Developing Employment Services for Criminal Justice Clients Enrolled in Drug User Treatment Programs

Abstract

Approximately 80% of parolees have a history of substance abuse and nearly all are unemployed following release from prison. Common stipulations of parole require offenders to obtain employment and to not use mood-altering substances. This article explores a series of strategies implemented from 1999 to 2001 to help offenders paroled to substance user treatment to gain employment. A total of 245 paroled offenders enrolled in an outpatient substance abuse treatment program voluntarily agreed to participate in one of four different vocational intervention programs (Job Skill Development and Supported Work, Life Skill Development, Job Training, and Welfare to Work). Programmatic data (e.g., attendance, completion, job acquisition, and wage) were collected and reported for each of the vocational programs. Additionally, a 12-month pilot study examined criminal justice, substance use, and employment outcomes of 36 offenders referred to the job skill development and supported work project. Overall, 78% of the offenders enrolled in the vocational services completed the program and 134/245 (55%) were able to obtain employment. The data showed that completion of vocational services was strongly associated with obtaining employment 12 months postenrollment. Offenders identified the employment services as an integral part of their improved overall functioning. A series of practice recommendations and policy suggestions is offered to develop and manage vocational services for substance-using offenders. Employment services for parolees require considerable coordination of activities with parole officers, vocational programs, substance abuse treatment professionals, and funding systems.

• Vocational services
• Substance use
• Parole
• Employment
• Case manager

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kathleen Kemp

Kathleen Kemp, M.A., is a research associate in the Department of Psychiatry at the Yale University School of Medicine. Ms. Kemp's research interests focus on criminal justice systems and substance abuse. She was formally the project coordinator of the HOW and FIR programs in Philadelphia.

Barry Savitz

Mr. Barry Savitz is an assistant health commissioner for the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health. Mr. Savitz has coauthored numerous grants to expand substance abuse services for offenders.

William Thompson

Mr. William H. Thompson is the Deputy Director for the Coordinating Office for Drug and Alcohol Abuse Programs for the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health. Mr. Thompson serves as a senior administrator and oversees the quality, integrity, and management of drug and alcohol contracted services for Philadelphia.

David A. Zanis

Dave Zanis, Ph.D., is a research associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Maryland and an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania. His research interests focus on substance abuse treatment outcomes and the integrity of service delivery within criminal justice populations.