Predictors of Drug Treatment Completion Among Parole Violators (original) (raw)

Substance Abuse Treatment Gap Among Adult Parolees: Prevalence, Correlates, and Barriers

Criminal Justice Review, 2011

Each year 700,000 prisoners are released back into the community, and substance abuse poses an enormous threat to their successful reentry. Using data from the 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, this study reports on drug use and treatment exposure, prevalence of unmet treatment needs, psychosocial risks, and barriers to treatment among recent and current parolees. Findings show that whereas substance problems are higher among parolees than the general public, the former are more likely to receive treatment for their problems. Substance-abusing parolees who did not receive treatment often experienced multiple psychosocial challenges. Lack of health care coverage, lack of transportation, and lack of readiness for change were identified as major treatment barriers. Policy implications are discussed.

Recidivism Following Mandated Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for Felony Probationers

The Prison Journal, 2006

Substance abuse is common among probationers, and treatment programs have become an integral part of community corrections. The current study presents findings from a modified therapeutic community (TC) serving drug abusing probationers in a large metropolitan area. Findings show that treatment dropouts were more likely to be rearrested for a serious felony within 2 years of leaving the TC program than were treatment graduates and probationers from an untreated comparison group. Also, a significantly smaller proportion of graduates were rearrested during the 2nd year after release compared to those who drop out of treatment or who do not receive treatment. Logistic regression analysis that adjusted for pre-existing group differences suggests there was a small impact of the TC program on recidivism, with treatment graduates only slightly less likely to be arrested within 2 years of leaving the program.

Risk Factors That Predict Dropout from Corrections-Based Treatment for Drug Abuse

The Prison Journal, 1999

Early dropout or failure to engage in drug abuse treatment is a common problem in correctional settings. This study presents findings from 339 felony probationers mandated to a 6-month modified therapeutic community (TC) in lieu of imprisonment. Early dropout was related to cocaine dependence, having a history of psychiatric treatment, being unemployed before adjudication to treatment, and to higher levels of depression, anxiety, and hostility. Dropout rates also were higher for probationers with deviant peer networks and lower ratings of self-efficacy. However, multivariate analyses showed that scoring high on a criminality risk index was the strongest predictor of leaving treatment early and appears to represent a good composite risk measure. These findings can help identify who needs residential treatment, and who is at greatest risk for not completing it.

Drug treatment process indicators for probationers and prediction of recidivism

Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 1996

Research has shown that substance abuse treatment is associated with reduced criminal activity as well as reduced drug use. An increasingly important aspect of treatment evaluation, however, is understanding more about the therapeutic process involved. Based on a sample of 279 probationers assigned to residential treatment for drug use problems, the purpose of this study is to examine several elements of treatment process and how they influence recidivism. Rearrest rate during a 2-year follow-up study period was 36%, and survival analysis showed it was directly related to poorer during-treatment ratings by probationers of self-esteem, counselor competence, and peer support from others in the treatment program. These were better predictor measures than background and demographic characteristics generally used in other studies, suggesting the role of therapeutic engagement in the recovery, process.

Drug treatment services for adult offenders: The state of the state

Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 2007

We conducted a national survey of prisons, jails, and community correctional agencies to estimate the prevalence of entry into and accessibility of correctional programs and drug treatment services for adult offenders. Substance abuse education and awareness is the most prevalent form of service provided, being offered in 74% of prisons, 61% of jails, and 53% of community correctional agencies; at the same time, remedial education is the most frequently available correctional program in prisons (89%) and jails (59.5%), whereas sex offender therapy (57.2%) and intensive supervision (41.9%) dominate in community correctional programs. Most substance abuse services provided to offenders are offered through correctional programs such as intensive supervision, day reporting, vocational education, and work release, among others. Although agencies report a high frequency of providing substance abuse services, the prevalence rates are misleading because less than a quarter of the offenders in prisons and jails and less than 10% of those in community correctional agencies have access to these services through correctional agencies; in addition, these are predominantly drug treatment services that offer few clinical services. Given that drug-involved offenders are likely to have dependence rates that are four times greater than those among the general public, the drug treatment services and correctional programs available to offenders do not appear to be appropriate for the needs of this population. The National Criminal Justice Treatment Practices survey provides a better understanding of the distribution of services and programs across prisons, jails, and community correctional agencies and allows researchers and policymakers to understand some of the gaps in services and programs that may negatively affect recidivism reduction efforts.

The Safety and Effectiveness of Diverting Felony Drug Offenders to Residential Treatment as Measured by Recidivism

Criminal Justice Policy Review, 2000

addicted offenders who are prison bound to residential drug treatment. The goal of DTAP is to treat offenders in community-based facilities without endangering public safety and to decrease their recidivism following treatment. Official rearrest rates were examined for 487 comparable defendants. Of DTAP participants, 4% were rearrested during treatment, whereas 13% of the nonparticipants were rearrested during the pretrial and sentence periods. Of DTAP completers, 23% were rearrested during the 3-year period following treatment completion, which was less than half the rate for DTAP failures and nonparticipants. The authors conclude that when appropriate screening and monitoring procedures are implemented, diverting drug felons to residential treatment is at least as safe as traditional prosecution and sentencing and that successful completion of treatment is much more effective in reducing recidivism than completion of traditional sentences.