Federal inmates who participated in the residential drug abuse treatment program (DAP) during their imprisonment were less likely to be re-arrested or to become involved in further drug use following their release, according to a new study conducted by Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) research staff. The study was comprised of 1,866 inmates at 20 institutions. Specifically, Federal inmates who were treated for their drug abuse were 73 percent less likely to be re-arrested in the first six months after release than untreated inmates. Similarly, among inmates who had drug urinalysis tests under post-release supervision, those inmates who received treatment were 44 percent less likely than those who had not received treatment to be detected for drug use within the first six months of their release.

This evaluation, which was conducted with funding from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, reveals that, of the offenders who completed the drug abuse treatment program and had been released to the community for a minimum of six months, only 3.3 percent were re-arrested and 20.5 percent were likely to use drugs again. These findings suggest that participation in drug abuse treatment while confined assists inmates during the initial resettlement period, and offers encouragement for the conclusion that this correctional program is making a difference in the lives of offenders and reducing the likelihood of future criminal conduct.

The residential drug treatment program is a unit-based program that affords inmates up to 500 hours of treatment, focusing on individual responsibility and changing future behavior. The goal of the program is to attempt to identify, confront, and alter the attitudes, values, and thinking patterns that led to criminal behavior and drug or alcohol use. Most program content is standardized, and includes sessions on Screening and Assessment, Treatment Orientation, Criminal Lifestyle Confrontation, Cognitive Skill Building, Relapse Prevention, Interpersonal Skill Building, and Wellness.

The FBOP operates a comprehensive residential drug abuse treatment program for the 30 percent of Federal inmates who have a history of moderate to severe substance abuse. The FBOP offers a continuum of care, consisting of residential and non-residential treatment, drug education, counseling services, and community corrections and post-release services. The FBOP is able to provide drug treatment to all inmates who need it and are willing to accept it.

The FBOP has operated drug treatment programs since 1966. Currently, the FBOP operates 42 residential treatment programs, with a combined annual capacity of over 6,000 participants. There are currently over 110,000 inmates in the Federal prison system.

The FBOP has received the full support of the Administration and Congress in providing the resources necessary to implement effective Drug Abuse Treatment programs.