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Process and Outcome Evaluation of the STAR (Sisters Together Achieving Recovery) Program

NCJ Number
235673
Author(s)
Lanette Watson; Geneva Adkins; Michelle D. Cook; Paul Stageberg, Ph.D.
Date Published
2010
Length
77 pages
Annotation
This report from the Iowa Department of Human Rights, Division of Criminal and Juvenile Justice Planning, presents the results of an evaluation of the STAR (Sisters Together Achieving Recovery) program, a substance abuse treatment program used at the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women.
Abstract
Results from the evaluation found that: 1) a majority of the participants in the STAR (Sisters Together Achieving Recovery) program were White with a median age of 36 years old, had at least a high school education, were single, had children, and been diagnosed with a major, non-temporary mental illness.; 2) a majority had a record of previous incarceration or correctional supervision, with the majority of the convictions being for drug and alcohol offenses; 3) a majority of the participants (85 percent) completed the program while incarcerated; 4) participants who successfully completed the STAR program were less likely to need post-release substance abuse treatment and were less likely to recidivate. This report from the Iowa Department of Human Rights presents the results of an evaluation of the STAR program, a substance abuse treatment program used at the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women. Data for this evaluation were obtained from two groups of women who exited the program between October 1, 2004 to June 30, 2006, and July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2008, respectively, and a comparison group of women who were released from the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women during the same time frame but who did not receive substance abuse treatment. The results of the evaluation found that participants in the STAR program had lower recidivism rates, higher post-release wages, and fewer substance abuse treatment episodes post-release than the comparison group of women who did not receive substance abuse treatment while incarcerated. 22 tables, 13 figures, 12 references, and 2 appendixes