Jail Treatment Services

For individuals in the Jefferson County Jail, the JCATT model prescribes an assessment to assess mental health issues, substance use disorders and co-occurring disorders. LifeSpring Health Systems staff administers the assessments when an individual is still incarcerated 14 days after arrest. All assessments are placed in the inmate's medical file as determined by the Sheriff or designee.

Assessments Used

These assessments are used to determine appropriateness for the group counseling services offered in the Jefferson County Jail. Any person referred to group counseling is assessed using the Texas Christian University Drug Screen V (TCUDS V). If alcohol use only is indicated, the Short Michigan Alcohol Screening Test (SMAST) is administered. Females are assessed for trauma using the Brief Trauma Questionnaire (BTQ). All individuals receiving assessments for group treatment are also assessed for individual therapy.

Substance Abuse Groups

A total of four groups are offered in the jail and are defined by gender. Inmates in the jail may choose to participate in substance abuse groups which are facilitated by LifeSpring. 

Males

The male population uses a Substance Abuse-Stages of Change Model which consists of the Trans-Theoretical Model (TTM). The sessions are substance use disorder focused therapy sessions that offer strategies on the stages of change, using a motivational approach to invoke change and promote client motivation.

Before entering this group, the inmates are assessed using a Readiness Ruler Stages of Change Assessment to determine which group is appropriate. This data will also be used in evaluating progress throughout the client’s participation. There are two components of this group; therefore, two separate groups are delivered weekly.

First Component

The first component, “Thinking About Changing Substance Use” is comprised of 16 sessions. The target population for this component are those clients in the Pre-contemplation, Contemplation, and Preparation Stage of change.

Second component

The second component, “Making Changes in Substance Use” is comprised of 18 sessions. The target population for this component are those clients at the Action and Maintenance Stage of change. Ideally a client would move from the first group to the second but in some cases, when they have been assessed at the Action-Maintenance Stage of Change, they will be referred to this group.

Females

The female population in the Jefferson County Jail is offered two different groups. The “Seeking Safety” group is provided to those inmates assessed to have a substance use disorder and test positive on the Brief Trauma Questionnaire Assessment.

For those females that complete Seeking Safety and/or are at the Action - Maintenance Stage of Change they will be referred to “Making Changes in Substance Use” which has 18 sessions. This is a Trans-Theoretical Model (TTM) Substance Use Group. The sessions offer strategies based on the stages of change, using a motivational approach to invoke change and promote client motivation.