Reviewing the ‘TASC’ (Treatment Alternatives to Street Crime) Experience

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-1992

Abstract

The Treatment Alternatives to Street Crime (TASC) program provides an effective bridge between two separate institutions: the criminal justice system and the drug treatment community. The justice system's legal sanctions reflect concerns for public safety and punishment, whereas treatment emphasizes therapeutic intervention as a means for altering drug-taking and drug-seeking behaviors. TASC identifies, assesses, and refers drug-involved offenders to community treatment services as an alternative or supplement to existing justice system sanctions and procedures. In the more than 100 jurisdictions where TASC currently operates, it serves as a court diversion mechanism or a supplement to probation supervision. After referral to community-based treatment, TASC monitors the client's progress and compliance, including expectations for abstinence, employment, and improved personal and social functioning. It then reports treatment results back to the referring justice system agency. Clients who violate the conditions of their justice mandate (diversion, deferred sentencing pretrial intervention, or probation), their TASC contract, or their treatment agreement are typically returned to the justice system for continued processing or sanctions. Evaluations of local programs find that the majority effectively link criminal justice and treatment systems, identify previously untreated drug-involved offenders, and intervene with clients to reduce drug abuse and criminal activity. © 1992, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved.

Journal Title

Journal of Crime and Justice

Volume

15

Issue

1

First Page

45

Last Page

61

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1080/0735648X.1992.9721452

First Department

Behavioral Sciences

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