Prerelease Skills Training for Drug Abusing Offenders

For prisoners with substance abuse histories, release marks the beginning of a difficult readjustmeof relapse to drug abuse and recidivism to crime. Obtaining and maintaining adequate employment areprevention of relapse and recidivism. Substance abusers, however, lack cognitive problem-solving skikeep work. We will develop a pre-release vocational skills training program for this population, basby the applicant principals demonstrating the important role played by problem-solving skills in adjNIDA-funded research demonstrating with heroin addicts the efficacy of highly structured, manual-dritraining interventions based on this research. During Phase I, manuals and companion materials focusand designed to meet the specific needs of prisoners with drug abuse histories will be developed. Nethrough expert opinions of successful parolees, probation/parole officers, and correctional employeefocus groups and a national survey. Protocols and physical arrangements for Phase II Research and Deevaluations will also be established. Potential markets for these skills-training and competency-buiinclude correctional institutions, probation/parole departments, and youth services department, both