Analysis Paper 2-Primary Problems in the Treatment Field Ed Potter The appropriate way to implement Evidence Based Practices (EBP) has become a primary treatment problem in the criminal justice population. Reducing recidivism and substance use by clients involved in the criminal justice system is the ultimate goal of implementing a treatment modality based on an EBP’s. At its core, EBP’s utilize the most credible and accurate methodology of treatment on the intended cohort (Prendergast, 2011). Despite research supporting an EBP of treatment, it is not without its detractors. A key problem with EBP’s are that they are a uniform methodology of treatment, or as Prendergast (2011) referred to it, a “cookie cutter approach” (p. 11). Rather …show more content…
However, the restricted environment of correctional facilities in itself proves challenging. Prendergast (2011) referred to the difficult nature of conducting or measuring EPB’s against random studies in correctional facilities. Due to restrictions, and “ethical” or “practical reasons,” as well as being limited to include treatment that involves medications, it is hard to fully measure the true effectiveness of EBP’s. Additional limitations arise when trying to implement EBP’s within a criminal justice setting. These limitations include a diverse population of clients, inadequate staff knowledge, limited funding, and disruption in treatment due to security issues (Prendergast, 2011). Steps are being taken to address these concerns by the criminal justice and treatment fields. The Criminal Justice Drug Abuse Treatment Studies (CJDATS) has orchestrated an agreement between the criminal justice and treatment fields to formulate a treatment modality of EBP’s that is conducive to the needs of individuals under correctional supervision in order to find the most effective method of treatment (Prendergast, 2011). Yet, until this plan goes into effect, problems will continue to arise. The restrictive nature of providing treatment, both inside and outside of institutions, will continue to make measuring the effectiveness of EBP’s on this cohort a cumbersome
Treatment for substance abuse vital to reduce prison recidivism rate, The Medical News, March 14, 2008,http://www.news-medical.net/news/2008/03/14/36306.aspx
In today’s society, many people commit crimes and illegal behavior is nothing new. Society knows that there are criminals and they have criminal intentions. The question today is not if people are going to commit crimes, it is finding the most effective method to help those criminals reenter society as productive citizens, and preventing new people from becoming criminals. Department of corrections around the nation have implemented a program that identifies the most effective method. The “what works” movement outlines four general principles that are implemented in the rehabilitation of criminals; and, these principles are risk principle, criminogenic need principle, treatment principle, and fidelity principle.
The complex issues of dealing with offenders in the criminal justice system has been a point of ongoing controversy, particularly in the arena of sentencing. In one camp there are those who believe offenders should be punished to the full extent of the law, while others advocate a more rehabilitative approach. The balancing act of max punishment for crimes committed, and rehabilitating the offender for reintegration into society has produced varying philosophies. With the emanation of drug-induced crimes over the past few decades, the concept of drug treatment courts has emerged. The premise of these courts is to offer a “treatment based alternative to prison,” which consist of intensive treatment services, random drug testing, incentives
As offenders are diverted to community residential treatment centers, work release programs and study release centers, the system sees a decrease or stabilization of the jail population. While the alleviation of overcrowding is a benefit it is not the only purpose of diversion. A large majority of crimes are committed while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Studies have shown that more than half of all individuals arrested in the United States will test positive for illegal substances (NCVC, 2008). Efforts to reduce crime through incarceration usually fail because incarceration does not address the main problem, the offender’s substance abuse.
EBP is defined by Sacket et al as 'the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients.' (Duncan, 2006) The best evidence in this context could therefore be argued to come from information that has been researched using quantitative methods that is numerical data that tests a hypothesis such as randomized control trials (RCT)(Duncan, 2006).
McGovern, M. P., PhD, & Carroll, K. M., PhD. (2003). Evidence- base Practices for Substance Use Disorders. Psychiatric Clinics of North America. Retrieved from http://www.dartmouth.edu/~dcare/pdfs/fp/McGovernMark-Evidence-BasedPractices.pdf
Prison contemplative programs are also of great help to both prison inmates and staff. These contemplative programs include yoga, meditation and prayers for contemplation. Through such programs, both prison staff and inmates benefit a lot especially when it comes to relieving stress. In most countries and especially America, majority of the prisoners are dealers of illicit drugs. It is logical that most drug addicts engage in criminal activities. Therefore, drug treatment programs in jails and prisons are a useful tool for rehabilitation and reformation of inmates into better people who can be productive once their jail term ends. However studies show that currently in America, only a small proportion of inmates requesting for drug treatment actually receive it (Listverse,
Howell, J. & Lipsey, M. (2012). Delinquency prevention: A broader view of evidence-based programs reveals more options for state juvenile justice systems. Criminology & Public Policy 11(3), 515-523
In recent years, there has been controversy over mass incarceration rates within the United States. In the past, the imprisonment of criminals was seen as the most efficient way to protect citizens. However, as time has gone on, crime rates have continued to increase exponentially. Because of this, many people have begun to propose alternatives that will effectively prevent criminals from merely repeating their illegal actions. Some contend that diversion programs, such as rehabilitation treatment for drug offenders, is a more practical solution than placing mentally unstable individuals into prison.
Henggeler, S. & Schoenwald, S. J. (2011). Evidence-based interventions for juvenile offenders and juvenile justice policies that support them. Social policy report, 25 (1), pp. 1--20.
To Health Service In Correctional Evironments: Inmates Health Care Measurement, Satisfaction and Access In Prisons.” Howard Journal of Criminal Justice 50.3. (2011): 262-274. Academic Search Complete. Web. 5 May 2014.
Substance abuse is a grim issue that affects the Canadian inmate population; it can be defined as overindulgence in or dependence on an addictive substance, especially alcohol or drugs. Within Canada, 80% of offenders entering the federal prison system are identified as having a substance abuse problem; this goes beyond mere indication of tougher drug legislation, it uncovers further discrepancy. Due to the immense majority of offenders affected by this complex mental illness, in addition to varied levels of individual cognitive ability. Consequently conventional abstinence-based treatment methods may not benefit all offenders. Untreated, this dynamic risk factor precursor’s future offending, as a study reveals dependency on illegal drugs is the single most serious risk for repeated offending. It has been established substance control is a far more feasible short term goal than outright eradication. With this ideology, the premise of one’s analysis will be on substance abuse control methodologies, gauging effectiveness and overall success in achieving its purpose.
Criminal Justice officials understand the situation in their prisons regarding mental health but have not taken action to fix it. For example, “According to the Department of Justice, abo...
Drug violators are a major cause of extreme overcrowding in US prisons. In 1992, 59,000 inmates were added to make a record setting 833,600 inmates nationwide (Rosenthal 1996). A high percentage of these prisoners were serving time because of drug related incid...
Many people idealized the relevancy of living in a civilized world, where those who break the law are reprimanded in a less traditional sense of punishment in today’s standard. Instead of just doing hard time, programs and services could and should be provided to reform and rehabilitate prisoner. Despite standard beliefs, many individuals in prison are not harden criminals and violent offenders, many of these people suffer mental illness and substance abuse Hoke