Florida Department of Corrections
Michael D. Crews, Secretary

Goal 2-3: To contribute to recidivism reduction by providing institutional and community based drug treatment programs and other services that aid offenders in the avoidance of substance abuse and their successful reintegration into the community.

Key indicators in assessing progress toward Goal 2-3:

(Baselines indicated in parentheses)

1. Percent of released inmates who completed Tier II through V drug treatment programs who are recommitted for a new offense within two years of release. (93/94: 15.4%)
2. Percent of supervised offenders having successfully completed drug abuse treatment (outpatient and residential) who are not committed to prison or recommitted to supervision for drug offenses within 24 months of completing the drug abuse treatment. (93/94: 96.1%)
3. Percent of offenders placed on supervision who violate a condition of supervision and who are reported by the department to the sentencing authority prior to the normally scheduled termination date. (Baseline under development)

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Correctional Drug Treatment Programs

Several studies indicate positive outcomes for inmates who participate in Substance Abuse Treatment and Education Programs during their incarceration. Positive outcomes may include improved inmate adjustment during incarceration, often resulting in fewer rule infractions by participants which, in turn, provides a cost savings to the department. Upon release, offenders who have successfully participated in treatment programs show measurable decreases in recommitment, and increases in employment.⁹ This same research further indicates a direct relationship between positive (release) outcomes and the amount of time the offender has devoted to treatment programming; specifically demonstrating tendencies toward post-release success for offenders who have a longer continuum of treatment exposure.¹⁰

The department is mandated to assess and place inmates in substance abuse programs. Program participation is fully voluntary, however department operating policies encourage full program enrollment. This is accomplished in part by policies which can limit the earning of Gain Time and access to Work Release for inmates who refuse treatment participation after an appropriate needs assessment has been completed.

The department reports to the public on outcome measures applicable to drug treatment programs. Hopefully, informing the public will lead to awareness, understanding, and support for quality programs which employ effective methods of treatment. This, in turn, may lead to the development of current and future public policy that will allocate adequate resources necessary to reduce drug related crime. Society will benefit from receiving a released inmate back into the community who is more mature and able to be self-sufficient.

Objective 2-3.1:

By 2003, the rate of released inmates who successfully completed an institutional drug treatment program who are not committed to prison or community supervision within 24 months will increase to 90% from the baseline rate of 84.5% in FY 96-97.

Strategy:

Provide substance abuse education and treatment for inmates who have misused drugs or alcohol. Lead Org. Unit: Education and Job Training.

Intermediate Sanctions, Services, Intervention and Treatment Programs

Total Number of Offenders Treatment All Modalities

Chart 2-4. Click for larger view.

Programs for community supervised populations require a different approach than those for inmates because the department cannot mandate that they attend programs except by court order. Outcome evaluations will be conducted with the same rigor as for inmate programs. Chart 2-4 illustrates the steady increase in the number of offenders receiving community based program services in all program modalities. Chart 2-5 compares overall recommitment rates for all successful completions for residential programs.

In addition to substance abuse programs, Community Corrections offers a myriad of community-based programming, designed to reduce recidivism and technical violations, that reaches out to the varied needs of the supervised population. (Technical violations of community supervision are those violations not involving an arrest on new charges and often this type of violation is tied to poor life management skills, including lack of education, and employment skills.)

Overall Recommitment Rate for Successful Completions Sept. 91 - June 97

Chart 2-5. Click for larger view.

Psychological services, which encompass special needs groups such as the mentally impaired, female offenders and sex offenders, is an integral part of what is available. In addition, there exists a wide range of educational, employment and job skills and life management classes to those offenders identified as needing such support. Furthering the department's involvement in public safety and offender accountability, the Florida legislature established, in 1995, the Office of Certification and Monitoring of Batterers' Intervention Programs within the Department of Corrections. This office, housed under the Assistant Secretary for Community Corrections, began certifying and monitoring batterers' intervention programs throughout the state effective July 1, 1996. The main focus of these programs, which must be based on the power and control model of intervention, is the batterers' acceptance of sole responsibility for the abusive behavior and the safety of the victim.

Objective 2-3.2

By June 30, 1999, the rate of offenders successfully completing community substance abuse programs who are not committed to prison or recommitted to supervision for drug offenses within 24 months will increase to 88% from the 12/31/96 baseline rate of 84%.

Strategies:

1. Expand the array of intermediate sanctions in each judicial circuit to provide court alternate, sentencing options and rehabilitative programs for drug offenders. Lead Org. Unit: Community Corrections
2. Enhance substance abuse day treatment programs for offenders to afford them opportunities to become drug and alcohol free. Lead Org. Unit: Community Corrections
3. Provide enhanced transitional substance abuse aftercare programs for inmates released to community supervision. Lead Org. Unit: Community Corrections