Integrating the therapeutic community and work release for drug-involved offenders: The CREST program.

Group/Peer Support

May 2021

Full Citation

Nielsen, A. L., Scarpitti, F. R., & Inciardi, J. A. (1996). Integrating the therapeutic community and work release for drug-involved offenders: The CREST program. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 13(4), 349-358. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0740-5472%2896%2900112-2

Abstract

As the nation's 1st therapeutic community (TC) and work release center for drug involved offenders, CREST combines the basic elements of both modalities into an effective agent for behavioral change. This article explores the ways in which these elements are integrated and applied, and the outcome of such treatment as determined by subsequent substance abuse and criminal activity. A total sample of 689 CREST and comparison group Ss entered the study. By the 18-mo follow-up 145 CREST respondents and 162 comparison group respondents remained in the study. Clients entering the program from prison progress through several phases of counseling, group interaction, confrontation, and education before they enter the work release phase, where they gain realistic experience and can implement what they learned in the TC concerning living drug free. Follow-up data collected at 6 and 18 mo after entry into the program indicate that CREST clients have significantly lower relapse and recidivism rates than a comparable comparison group. CREST has similar effects on relapse and recidivism across sexes, racial/ethnic groups, and different age categories, although length of time in treatment and whether clients graduated do impact outcome variables. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved)