AN OUTCOME EVALUATION OF PRISON-BASED TREATMENT PROGRAMMING FOR SUBSTANCE USERS

Abstract

This paper briefly documents the results of a broad-based implementation of substance user treatment programs within the Federal correctional system in Canada.

• Offender treatment

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Frank J. Porporino

Frank J. Porporino, Ph.D., is a Clinical Psychologist and Criminal Justice Consultant. He was formerly Director General of Research for the Correctional Service of Canada and is a Senior Partner, T3 Associates, Ottawa, Canada. He has provided training and/or consulting services in 15 countries, has served two terms as chairperson of the ACA Research Council and as a member of the ACA Program Council, and is past president of the American Association of Correctional Psychology. Frank currently also serves on an International Program Accreditation Panel established by the English Prison and Probation Service. In 1998 he was awarded the American Correctional Associaton Lejins Award for his career contributions to research in the field of corrections. He has authored over 100 monographs and journal articles on the assessment and treatment of offenders, has developed a number of well respected cognitive-behavioral programs for offenders, and has also co-authored the book Coping, Behavior, and Adaptation in Prison Inmates (with E. Zamble, Springer-Verlag, 1988).

David Robinson

David Robinson has a Ph.D. in Psychology from Carleton University, where he also holds an adjunct faculty position in the graduate program. He was a research manager in the Research and Statistics Branch of Correctional Service Canada (CSC) for over 8 years. During his tenure in the Branch he managed a number of research projects including program evaluations, surveys, and the development of assessment instruments. He was very active as a researcher and advisor in the development of a substance abuse strategy for federal corrections. He has conducted a number of evaluations of substance abuse programs and surveys of substance abuse treatment providers. Dr. Robinson currently specializes in correctional program evaluation and assessment with Orbis Partners, Inc. in Ottawa, Canada. His work includes research in both juvenile justice and adult corrections. [email protected]

Bart Millson

William (Bart) Millson holds an M.A. in Experimental Psychology from Carleton University. He was a senior research officer in the Research and Statistics Branch of Correctional Services Canada for more than five years. During his work with CSC, Mr. Millson was involved in a number of assessment and program evaluation initiatives, particularly in the field of substance abuse. He conducted reviews of a computerized substance assessment tool, surveyed substance abuse treatment providers, and was involved in conducting program reviews and evaluations of CSC's national substance abuse programs in community and institutional settings. Mr. Millson has particular expertise in the measurement and analysis of recidivism data in correctional settings. He currently managers a number of evaluation and assessment projects as a member of Orbis Partners, Inc, in Ottawa, Canada. [email protected]

John R. Weekes

Dr. John Weekes is Manager of Program Policy and Information Management for the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) and he is an Adjunct Research Professor of Forensic Addictions in the Psychology Department at Carleton University located in Ottawa, Ontario. He is formerly CSC's Manager of Substance Abuse Programs and Coordinator of CSC's National Drug Strategy.John has served as a consultant on forensic substance abuse, harm reduction, and drug strategy issues for a number of international correctional jurisdictions. He has served as a member of American Correctional Association's “Best Practices” Coordinating Council and as a member and Chair of ACA's Substance Abuse Committee. His research interests include the assessment and treatment of substance abuse in criminal justice settings, models for the provision of substance abuse treatment services to forensic clinical populations, cognitive-behavioral interventions with offenders, harm reduction initiatives, offender motivation and readiness for treatment, and forensic psychology and assessment. John holds a Ph.D in psychology from Ohio University, Athens, Ohio.