Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners Program (RSAT)

The Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Formula Grant Program (RSAT) assists states and local governments in developing and implementing substance abuse treatment programs in state and local correctional and detention facilities. The RSAT Program also assists states and local governments in creating and maintaining community-based aftercare services for offenders who are released from institutionally based substance abuse programs. Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Formula Grant funds may be used to implement three types of programs. At least 10 percent of the total state allocation for FY 2007 shall be made available to local correctional and detention facilities (provided such facilities exist) for either residential substance abuse treatment programs or jail-based substance abuse treatment programs as defined below.

The State of Louisiana's FY 2007 RSAT program will be a continuation of the adult programs previously funded with RSAT, along with planning and funding for targeted priority areas and a new approach to the juvenile programs. Grant funds will be used to address the substance abuse treatment needs for inmates housed at the Hunt Correctional Center (EHCC), the Forcht-Wade Correctional Facility (FWCC), and the implementation of new treatment programs at two or three secure care group homes in the two regions of the state. The goals of the FY 2007 RSAT program are to: 1) Enhance and maintain the on-going planning process, to coordinate the polices developed under the present RSAT program for the treatment of substance abuse problems in correctional populations, and the continued coordination of the current RSAT programs (Hunt, Forcht-Wade, one juvenile group home) for providing substance abuse treatment for the State's correctional populations; 2) Enhance and maintain the RSAT program for persons committed to a state correctional institution with coordinated aftercare (supervision and treatment) until completion of the full term of the inmate's sentence; 3) Implement and maintain the RSAT program for juveniles committed to the jurisdictional custody of the state, but housed in a local correctional facility or group home, with coordinated aftercare (supervision and treatment) until completion of the full term of the sentence.

The IMPACT (Intensive Motivational Program of Alternative Correctional Treatment) Programs at the Hunt and Forcht-Wade Correctional Centers are prison-based substance abuse treatment programs where eligible non-violent offenders participate in a rigorous multifaceted program emphasizing discipline, education and substance abuse counseling, within a military model. IMPACT provides counseling and programming directed at the development of the participants' social, behavioral, cognitive and vocational skills necessary for him to resolve substance abuse and related problems and to avoid future criminal conduct. Inmates participate in the incarceration phase for a minimum of 6 months. Once the incarceration phase is complete, the inmates are recommended for parole to one of three options: an approved residence plan, a residential substance abuse treatment facility or a work release center. All trainees enter into an intensive parole phase lasting a minimum of six months and then continue on to regular parole supervision under the Louisiana Probation and Parole until their full term date expires. The RSAT program for juveniles emphasizes removing juvenile offenders from the 'adult' facilities and placing them in less restrictive environments, with a focus on rehabilitation rather than just punishment. The grantee will work with the Office of Youth Development in enhancing and expanding the current programs in the state facilities as well as implementing new programs within the facilities with RSAT projects. However, the juvenile offenders remain in secure custody where programming and services will be offered in Therapeutic Community settings.

NCA/NCF