Therapeutic Community

Evidence Step: Evidence

Department: Correction

Program Description

Therapeutic Community is an intensive residential level of treatment that addresses the criminogenic and addiction needs of the inmate. This is a 9–12-month program that provides treatment for individuals with moderate to severe substance use disorders. The following curriculum has evidenced based components integrated within the therapeutic community program: Motivational Interviewing/ Stages of Change; TCU Mapping-Enhanced Counseling; Seeking Safety; CBIP; Victim Impact; Motivational Enhancement Therapy; Anger Management (SAMHSA); and Partners in Parenting.

Details

Program Demographic: Adults, Justice-involved

Delivery Setting: Correctional Facility

Current Participants: 1,640

Research

2022 update had evaluation for impact rating

Correctional Therapeutic Community for Substance Abusers

Outcomes

Decrease in positive random and exit drug screens

2025: 5%

2024: 3%

2023: 9%

Rate of successful program completion

2025: 53%

2024: 60%

2023: 60%

Rate of successful program completions released back into the community

2025: 36%

2024: 46%

2023: 46%

Outputs

Number enrolled in treatment

2025: 1,640

2024: 1,524

2023: 1,035

Number of successful completions

2025: 815

2024: 908

2023: 908

Percentage of positive initial screens

2025: 13%

2024: 12%

2023: 12%

Logic Model

If we provide intensive residential level treatments for individuals identified with moderate to severe substance abuse disorders with an evidence-based curriculum, then we will reduce the positive drug screenings for individuals exiting the program compared to the initial drug screen for the program, which will improve the treatment retention and lower positive drug screenings for inmates.