It is with great sorrow that we report the passing of a longtime friend and supporter of the SASSI, Jack Harlow. Jack was a board member of The SASSI Institute for several years and was involved in the correctional field in many forms for the better part of 40 years. He was also a lifetime member of the Indiana Criminal Justice Association, as well as a chapter founder of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of South-Central Indiana (formerly BB/BS of Monroe County). We share our deepest condolences with his family. May he rest in peace. Jack was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce’s 105th Annual Meeting & Community Awards in 2020. We share the touching tribute video created to commemorate the award.
Tag: SASSI with Criminal Offenders
SASSI Supporting Community Corrections
The SASSI Institute supports community corrections by providing tools, training, and resources to help probation officers, case managers, and other professionals identify substance use issues among individuals in the criminal justice system. Our tools can enhance decision-making, reduce recidivism, and support successful rehabilitation efforts.
Key Ways the SASSI Institute Supports Community Corrections:
1. Validated Screening Tools:
- The Adult SASSI-4 and Adolescent SASSI-A3 are effective tools for identifying substance use disorders, even in individuals who may deny or minimize their use.
- The Correctional (COR) scale may be useful in promoting discussion of the basis of clients’ legal difficulties, if any, and behavioral patterns that prompt other types of sanctions. Discussions focused on ways to avoid future problems can be valuable for the client.
2. Efficient Assessment Process:
- SASSI tools are quick and easy to administer, typically taking 15 minutes to complete, which minimizes disruption to case management workflows.
- Scoring can be completed manually or through online software, allowing for rapid scoring, interpretation and integration into case plans.
3. Objective Decision-Making:
- The SASSI provides objective scoring to support probation and parole decisions and help in identifying high-risk behaviors.
- Can help in determining appropriate levels of intervention based on the likelihood of substance use disorders and scale scores.
4. Treatment Matching and Referral:
- The SASSI can offer insights into individuals’ substance use patterns and behaviors, aiding in referrals to suitable treatment programs.
5. Training for Community Corrections Professionals:
- The SASSI Institute provides workshops to train professionals in using SASSI tools effectively.
- Training ensures probation officers and case managers can confidently interpret results and apply them in their work.
6. Reducing Recidivism:
- By identifying substance use issues early, SASSI tools help community corrections professionals intervene before substance use leads to further criminal behavior.
- The SASSI can supports rehabilitation efforts by addressing substance use as a contributing factor to criminal activity.
7. Resources for Special Populations:
- Offers tools and guidance for working with diverse populations, including adolescents, monolingual Spanish speakers and IAmerican Sign Language.
8. Ongoing Support:
- Access to our Free Clinical Help Line for assistance with interpreting results and addressing case-specific questions.
- Updates and resources to keep community corrections professionals informed about best practices in substance use screening and assessment.
Benefits of using the SASSI in Community Corrections:
- Enhances the ability to identify and address substance use issues in justice-involved individuals.
- Improves treatment outcomes and supports long-term rehabilitation.
- Efficient and reliable screening tools reduces workload.
- Strengthens the link between corrections, treatment providers, and community resources.
The SASSI Institute can help community corrections professionals make informed decisions, improve client outcomes, and contribute to public safety. Large volume SASSI users in federal, state, and local correctional centers can reach out to us about the development of customized reports on a contractual basis to meet specific program needs
The SASSI in Community Corrections
The Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory (SASSI) is a valuable tool used in various contexts, including community corrections programs. When used in community corrections settings, the SASSI serves several important purposes:
- Screening for Substance Use Disorders (SUDs): One of the primary functions of the SASSI in community corrections is to screen individuals under supervision for potential substance use disorders. It helps probation and parole officers identify clients who may be struggling with substance abuse issues.
- Risk Assessment and Management: The SASSI provides valuable information about the level of risk that an individual poses in terms of problems related to their substance use. This information helps community corrections officers make informed decisions about supervision levels and interventions. For clients with co-occurring substance use and criminal justice issues, the SASSI helps community corrections officers manage risk more effectively.
- Treatment Planning: For individuals identified as having substance use issues, the SASSI results can inform the development of individualized treatment plans. It can help determine the appropriate type and intensity of substance abuse treatment needed to address the client’s specific needs.
- Referrals: If the SASSI identifies a client as having a high likelihood of a substance use disorder, community corrections officers can make referrals to specialized substance abuse treatment programs or other appropriate services.
- Resource Allocation: The SASSI results can help allocate limited resources within community corrections programs more effectively. As a result, officers can prioritize clients with higher substance abuse risk for more intensive interventions.
- Compliance and Accountability: Incorporating the SASSI screening tool into community corrections programs can enhance client accountability and motivation to get treatment, especially among clients who may be unaware or sincerely deluded about their substance use issues.
- Documentation and Reporting: The use of the SASSI screening tool in community corrections ensures that evaluations are conducted in a standardized and systematic manner, which is essential for documentation, reporting, and legal compliance.
It’s crucial to note that the SASSI should be administered by professionals who understand the nuances of substance use screening and the ethical considerations involved. Additionally, confidentiality is an important aspect of using the SASSI in a community corrections context, as clients’ rights and privacy must always be protected.
Criminal Justice Publication Accepted
Hello friends and colleagues,
We hope you and your families are all doing well. We wanted to call your attention to our very latest peer reviewed publication, released earlier this month. The title is: Criminal Justice Alcohol and Drug Screening in Practice: Using the Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory to Identify Substance Use Disorder in Offenders.
Now in its fourth iteration (SASSI-4), this article discusses the SASSI screening tools’ utility with criminal offenders and reviews a case study of a young male’s clinical evaluation while incarcerated. While SUD is not the only contributing factor to criminality, it significantly increases the likelihood of legal infraction and violations, placing these individuals at a higher risk of re-offending. Thus, identifying SUD as early as possible in the clinical relationship helps provide tailored treatment to those who need it, while simultaneously reducing the risk of future legal difficulties.
For this case study, we reviewed the SASSI-4 screening results of a 24-year-old male. The case presents an excellent example of the value of early identification of substance use disorder and potential problems in criminal justice settings.
We hope you enjoy the article, and as always, we look forward to your submissions and comments.