Question

What measures should community corrections take to best serve juveniles? Give specific examples. Could new measures also be cost effective?

Answer 1

Answer: substance abuse treatment for parolees and probationers differs from treatment for people in jail or prison. Although their freedom is curtailed, they have greater access to drugs and alcohol than the incarcerated population, and hence more opportunities to relapse. Moreover, securing basic needs such as food and shelter is often of paramount importance, especially for parolees attempting to reintegrate into society.

After describing the population under discussion in this chapter, the text takes up levels of supervision and treatment. Next, the discussion provides a broad look at the services needed by probationers and parolees and examines the treatment issues that are specific to offenders under community supervision. The chapter then suggests strategies that are helpful in improving collaboration between the substance abuse treatment and criminal justice systems. Finally, the chapter presents descriptions of sample programs.