This research project was initiated by the Chief Scientist in the Ministry of Public Security and was conducted by researchers Dr. Yoav Santo and Prof. Giora Rahav from the Adam Institute.

The main objective of the study was to assess the efficacy and efficiency of the Treatment Community Model at the Hermon prison – a prison facility dedicated to drug rehabilitation. The study also used a longitudinal research design focusing on the "graduates" of the Hermon Prison Drug Rehabilitation Program.

The research project was established to examine the long term effect of the treatment given in the Community Treatment Program in the Hermon Prison for drug offenders. In addition, the study was also designed to assess the effectiveness of the treatment in comparison to other conventional methods of treatment in other prisons.

A final goal of the research project was to examine the general effect of the program in minimizing the use of drugs and crime in particular and the rehabilitation of the prisoners within his or her community, in general.

The research observed prisoners in the Hermon facility between the years 2000-2001, and conducted a follow up of a sample of prisoners over a period of 36 months from the beginning of their rehabilitation program. Every prisoner in the research project gave their consent to taking part in the program and waived their medical confidentiality rights.
The findings were gathered via the qualitative method using in-depth interviews with the prisoners and key personnel in the treatment and rehabilitation staff, as well as members of the custodial staff of the prison and the strategic planning units. In addition, observations were conducted during the treatment process, work groups and the every day work of the program, and many documents and protocols were analyzed and discussed.
Data were also gathered via quantitative methods using questionnaires given to prisoners when entering the program and at three other critical point in time during their treatment process. The questionnaires were designed for two basic situations: one when the prisoner is in jail and one when they are released and integrated in the community.

The primary conclusions are that the treatment and rehabilitation program for drug offenders at the Hermon prison leads to a higher success rate in comparison to a lack of treatment or any other treatment offered in other prison facilities. It was also concluded that after-care and the supervision and treatment after the prisoner's release into the community are key factors in their success. In addition to these conclusions, the report also presented recommendations both for the treating level and the organizational levels which will contribute to the success of the rehabilitation and treatment of prisoners within the prison walls.