I. Substance Abusing Offenders

Incentive Tools Continued:

The mission of recidivism reduction requires that failed or missed drug tests, along with other violations such as missed drug treatment appointments, be met with appropriate penalties. The same is true when offenders are staying clean and sober: they should receive swift, certain and increasingly meaningful rewards for their progress. Substance abuse and criminal justice staff must work together to ensure that offenders are at the appropriate level of treatment and the appropriate level of correctional control at all times.

When treatment and criminal justice actors work as a team and form a seamless system, recidivism reduction is maximized. Effective treatment develops internal controls and coping skills. Offenders in effective treatment also achieve insight into their behavior and adopt new behaviors in the process. Application of new internal coping skills, insights, and behaviors will affect offender interaction with the surrounding community, thus providing the possibility for the development of supportive family members and friends. Drug testing and sanctions and rewards reinforce the importance of offenders' health and safety.