Implementing Evidence-Based Practices in Community Corrections and Addiction Treatment

Community corrections programs are emerging as an effective alternative to incarceration for drug-involved offenders, to reduce recidivism and improve public health and public safety.  Since evidence-based practice is gaining recognition as a success factor in both community systems and substance abuse treatment, a merger of the two seems logical and desirable. But integrating evidence-based addiction treatment into community corrections is no small feat―costs, personnel decisions, and effective, appropriate interventions are all critical considerations.

Featuring the first model of implementation strategies linking these fields, Implementing Evidence-Based Practices in Community Corrections and Addiction Treatment sets out criteria for identifying practices and programs as evidence. The book’s detailed blueprint is based on extensive research into organizational factors (e.g., management buy-in) and external forces (e.g., funding, resources) with the most impact on the adoption of evidence-based practices, and implementation issues ranging from skill building to quality control. With this knowledge, organizations can set realistic, attainable goals and achieve treatment outcomes that reflect the evidence base.

Included in the coverage:

• Determining evidence for “what works.”
• Organization change and technology transfer: theory and literature review.
• The current state of addiction treatment and community corrections.
• Unique challenges of evidence-based addiction treatment under community supervision.
• Assessing suitability of evidence-based practice in real-world settings.
• A conceptual model for implementing evidence-based treatment in community corrections.

Implementing Evidence-Based Practices in Community Corrections and Addiction Treatment is a breakthrough volume for graduate- and postgraduate-level researchers in criminology, as well as policymakers and public health researchers.

Community corrections programs can be effective for advancing public safety and improving public health among drug-involved offenders, provided that research-based programs and practices are used. Since evidence-based practice is gaining recognition as a success factor in both community corrections and substance abuse treatment systems, a merger of the two seems logical and desirable. The creation of a seamless system of care is needed to address all desired outcomes. But integrating evidence-based addiction treatment and community corrections is no small feat―costs, personnel decisions, identification of effective and appropriate interventions and practices, interorganizational processes, and common goals and mission are critical considerations to advance implementation

Featuring the first model of implementation strategies linking these fields, Implementing Evidence-Based Practices in Community Corrections and Addiction Treatment sets out criteria for identifying evidence-based practices and programs and proposes new strategies to advance the uptake of these practices in real world settings. The book’s detailed blueprint is based on extensive theory and research into organizational factors (e.g., management buy-in, staff development, intervention features) and external forces (e.g., funding, resources, stakeholder commitment) with the most impact on the adoption and sustainability of evidence-based practices. Implementation issues range from skill building to quality control. With this knowledge, organizations can set realistic, attainable goals and achieve safety and treatment outcomes that reflect the evidence base. The goal is to provide evidence-based implementation frameworks and strategies to ensure that findings from research studies can be replicated in real world operational agencies.

Included in the coverage:

• Determining evidence for “what works” and the issues surrounding transportability.
• Organization change and technology transfer: theory and literature review.
• The current state of addiction treatment and community corrections.
• Unique challenges of evidence-based addiction treatment in community supervision settings.
• Assessing suitability of evidence-based practice in real-world settings.
• Two conceptual models: one to assess the transportability of evidence into operational settings and one to implement evidence-based treatment in community corrections.

Implementing Evidence-Based Practices in Community Corrections and Addiction Treatment is a breakthrough volume for graduate- and postgraduate-level researchers in public health and criminology, as well as policymakers, program managers, and researchers.