Breaking the Cycle: Technical Report

The second of three reports produced by the Vera Institute of Justice on Pennsylvania’s Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) program, this document describes outcomes from the three phases of the RSAT program by comparing program participants with a group of technical parole violators who returned to prison after violating parole. After asserting that there is often a direct relationship between criminal activity and substance abuse, the author describes the RSAT program, designed to combat drug abuse among inmates scheduled for parole. Comprising three phases, structured treatment sessions, community correction center monitoring, and release into the community, the RSAT program is designed to provide structure and support for inmates in order to reduce parole violations. Following descriptions of RSAT program participants, indicating that most participants are Black, unmarried, and in their thirties, the author presents the program outcomes. A comparison between RSAT program participants and technical parole violators indicates that the RSAT program does not threaten public safety and the high rate of return to custody of RSAT program participants indicates the likelihood of inmates completing the program, leading to increased levels of parolee rehabilitation. Tables, bibliography