Gateway understands that substance abuse treatment services delivered within the institutional setting are extremely effective for the right level of offender; however, others can be successfully treated without the need for incarceration. In fact, our core belief is that for certain non-violent offenders, adequate interventions and accountability can be provided within the community context, in a much more cost effective alternative than mere incarceration. Our Community Corrections treatment services are designed to meet this need.
Gateway’s Community Corrections programs include intensive and supportive outpatient counseling, re-entry / transition programs, and more highly structured day reporting centers. Interventions are most effective through appropriately matching the offenders’ needs with the correct level of treatment intensity and supervision.
Gateway Foundation believes that all clients in need of treatment services should receive them through the “least restrictive environment”. For many offenders, this can be successfully accomplished on an outpatient basis. For those who require in-custody treatment, upon completion of that treatment episode there remains a need for appropriate continued care within the community. In cases where residential transition services are unavailable, or where clients have a lower risk of recidivism and relapse, outpatient follow up and/or aftercare is the most appropriate service modality. These outpatient services can assist in a successful re-entry, and provide stabilization in the community after the offender has been released from incarceration.
Continued care post-release from incarceration focuses on real life application of the principles learned in the in-custody correctional treatment episode, with a heavy emphasis on Relapse Prevention and Re-Entry Life Skills. In most substance abuse treatment locations, Gateway’s Outpatient services are available six days per week, with both day and evening hours.
The transition to the community is the most delicate part of the correctional treatment process for the substance abusing offender. All change initiated within the in-custody correctional treatment episode must be reinforced as the client prepares to return home. When at all possible, residential transition services should be provided for clients with a higher risk of relapse and a return to a criminal lifestyle. In a context where that is not possible, Gateway can provide intensive outpatient care to ensure adequate structure and accountability is afforded the offender who is re-entering society.
