Gender differences in outcomes from prison-based residential treatment (original) (raw)
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A randomized experimental study of gender-responsive substance abuse treatment for women in prison
Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 2010
This experimental pilot study compared postrelease outcomes for 115 women who participated in prison-based substance abuse treatment. Women were randomized to a gender-responsive treatment (GRT) program using manualized curricula (Helping Women Recover and Beyond Trauma) or a standard prison-based therapeutic community. Data were collected from the participants at prison program entry and 6 and 12 months after release. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted. Results indicate that both groups improved in psychological well-being; however, GRT participants had greater reductions in drug use, were more likely to remain in residential aftercare longer (2.6 vs. 1.8 months, p < .05), and were less likely to have been reincarcerated within 12 months after parole (31% vs. 45%, respectively; a 67% reduction in odds for the experimental group, p < .05). Findings show the beneficial effects of treatment components oriented toward women's needs and support the integration of GRT in prison programs for women.
Gender and treatment response in substance use treatment-mandated parolees
Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 2011
Well-controlled, randomized studies of correctional interventions examining gender effects are rare. This study examined gender main effects and gender by treatment interactions in a multisite randomized trial (N = 431) comparing a new form of correctional supervision for drug-involved offenders (Collaborative Behavioral Management; CBM) to standard parole. Outcomes included repeated measures of yes/no use of primary drug, alcohol use, and recidivism during 9 months post-release. Generalized estimating equation analyses indicated that despite using harder drugs at baseline, women were less likely than men to use their primary drug and to use alcohol during the follow-up period. No gender-related differences in recidivism were found. Treatment interacted with gender to predict alcohol use, with women in CBM reporting the best alcohol outcomes (only 5% used alcohol during the follow-up period). The clear expectations, positive reinforcement,
Examining Gender Specific Treatment Programs in Women's Prisons
2016
The female offender population has been the fastest growing segment of the correctional population. Historically, victimization and trauma are highly correlated with substance abuse and dependency that are known to have a significant impact on females' pathway toward criminal lifestyle, incarceration, relapse, and recidivism. Due to feminists' research, today we know that females ofenders' pathways toward substance abuse, criminal behavior, and recidivism differ from those of males. As a result, a discussion about the development and implementation of gender-specific substance abuse treatment programs has been initiated. The purpose of this study is to discover if research recommendations proposed, have been taken to consideration and implemented. The qualitative data was derived from various sources. The results suggest that several correctional institutions aim to provide treatment that addresses female offenders' gender-specific needs.
Behavioral Sciences & the Law, 2008
This study examined gender differences in a range of lifetime psychiatric disorders in a sample of 272 offenders newly admitted to a prison substance abuse program. Although these men and women did not differ in severity of substance use in the six months prior to incarceration, women were significantly more likely than men to report a lifetime psychiatric disorder and a lifetime severe disorder. Furthermore, gender differences emerged in the pattern of lifetime psychiatric comorbidity. Women reported greater lifetime major depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, eating disorder, and borderline personality disorder; men were more likely than women to meet criteria for antisocial personality disorder. Additionally, female offenders were found to have a higher degree of internalizing disorders than male offenders, but there were no gender differences in degree of externalizing disorders. The study concluded that women offenders newly admitted to a prison substance abuse program present with a greater psychiatric vulnerability and a different pattern of psychiatric comorbidity than their male counterparts.
Treatment of substance-abusing jail inmates Examination of gender differences
Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 1997
Females incarcerated for drug-related offenses represent one of the fastest growing populations within jails and prisons. The few studies of female offenders with substance abuse disorders depict a population with multiple psychosocial problems and treatment needs, and one that is characterized by frequent exposure to sexual abuse and other violence. The current study examined intake assessment results from a sample of 1,655 substance-involved jail inmates referred to a jail treatment program in Tampa, Florida, including 26%female and 74% male inmates. The study was designed to identify gender differences in psychosocial characteristics and substance abuse treatment needs" among jail inmates. Results indicate that female inmates more frequently experienced employment problems, had lower incomes, more frequently reported cocaine as the primary drug of choice, and were more likely to report depression, anxiety, suicidal behavior, and a history of physical and sexual abuse. Implications for developing specialized treatment approaches for female offenders are discussed, including use of integrated treatment strategies.
Gender comparisons of drug abuse treatment outcomes and predictors
Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 2003
Gender differences in drug treatment outcomes and predictors were examined among a sample of 511 patients recruited from drug treatment programs across Los Angeles County. Face-to-face interviews were conducted at baseline and at 1-year follow-up. Results showed that women and men started their drug use and treatment careers at similar ages, but men reported greater drug use and criminal involvement at baseline. There were no significant differences by gender in drug use and alcohol use at follow-up but men reported more crimes than women. Separate logistic regression analyses showed that for both women and men, longer treatment retention was associated with drug abstinence and crime desistence at follow-up. Additional baseline predictors of abstinence at follow-up included use of multiple drugs and readiness for treatment for women, and spousal drug use for men. For crime desistence, significant predictors include legal involvement and treatment readiness for women, and legal involvement, use of multiple drugs, and living with children for men. For both women and men, participation in 12-step groups and no spousal drug use during follow-up were related to abstinence. There were both similarities and differences in predictors of treatment outcome for women and men.
Journal of the American Medical Women's Association (1972), 1998
Women in jail experience high rates of many health and social problems. This study examined the effects of preexisting social and health characteristics and the type of services received on retention in community aftercare for 193 drug-using women released from the New York City jail to two low-income communities. Rearrest rates for program participants were compared to a group of women not eligible for services because of their residence outside the target communities. Women who enrolled in residential programs with on-site drug treatment and other social services after release were compared to women who enrolled in less comprehensive services. The residential treatment group participated in the program significantly longer (276 v 180 days, p = .02) than women in other types of services. Women in residential programs were significantly more likely to have used crack or cocaine in the 30 days prior to arrest than women in other types of programs (84% v 59%, p = .001), but few other ...
Gender differences in the effects of prison on recidivism
Journal of Criminal Justice
PurposeThis study examines gender differences in the effectiveness of prison in reducing recidivism.Methods Using data on released male and female prisoners, we apply a propensity score matching methodology to compare the effects of prison on recidivism versus three counterfactual conditions—jail, intensive probation, and probation.ResultsThe analyses indicated that a prison term, as compared to placement on intensive probation or traditional probation, is associated with a greater likelihood of property and drug recidivism. There was little evidence that recidivism was greater when compared to jail, that prison increased the likelihood of violent or other recidivism, or that the criminogenic effect of prison is appreciably greater for females or males.Conclusions The findings do not support arguments that prison is an effective alternative to non-incarcerative punishments or that it exerts a differential effect on females or males. Further research is needed on what features of the...
Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 2019
This study examined factors associated with postprogram recidivism for male and female drug court participants. Secondary data, including the drug court participant assessment and Management Information System, as well as official state records for arrests, convictions, and incarcerations, were examined for a stratified random sample of drug court participants (males: n ¼ 322; females: n ¼ 284). Examining two-year postprogram recidivism for males, three variables were associated with reduced odds of recidivism: age, marital status, and number of days in drug court. For males, one variable was associated with increased odds of recidivism: number of positive drug tests during drug court. Examining two-year postprogram recidivism for females, four variables were associated with reduced odds of recidivism: age, employment status, number of days in drug court, and receiving ancillary services during drug court. For females, two variables were associated with increased odds of recidivism: prior misdemeanor alcohol conviction and number of positive drug tests during drug court. Findings suggest some overlap in factors of influence for postprogram recidivism, yet also unique contributions by gender. Data suggest the importance of understanding risks and needs to properly match services to individuals.
Variables Associated with Treatment Outcome in a Sample of Female Offenders
The Open Criminology Journal, 2009
Using discriminant analysis, data collected from incarcerated female substance abusers (N = 100) are examined to explore the relationship between substance abuse and trauma. Participants were identified as belonging to one of three groups: incarcerated females waiting substance abuse treatment (n = 36); incarcerated females who have completed substance abuse treatment (n = 43); and, incarcerated females who did not complete substance abuse treatment (n = 21). Three variables associated with measures of emotional issues (depression, self esteem, and post traumatic stress disorder) and three demographic/background variables (history of domestic violence, prior substance abuse treatment, and prior criminal charges) were identified as having the strongest potential to discriminate between offenders who completed treatment and those who did not enter or did not complete treatment. Implications of these findings for determining treatment needs are discussed.