Substance Abuse Treatment in California Prisons: Programs & Recidivism Reduction

The state of California, like most other states, places a high priority on reducing recidivism, or the number of prisoners who turn back to crime. California developed the Office of Substance Abuse Treatment Services (OSATS), which offers substance abuse treatment to both prisoners and parolees. The program goals include reduction of recidivism, participation in community aftercare treatment and implementing evidence-based practices.

Shorter Treatment

• California developed a shorter treatment inmate program designed to use less funding. This three- month program is in place at nine prisons and replaces the CDRC's former programs, which lasted six to 36 months. The CDCR estimates that 8,450 prisoners can complete substance abuse treatment per year under the new program. By waiting until the end of the prison term and by continuing in aftercare upon release, inmates will have a combination proven to reduce recidivism. Data from FY 2005-2006 shows that the recidivism rate for offenders who completed the prison program and after-care was just over one-third after two years as compared to just over one-half of all offenders.

Women's Programs

• In January, 2010, Central California Women's Facility (CCWF) launched a substance abuse program which specifically addresses the needs of women. Two other California women's facilities offer similar programs that help reduce relapse.

Mentor Program

• This innovative program certifies long-term prisoners as substance abuse counselors who then serve as mentors for other inmates. The prototype launched in 2009, and a women's program started in 2010.

Substance Abuse Programs

• Substance abuse programs, or SAPs, create long-term exposure to a wide variety of services during imprisonment and assist in community re-entry. In addition to substance abuse treatment, the programs provide life skills, health education and cognitive, social and behavioral counseling along with relapse prevention for both male and female inmates.