CA Press Release
CORRECTIONAL ASSOCIATION REPORT ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT IN NEW YORK PRISONS HIGHLIGHTS SUBSTANTIAL DEFICIENCIES AND WASTE OF RESOURCES
REPORT PRESENTS CLEAR AND COMPREHENSIVE RECCOMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING TREATMENT PROGRAMS IN WAYS THAT ENHANCE BOTH PUBLIC HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY
| For Immediate Release | March 4, 2011 | |
Contact: |
Robert Gangi |
Jack Beck Cindy Eigler |
New York, New York: The Correctional Association of New York (CA), the State’s oldest criminal justice organization, has released the report Treatment Behind Bars: Substance Abuse Treatment in New York State Prisons, 2007-2010 (download, 2 MB), the first-ever comprehensive review of the State's prison-based substance abuse treatment programs. The report culminates a three-year study conducted by the CA's Prison Visiting Project, including visits to 23 prisons; interviews with experts, treatment staff and participants; and, the analysis of over 2,300 inmate surveys and system-wide data. Especially given the current focus on cost savings, public health and public safety, the report creates significant opportunities for New York policy makers in four important areas: improving the effectiveness of prison treatment programs; using existing evidence-based instruments and programming to reduce the current costs of providing treatment in New York’s prisons; making a difference in communities affected by high recidivist rates and drug use; and, promoting best practices that, in effect, provide national leadership for policy makers and prison officials committed to curbing drug abuse among currently and formerly incarcerated individuals.
Cindy Eigler, Associate Director of Special Projects for the CA's Prison Visiting Project and principal author of the report, said, “As the largest provider of substance abuse treatment in the State, New York's prison system has the ability to benefit tens of thousands of individuals in need of substance abuse treatment by providing the highest, most appropriate quality of care. Addressing the root causes that lead many people to prison and arming individuals with the tools they need to succeed back in their communities is a win-win proposition.”
Sixty of New York State’s 67 correctional facilities operate 119 substance abuse treatment programs, comprising approximately 10,000 treatment slots, and serving about 34,000 inmates annually. The report acknowledges that providing treatment to such a large number of individuals is no easy task, and commends the Department of Correctional Services (DOCS) for seeing such services as necessary and important. Jack Beck, Director of the Prison Visiting Project and coordinator of the study, emphasized, “The State does not need to spend more money to address many of the report’s identified problems. Policymakers can significantly improve prison treatment programs by reallocating resources, developing a more effective assessment process, drawing on proven existing instruments and programs and increasing collaborations with outside agencies.”
The CA's report includes major findings regarding the system's programs such as: (1) an overly broad and unclear screening process; (2) a one-size-fits-all approach to treatment programs; (3) substantial variability among treatment programs; (4) treatment staff with varying degrees of experience, training, skills and commitment; (5) limited clinical supervision and program oversight; and (6) insufficient discharge planning and reentry services.
Principal Findings
Overly broad and unclear screening process - The State uses broad and unclear standards for what constitutes a substance abuse treatment need. Also, the screening instruments used by the Department are set at a low threshold, identifying many individuals for substance abuse treatment who have minimal need for such services. As a result of such screening policies, the Department has determined that 83% of the prison population, regardless of severity of substance abuse problems, needs the State's intensive, residential substance abuse treatment programs.
One-size-fits-all treatment programs - The majority of New York's prison-based substance abuse treatment programs are six-month residential Alcohol and Substance Abuse Treatment (ASAT) programs. The severity of inmates' substance abuse problems varies greatly, and less intensive, outpatient treatment would more effectively serve many inmates.
Variability among treatment programs - The 23 treatment programs visited by the CA demonstrate little consistency with regard to treatment modality, curriculum, treatment delivery and program removal policies. The range of variability extends from impressive programs with treatment staff creating a genuine therapeutic environment to more punitive programs providing little support or up-to-date information to treatment participants.
Treatment staff with varying skills, experience and commitment - While some treatment staff have extensive substance abuse training and backgrounds, others possess considerably less relevant experience. Overall, a minority of treatment staff have higher-level degrees or are credentialed alcoholism and substance abuse counselors (CASAC). We observed treatment staff who were enthusiastic and engaged with program participants, and others who were indifferent and who spoke and treated participants in a disrespectful and, at times, threatening manner.
Limited clinical supervision and oversight - A notable absence of qualified staff were available to perform clinical supervision of treatment personnel. No clear process is in place to monitor staff performance or treatment records, and the yearly visit from DOCS Central Office representatives provides minimal oversight.
Insufficient discharge planning and reentry services - Treatment participants reported receiving little to no assistance from treatment staff regarding their aftercare plans. The majority of participants with whom we spoke had no appointments with community-based treatment agencies when released and were discharged without paperwork that could demonstrate to community treatment staff their participation in prison-based treatment.
Role for Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Treatment Services (OASAS)
The 2009 Rockefeller Drug Law reforms resulted in an increased role for OASAS, the agency responsible for overseeing the State’s addiction, prevention and treatment system, in monitoring and providing guidelines for New York's prison-based substance abuse treatment programs. “The opportunity that OASAS' new role provides to positively impact and improve treatment services for this generally overlooked population is considerable, and we are encouraged that DOCS, in collaboration with OASAS, appears to be actively addressing many of the findings identified in the report. It is clear that the Department is committed to improving substance abuse treatment in its prisons and the CA hopes to work closely with both DOCS and OASAS as this process continues," stated Cindy Eigler.
Recommendations
The CA’s report presents several key recommendations for State policymakers to consider, including:
• Implement a comprehensive system of screening and assessment to identify the severity of each inmate’s substance abuse and corresponding treatment needs.
• Develop a continuum of treatment options, from education to intensive residential treatment, and place each inmate in the program that best addresses his/her needs.
• Develop a more comprehensive curriculum for each program and implement an effective system of monitoring programs and staff.
• Improve the quality and skill levels of treatment staff.
• Enhance and coordinate discharge planning to connect inmates with appropriate community-based treatment and other support services upon release.
Robert Gangi, Executive Director of the CA, observed, “Albany’s leaders should hold prison treatment services up to the standards of community-based treatment programs, enabling the State to develop effective in-prison programs that would provide considerable benefits to many New York communities, and also serve as a national model. Implementing the recommendations detailed in the report would not only make the best use of limited resources during tough economic times, it is also the right thing to do, for inmates, for communities and for the State.”
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