Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) for State Prisoners Formula Grant Program

The Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) for State Prisoners Formula Grant Program was created by Title III of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994. It provides funding for the development of substance abuse treatment programs in state and local correctional facilities. The program encourages states to adopt comprehensive approaches to treatment for offenders, including relapse prevention and aftercare services. Prisoners in these facilities must be incarcerated for a period of time sufficient to permit substance abuse treatment.

Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) for State Prisoners Formula Grant Program Contact

Gail Pereira

(401) 764-5796

Email

Rhode Island Department of Corrections

The Rhode Island Department of Corrections (RIDOC), Division of Rehabilitative Services, receives RSAT funds for the continuing support of a residential substance abuse program for adult male inmates incarcerated at Medium Security. The program offers a three and six-month treatment phase followed by a six-month recovery phase that can accommodate up to 100 offenders at a time.

The goals of the program are to provide intensive substance use treatment and recovery case management services to include discharge planning for those offenders who will be prepared for re-integration into the community. All offenders referred to program are assessed for history of substance use and prior treatment/recovery experiences. Individual treatment plans are developed and implemented. Transitional planning begins immediately upon assignment to the unit, which includes a written plan to deal with offender transitional issues including plans for housing, finance, family reunification, and community substance abuse treatment/recovery services following discharge from prison. This discharge plan is developed with treatment staff as well as the Division of Probation and Parole.

Department of Children, Youth & Families

The Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF) receives RSAT funds for the continuing support of the residential substance abuse treatment unit at the Rhode Island Training School for Youth (RITSY).

DCYF’s jail-based program provides intensive treatment for residents identified as having severe substance abuse treatment needs, which cannot be adequately addressed with the less intensive education, and intervention programming. The program is based on a modified therapeutic community treatment model that utilizes a cognitive-behavioral approach with an emphasis on relapse prevention. The program’s ultimate goal is a reduction in the use/abuse of illicit substances and the often-associated criminal activity that may lead to re-arrest and a return to the correctional facility.

The RITSY RSAT program services include a comprehensive psychosocial assessment of each resident referred. Residents are provided substance abuse education, group, individual and family counseling. All services are designed to address the special developmental needs of adolescents. Program coordinates with community-based services to insure an appropriate level of treatment and/or support services following release from the Training School.