HMCC Residential Treatment Program

Abstract

The State of Alaska proposes to use the funding received from the RSAT Grant to continue to support and expand the Alaska Department of Correction’s (AKDOC) substance abuse treatment services, specifically the RSAT program located at the Hiland Mountain Correctional Center in Eagle River, Alaska.  Hiland Mountain is the AKDOC’s primary sentenced facility for female offenders and has become the primary remand location for the departments female offenders.  The target population is female felons who have an identified substance use disorder, medium or higher custody, and have enough time on their sentence to complete the program.  At any point the department has available treatment beds other high risk populations will be considered for treatment enrollment.   

AKDOC plans to utilize the funding associated with this grant to be able to provide programming/services that aid in:

Reducing the rate of recidivism for those female offenders who complete the RSAT program.
Increasing public safety by supporting offenders in their quest for prosocial lifestyles and aiding in connecting individuals to the level of service needed.
Providing access and education about Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) available for RSAT participants to include assistance in connecting to services upon release.
Breaking the cycle of multi-generational addition that is so prevent throughout the state of Alaska.

Alaska continues to rank among one of the highest states for individuals struggling with addiction related issues.  Unfortunately, many of the individuals struggling with addiction end up being involved with the criminal justice system.  In an effort to reduce the impact of drug and alcohol dependence has upon public safety and criminal recidivism a Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) program in conjunction with a Medication Assisted Treatment Re-Entry (MATR) program has been established at Hiland Mountain Correctional Center (HMCC).  This program utilizes a Modified Therapeutic Community modality and focuses on a cognitive behavioral approach to address offender’s criminal thoughts, behaviors, and lifestyles along with treating their addiction(s).  The length of the program is six to nine months with a built in mechanism which addresses aftercare needs in the community upon their release.  This program is a collaborative effort between the HMCC staff and the Salvation Army community based substance abuse treatment provider with the common goal of providing meaningful services to as many offenders as possible.