2009 Pennsylvania 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 2009 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 Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) will use the FY 2009 RSAT funds to fund the Bureau of Treatment Services (BTS) expansion of the existing alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment services offered at SCI Pittsburgh (PIT). Data collected from the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (PDOC) Diagnostic and Classification Centers indicates that approximately 64% of all new inmates admitted by the PDOC are AOD abusers or dependent and require some form of treatment.

The PDOC currently operates 35 Therapeutic Communities (TC's) in 23 State Correctional Institutions. The overall goal of the TC is to provide an inmate in need of treatment with the opportunity to change his/her attitude and behavior, with the ultimate goal of relapse prevention, a successful re-entry to the community, and a crime-free lifestyle. AOD treatment will be based on Motivational Enhancement Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as indicated by the Principles of Effective Intervention. The RSAT funds will be used to provide quality AOD treatment services in a timely manner in an effort to reduce the length of stay in a correctional institution. The participants will be provided the opportunity to change their attitudes and behaviors that led to AOD use/addiction and incarceration.

Ten percent (10%) of the 2009 RSAT funds will be distributed to the following counties, which are currently partnering with the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (PDOC) on handling state inmates, and planning their release to their home counties: Dauphin, York, and Lackawana.

NCA/NCF