title: Adding positive reinforcement in justice settings: acceptability and feasibility.
abstract: Although contingency management (CM) approaches are among the most promising methods for initiating drug abstinence (S. T. Higgins, S. M. Alessi, & R. L. Dantona, 2002; S. T. Higgins, S. H. Heil, & J. P. Lussier, 2004), adoption and implementation of CM protocols into treatment programs are both challenging and infrequent. In criminal justice agencies, where roughly 70% of clients report substance abuse issues (F. S. Taxman, K. L. Cropsey, D. W. Young, & H. Wexler, 2007), CM interventions are virtually nonexistent. The Justice Steps (JSTEPS) study uses a longitudinal, mixed-method design to examine the implementation of a CM-based protocol in five justice settings. This article presents qualitative data collected during Phase 1 of the JSTEPS project regarding the acceptability and feasibility of CM in these justice settings. The study finds a level of acceptability (find CM tolerable) and feasibility (find CM suitable) within justice agencies, but with some challenges. These challenges are reflected in the following: (a) incorporating too many desired target behaviors into CM models; (b) facing intraorganizational challenges when designing CM systems; and (c) emphasizing sanctions over rewards despite the evidence-base for positive reinforcers. These findings have implications for advancing the dissemination, adoption, and implementation of evidence-based treatments (and CM in particular) in criminal justice settings.
authors.affiliation: George Mason University, USA. drudes@gmu.edu
authors.forename: Danielle S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Rudes
authors.forename: Faye S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Taxman
authors.forename: Shannon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Portillo
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rhodes
authors.forename: Maxine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stitzer
authors.forename: Peter F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Luongo
authors.forename: Peter D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Friedmann
mesh_terms: D003416:Criminal Law; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000628:therapy*