Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability
Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability

Correctional Substance Abuse Programs, While Few, Are Reasonably Efficient and Effective

Report 04-69, October 2004

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Report Summary

  • Over half of inmates in Florida prisons need substance abuse treatment. The department provides three types of treatment programs; the cost and length of stay of the programs increase with the intensity of treatment. The lengths of stay are consistent with national models, and the costs appear reasonable. The programs, which are primarily grant funded, are in compliance with state and federal contract requirements. Due to differences in inmate treatment needs, there does not appear to be any benefit to merging the programs into one.
  • Approximately 75% of inmates who are assigned to a treatment program complete it. Program completers recidivate 3% less than those who need treatment but do not participate in a program. The gap between treatment need and availability is widening; in Fiscal Year 2003-04, the department served 4,715 inmates in its primary treatment programs and 14,350 inmates identified as needing treatment were released without it.

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Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
criminal justice, probation, substance abuse, substance abuse treatment, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, prison treatment programs, residential therapeutic community, outpatient treatment, work release center, inmate idleness, prison planning, prison construction, fleet maintenance, correctional officer training, inmate education, victims, inmate education, drug abuse, substance abuse, vocational education, rehabilitative programs, inmate transition, restitution, community corrections, absconders, juvenile justice, crime, corrections, diversion, high risk youth, The Florida Network, Outward Bound, PACE, Prevention, sexually violent predators, sex offenders, treatment, ryce act, martin, liberty, mentally ill, desoto, monitoring, evaluation, high risk youth, recidivism, grant monitoring, contract monitoring