Non-Secure Drug Treatment Programs: Sept. 1, 1991-June 30, 1999

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Non-Secure Drug Treatment Program was implemented on September 1, 1991. Between that date and June 30, 1999, 18,948 offenders were released from the non-secure drug treatment programs. About half, 10,105 (53.3%), had successfully completed a program, 7,466 (39.4%) had failed to complete the program, and 1,377 (7.2%) were terminated for medical or administrative reasons. Rates of program completion vary from a low of 40.5% to a high of 70.5% among the 26 facilities.

Across all facilities, 4,501 (23.7%) of offenders had been recommitted to state prison by June 30, 1999. Some 4,252 (22.4%) had been returned to some form of community supervision, while 10,200 (57.7%) had no recommitment. Recommitment rates increase as the time since program termination increases. Prison recommitment rates increase from 8.3% for offenders in their first year to 27.9% after 2 or more years.

Among offenders who successfully complete programs, 63.3% have no recommitment, and 83% have no recommitment to state prison. Over 92.2% of successful program completers are not recommitted to prison or supervision during their first year after completion. That figure drops to 53.7% after 2 or more years. But only 20.8%, even after 2 years, are recommitted to prison.

Successful program completion generally increases with age. Among those age 19 and under, only 36.1% successfully completed programs, while 58.4% of those age 35-39 and 68.8of those age 50-54 did so. Recommitments also vary by age. Among those 19 and under, 29.3% have been recommitted to state prison, compared to only 21.9% of those age 35-39 and 13.8% of those age 50-54.

The facilities have served a total of 15,672 males and 4,490 females, 11,224 white offenders, 8,756 black offenders, and 180 other ethnic categories. A total of 20,162 offenders have been served by these facilities.

The average time to successful program completion is 182 days, and the average time to program failure is 79 days.