Jail-Based Substance Abuse Treatment

Jail-Based Substance Abuse Treatment Project

Jail-Based Treatment Works: People Recover from Addiction

"I learned a lot about myself. I realized I'm an addict and this program has been a changing point in my life. I couldn't have done it on my own. This program helped me change my behaviors and resolve the issues that led to my drug use. They didn't just help me solve my drug problem; they helped me solve my criminal thinking."

The Jail-Based Substance Abuse Treatment Project (J-BT Project) focuses on simultaneously reducing offender substance abuse and criminal behavior. Participating offenders take part in a curriculum-based therapy model called A New Direction: A Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment Curriculum. Cognitive-behavioral treatment has been proven effective with offender populations. The Project uses additional proven therapeutic strategies, including motivational interviewing, orientation to the 12-Step Community, relapse prevention, empowerment-based practices, brief strategic therapy, group therapy, and family counseling.

Longer term treatment strategies coupled with intensive supervision increase the likelihood of successful outcomes with offender populations. The J-BT Project is designed to keep offenders in effective treatment for as long as is necessary to lower relapse and recidivism.

J-BT Project Goals

• To increase each offender's knowledge of substance abuse and reduce anti-social thinking, criminal behavior, and the negative effects of substance abuse.
• Maintain a 90% utilization rate within each Project program.
• Achieve a successful completion rate of 50% for the in-jail component of treatment.
• Retain 90% of offenders in treatment for at least 30 days after release from jail.
• Achieve 55% employment for out-of-jail offenders.

Abstinence, Arrests, and Employment

The Iowa Consortium for Substance Abuse Research and Evaluation conducts the independent evaluation of the J-BT Project.

• Treatment is effective in stopping substance use. The Consortium's 2010 final report found that of those who were interviewed six months after admission, 86.2% of clients were abstinent.
• Treatment helps those in recovery from returning to jail. The 2010 study found that in the six months after admission, 91.7% of clients had not been arrested.
• Treatment helps people get back to work. The 2010 report found that six months after admission to treatment 60.0% of clients were working full or part time or a student.

Links to Current Consortium Jail-Based Treatment Reports and Important Information

• Jail-Based Treatment CY2010 Final Consortium Progress Report  
• Jail-Based Cost Analysis Study  
• Jail-Based Substance Abuse Treatment Program and Outcomes Monitoring System Client Comparison Study  
• Investing in Jail Based Treatment 2008  
• For previous years' final reports and other selected documents, please go to the Consortium's website at http://iconsortium.subst-abuse.uiowa.edu/ and select the Projects link on the left menu; then Jail-Based Treatment.

Program Contact Information:

Lonnie Cleland
Program Planner
515-281-3763