The effectiveness of community-based programs for chemically dependent offenders - A review and assessment of the research

An assessment of 15 community-based outpatient treatment programs for chemi cally dependent adult offenders was undertaken using the format of the Univ ersity of Maryland's 1997 report to the US Congress. The review finds less optimism about the effectiveness of this type of drug treatment than previo us reviews. The assessment of these studies indicated that programs that in crease the supervision, monitoring, or control over offenders in the commun ity are not effective in reducing recidivism. There is insufficient evidenc e to determine whether outpatient treatment alone, specific components of t he treatment (such as acupuncture), or aspects of the treatment (intensity) are effective in reducing criminal activity. Outpatient treatment designed as aftercare to prison-based therapeutic communities (TCs) is shown to be effective. However, it is unclear whether this is the effect of the TC, the length of treatment, or the combination of the TC and the aftercare. (C) 2 001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.