Substance Abuse

Treatment Program For Offenders Re-integrating into Society

From Prison/Jail

(The Half Way House Client)

Designed By: Victoria Hargan

BA Psychology

Substance Abuse and the Criminal Justice System

2008

Three Top Elements to succeed

1. The group worker will work with structural

constraints, policies, and laws.

2. Random drug screens performed 3 times

weekly

3. Electronic Tethers

Assessment and Evaluation

Clients will be assessed and/or evaluated before they

leave the facility (Prison/jail) by a psychiatrist.

This intervention will determine whether clients who

have been monitored during their prison stay will need

additional treatment or interventions before integration

in society.

In addition, this intervention will serve as a guide for

half-way house staff in implementing an individualized

treatment plan designed specifically for each

individuals needs.

Therapy and Medication

Individual psychotherapy

will be implemented for all

Clients, including those with

Dual Diagnosis (Mental

Illness and SUD’s-

(Substance Use Disorder).

This intervention will serve

as a way to monitor

individual progress and to

address the client needs and

feelings, and symptoms they

may be experiencing.

A medication regimen will be

implemented (if warranted) upon

initial assessment and/or during

follow up evaluations with the

psychiatrist at the prison; or

during monthly evals with the Dr.

If client behavior reveals a need

for an earlier eval before the

monthly visit with the Dr. staff

will notify the facility physician.

Group Therapy (Meetings) Meet 3 times weekly.

Helps the client by identifying with others going through similar

problems.

Group can help the individual understand their own attitudes

toward addiction and their defenses against giving up alcohol and

drugs by confronting similar attitudes and defenses in others.

Encourages client to learn to communicate needs and feelings more

directly.

A disadvantage to group would be that not everyone likes to share

personal information with others.

Therapeutic Factors in Group Therapy Instillation of hope

Universality

Imparting information

Altruism

Corrective recapitulation of the primary family group

Development of socialization techniques

Imitative behavior

Interpersonal learning

Group cohesiveness

Catharsis

Existential factors (Springer, 2003)

Random Drug Screens (3 times weekly)

Random Drug Screens 3 times weekly

Alcohol breath testing daily, upon return to the half-way house, or at the discretion of the staff. This will help in monitoring progress, and relapse.

If a client violates the drug/alcohol policy it will be reported to the parole or probation officer.

A disadvantage More work for the staff-documentation and performing tests. The expense of screening may not fit into budget.

Electronic Tethers and Work It is encouraged for clients to obtain employment. Tethers help

monitor the client when the client has to leave the half-way home to go to work.

This intervention will allow the client some independence, structure, and can boost self-esteem by offering independence and a quality of life.

The client can save money from job for expenses needd upon leaving the half house and re-integrate back into society.

Electronic tethers will be placed on the individual before they leave the prison.

A disadvantage is the expense of the tethers, putting additional financial burden on the client.

Additional Treatments for Success

Scheduled family/friends visiting time. At the beginning of the family time, the therapist, client, and family will help identify problems within the family system. The entire family time will not be spent on therapy, however it will be incorporated within the family time.

Must be in by 7pm, and no telephone communication outside the house after 9pm. This will help reduce clients from trying to obtain drugs from outside the house at late hours. House staff will monitor activities. Lock down will occur by 8pm. Permission to return after the said hours must be approved for work, educational or medical reasons only.

References: Springer, D. W., McNeece, C. A., & Arnold, E. M.

(2003). Substance abuse treatment for criminal

offenders: An evidence-based guide for practitioners.

Washington, DC: American Psychological

Association.

Higgins, S., Silverman, K. (2007) Contingency Management in

Substance Abuse Treatment