The first national survey to examine the type and quality of substance abuse treatment programming used by correctional agencies yields some stark findings and recommendations. This survey systematically looked at substance abuse treatment programming provided for adult and juvenile offenders in prisons, jails, probation and parole, and other local community correctional agencies. The primary finding was the most frequently used substance abuse treatment programs are "unlikely to facilitate behavior change." Among the other findings:

• Substance abuse treatment services are not readily available to all offenders 
• Fewer than 10% of adult offenders and approximately 20% of juvenile offenders receive the targeted treatment they require
• Staff numbers and training for delivery of treatment services are inadequate
• The length of treatment provided is less than recommended by research literature

For the brief on the survey conducted by the National Criminal Justice Drug Abuse Treatment Studies (CJ-DATS), click here.