What Have We Learned From Evaluations of RSAT Programs?

RSAT program evaluations demonstrate that RSAT programs are able to significantly decrease offender substance abuse relapse and recidivism when implemented as planned. In general, evaluations of RSAT programs show that in order to increase the benefits of treatment, limit relapse, and reduce recidivism, programs must work to address non-substance abuse-related needs of offenders. Therefore, RSAT programs often provide various other services to address the mental health, behavioral, social, and family-related needs of offenders. Follow-up studies (ranging from 6 months to 5 years) have shown that offenders who graduated from RSAT continued to have lower relapse and recidivism rates when compared to substance abusing offenders who did not participate in RSAT. Studies have also shown that RSAT recipients receiving aftercare services have greater reductions in recidivism and relapse than RSAT recipients not receiving aftercare. Finally, longer treatment is associated with more positive outcomes.

Some assessments of programs that enroll male and female offenders have shown that males benefit more from RSAT than females. However, evaluations of female-only RSAT programs have shown that females can benefit from RSAT when the programs are tailored to meet their specific needs.

Evaluations of RSAT programs have shown several factors to be important. RSAT programs:

Must focus on referring inmates whose sentence lengths allow for the necessary time to complete the program.
Must be equipped to provide counseling (family, individual and/or group) and other behavioral therapies shown to be critical components of effective treatment for addiction.
Should employ staff with the necessary skills needed to address the various needs of the offender.
With a sufficient number of staff to manage the programs will ensure that all inmates in need of treatment services receive them.
Must identify and address any conflicting priorities between treatment staff charged with providing a therapeutic environment for the participants and corrections staff charged with insuring the enforcement of rules and regulations of the prison and the secure management of the offenders.
Must ensure that graduating offenders are transitioned to the community for further treatment instead of being returned to the general prisoner population.
That provide long-term aftercare services will improve program impact.

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