Evaluation of the effectiveness of the LOCUST Therapeutic Community

One out of every 100 Americans is incarcerated, many for drug-related offenses [1]. The resulting strain on correctional facilities nationwide has prompted recent research on the effectiveness of substance abuse treatment during incarceration. The LOCUST Therapeutic Community (TC) at the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail in Charlottesville, VA, is one such treatment program. The LOCUST TC aims to rehabilitate inmates by promoting lifestyle changes through behavioral-modification therapy. This paper reports on an evaluation of the effectiveness of the LOCUST TC, as a guide to the design and implementation of program modifications and new programs. We compared the success of a cohort of inmates who participated in the program for thirty days or longer (n=298) against a control cohort of qualified non-participants (n=111). Overall success was defined as the fraction of recidivists in each cohort for the study period. In addition, for the recidivists in TC (n=232) and control (n=96) cohorts, success was measured by days until recidivism. Using randomized block design, we determined the effect of 30 days or more in the LOCUST TC on both recidivism and days until recidivism and determined which cohorts of inmates benefit most from participating in the TC. Program participants recidivated less often and significantly later than non-participants. The TC was most effective for 21 to 25 year olds and 36 to 40 year olds, African Americans, males, those not involved with drug court, and those with no prior TC experience. The results suggest that increasing the LOCUST TC may ultimately lessen jail overcrowding and the net cost of incarceration.