Evaluation of an innovative practice developed by the CIUSS-CN at a Quebec detention center: The Toxico-justice program
This study evaluates the effects of a substance addiction program offered in a prison setting. A quasi-experimental design with repeated measures (3) was used to measure changes that did (or did not) take place in substance use or in psychological/emotional and social spheres, as well as the services used by respondents. In total, 292 participants were recruited, 152 of whom constituted the experimental group (EG) and 140 the control group (CG). ANOVA results for the repeated measures show a decrease between T0 and T1 in EG respondents’ evaluation of the importance of receiving help for an alcohol or drug problem. More EG participants took advantage of services offered to deal with substance addiction at T2. EG participants experienced increases in psychological distress between T1 and T2. Commitment to life goals increased between T0 and T1 in EG respondents while a decrease in such goals was observed in the CG for the same period. Finally, participant satisfaction with the program was very high. These results suggest that the program did not fully respect the principles of the Risk-Need-Receptivity model that is at the core of any effective intervention with offenders. A committee was formed after the study ended to review the program’s objectives and its operation in an effort to optimize effects for participants.