Bridge Program

About the Program

Category: Criminal Justice and Public Safety (Best in Category)

Year: 2016

In April 2011, Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office created the Bridge program, a program targeted to assist substance dependent individuals while incarcerated. The purpose of Bridge is to assist its participants in understanding the reasons they use drugs and facilitate skill-development so they are empowered to interact with the world in a more positive way. Program content addresses deep-rooted, unresolved childhood issues and teaches skills that empower the individual to learn how to interact with the world in a substance and crime-free way. Curriculum addresses criminogenic factors of its targeted population in order to reduce recidivism and create a safer community for the citizens of the county. The outcomes of the program are measured using statewide recidivism data as well as information from post release clients about their improved quality of life. The statistical way the program’s effectiveness is measured is through the software program, CORIS. CORIS provides statewide data about recidivism. The current success rate is 49%. Other measures of program evaluation include an evidence-based tool, SOCRATES. SOCRATES is a 19 question self-reporting questionnaire administered both pre- and post- to program participation. Questionnaire content targets how the participant feels about their drug use and their ability to make a change.