Jail Evaluation in Richmond, VA

What Is a Jail Evaluation?

A jail evaluation is an assessment for drug and alcohol abuse or addiction while the subject is incarcerated. This kind of evaluation helps the professional administering it develop a customized treatment plan for the individual. Some of the circumstances where a judge might order a jail evaluation involve driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, possession of illegal drugs, public intoxication, or disorderly conduct. Some states require assessment as part of the sentencing procedure for crimes related to drugs and alcohol.

What Happens During a Jail Evaluation?

A jail evaluation includes the same content as a drug and alcohol evaluation performed anywhere else. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a complete drug evaluation includes two components, screening, and assessment. Each piece has a specific purpose. A screening is a process that leads to a yes or no answer about whether or not the person has an addiction or substance use disorder. If the answer is yes, then an assessment determines the extent of the problem, establishes a diagnosis, and lays out treatment recommendations.

If you have a drug and alcohol evaluation in an office setting, a team of professionals, including social workers, therapists, and doctors, might complete the screening and assessment. However, in a jail setting, that’s not always possible, so your evaluation might be carried out by just one or two professionals trained to work in the jail environment.

No matter who is doing the evaluation, the clinicians take down a history of your substance use, information about any prior treatment you’ve had, as well as a review of your physical and mental health.

Once all the information is gathered, the clinicians make several key findings:

• Whether the subject has a drug or alcohol addiction, and if so, what is the extent of the condition
• Whether co-occurring conditions exist, such as mental or physical health diagnoses
• The impact of substance use on the individual’s day to day life

All of this information is critically important because it leads to a treatment plan tailored to the individual, giving the person the greatest chance of successfully getting into recovery.

Can Casselton Consultants Help With a Jail Evaluation?

Casselton Consultants meets with potential clients in the jails to assess whether they might be a good fit for the program. Our assessment team uses personal interviews and standardized instruments to make the best decisions possible for the client.

We also explain our program requirements and establish how many group therapy sessions we will prescribe during the evaluation. We do charge an extra fee for a jail evaluation; however, some clients have been able to get out of jail on bond as a result of completing the assessment and agreeing to enter our program.

Contact us today and let us help you or your loved one start the journey to recovery.