CJ-DATS PHASE I

A major obstacle to the effectiveness of post-prison treatment for substance-abusing offenders is low treatment engagement: the failure of parolees to show up for scheduled treatment and, if they do show up, their tendency to drop out early. This is particularly a problem where participation in treatment by parolees is voluntary, where incentives (pressures) to enter and remain in treatment are usually minimal.  The Transitional Case Management study seeks to test whether case management taking place during a prison inmate’s transition from prison to the community increases participation in community drug abuse treatment, enhances access to needed social services, and improves outcomes.  The specific aims are to: 

• Assess whether the TCM intervention increases the likelihood that parolees leaving prison treatment enter and successfully complete treatment, gain access to needed services, and reduce drug relapse and recidivism.
• Determine whether the TCM intervention increases the likelihood that treatment, criminal justice, and community services agency staff improve their patterns of communication and collaboration in dealing with substance-abusing parolees.
• Assess whether the TCM intervention is more cost effective than standard referral processes.