Process Evaluation of the Michigan and Department of Corrections' Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) Program

摘要

Despite significant funds available to support prison-based drug treatment, important questions remain about their implementation and effectiveness. As described in the literature, there is evidence that sound programs can impact both recidivism and substance use. However, the small number of studies to date, especially studies that employ rigorous experimental designs, prevent conclusive statements about the effectiveness, and sometimes even the content, of correctional substance abuse programming. Tunis et al. (1996) state, 'The field could benefit greatly from a thorough description of these programs, including coverage of who participates in them, who completes them, and who goes on to be rearrested and convicted within the following year.' This study was designed to answer the first part of this call for action. The overall goals of this research were to (1) conduct a process evaluation that examined the integrity of program evaluation, and (2) make specific recommendations with regard to program structure and eligibility criteria that could better prepare the program for an impact evaluation. Simultaneous to this project, the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) contracted with the University of Michigan (UM) to conduct an evaluation of the long-term impact of the RSAT program on offender substance abuse and recidivism.