Client Perceptions Of Prison-Based Therapeutic Community Drug Treatment Programs

This study is part of an ongoing effort to evaluate the growing number of prison-based substance abuse treatment programs from the perspective of the clients. The study tested whether 1,059 participants from 13 prison-based substance abuse treatment programs could be grouped according to elevated, moderate, or low perceptions of the treatment environment (i.e., their perception of the use of therapeutic community, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and 12-step treatment activities) and according to their perceptions of the program climate (i.e., a positive sense of community). It also tested whether those who observed higher levels of these treatment components had a higher evaluation of their treatment and of their rapport with counselors and, overall, higher levels of treatment satisfaction. Despite being coerced into treatment, the majority of participants were positive about their treatment experience.