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Kathryn E. McCollister, PhD, Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Miami, Highland Professional Building, Thrid Floor (D-93), 1801 NW 9 Avenue, Miami, FL 33136, 305-243-3479, kmccolli@med.miami.edu
This study extends previous research that performed a cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) of the Amity prison TC and Vista aftercare programs for criminal offenders in Southern California. The original CEA examined rates of reincarceration over a one-year post-release period. To better assess the impact of treatment over time for this unique population of criminal offenders, a 5-year follow-up CEA was performed to compare the cost of an offender’s treatment history – starting with the in-prison TC program and including any community-based treatment received post-parole – and the effectiveness of treatment in terms of reduced reincarceration. The sample for this CEA comprised 576 criminal offenders who participated in the 1-year and 5-year outcome evaluations. The two primary study groups include participants who had any amount of prison-based treatment during the baseline study (All Donovan, N=341) and participants who had no in-prison treatment (Control, N=235). Although the Control group received no in-prison treatment during the baseline study, some Control participants did receive treatment for addiction in the community (post-parole). The average cost of addiction treatment over the five year follow-up evaluation was $7,041 for the All Donovan group and $1,731 for the Control group. The additional investment of $5,311 in treatment yielded 81 fewer incarceration days (13% less) in All Donovan relative to Control. The cost-effectiveness ratio is $65, implying that by participating in Donovan, a day of incarceration was avoided at a cost of $65. When considering the average daily cost of incarceration in California ($72), these results suggest that introducing treatment in prison and directing offenders into treatment in the community is a cost-effective policy tool that should be implemented in cycling offenders through the criminal justice system. For many criminal offenders, entering the correctional system provides the first opportunity to understand addiction and to become aware of how to get help. Having an established program in correctional facilities will allow inmates to initiate the recovery process and provide them with a bridge to continuing treatment in the community. The criminal justice system has a unique opportunity and responsibility in providing in-prison treatment and continuing collaboration with community-based programs for post-release access to treatment and other services. This study provides valuable information for criminal justice policy in relating how an offender’s “treatment career” (i.e., the number of programs, types of programs, and total time spent in treatment) influences the success of rehabilitation/recovery with a focus on reduced reincarceration.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to
Keywords: Criminal Justice, Drug Abuse Treatment
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.