What is Residential Substance Abuse Treatment?

Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) programs operate within state and local corrections and detention facilities and provide a therapeutic environment for prisoners in need of substance abuse treatment. The RSAT initiative encourages the development of the residential treatment model first used in prison-based therapeutic communities (TCs) and incorporates a community-based aftercare component. The terms RSAT and TCs are often used interchangeably in the offender-based substance abuse treatment literature. In-prison substance abuse programs often try to separate RSAT participants from the general offender population and attempt to transition RSAT graduates to the community rather than return them to the general prison population. Many programs provide other services to address the needs of clients, such as family therapy; employment training; and social, health, and legal services.

Since 1994, the Bureau of Justice Assistance Residential Substance Abuse Treatment program has been implemented across the country in an effort to address the large number of inmates with substance abuse problems. RSAT programs receiving federal funds are required to:

Provide programming which lasts between 6 and 12 months with a treatment requirement of at least 6 months and no more than 12 months.
Administer the programs in facilities detached from the general offender population.
Focus on the substance abuse treatment needs of the offender and be tailored to address the inmates', cognitive, behavioral, social, vocational, and other skills to address the substance abuse and related problems.
Target offenders with between 6 and 12 months remaining on their sentence so they can be released back to the community rather than be returned to the general offender population.

BJA Resources Related to RSAT

Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners Program
State-by-State RSAT Formula Grant Programs

Other Resources for RSAT

Therapeutic Communities of America
The Treatment Directory (Adult and Adolescent Rehabs)

State and Local RSAT Resources

Florida Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for Prisoners
National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD)
National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD)

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