assessment is the beginning of the substance abuse treatment process. Authors Robert A . Shearer and Chris R. Carter discuss the importance of proper screening an d assessment in creating effective treatment plans and in using scarce trea tment resources wisely. They address such issues as using interviews versus self-reports, screening instrument accuracy, screening offenders for psych opathy, and readiness screening.