The Perceptions and Needs of Practitioners Working to Promote Smart Decarceration.

Abstract

The social work Grand Challenge to Promote Smart Decarceration's aim is to address the high rates of incarceration in the United States.

Purpose: Yet very little is known about criminal justice practitioners in the U.S.

Method: In this exploratory study. Practitioners in correctional facilities (n = 38), responded to an online survey asking them about their perceptions of the services they provide and to identify their professional needs working within these settings.

Results: Findings include the need for people who are incarcerated to have access to treatment for substance use, behavioral/mental health, and trauma-related issues. In addition, they reported the need for service coordination with agencies based in their home communities. Furthermore, the participants reported that they need more training and support on these topics in order to provide effective services to their clients.

Discussion: Implications for practice, research, and policy are discussed, including strategies to address all levels of primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention.