Motivation for Treatment Among Women Offenders in Prison-Based Treatment and Longitudinal Outcomes Among Those Who Participate in Community Aftercare

Abstract

Participation in aftercare may reduce risk of recidivism among women offenders with substance use problems following their release to the community. This study examines motivation to participate in aftercare among women offenders and whether their participation in both in-custody and aftercare treatment reduces their risk of recidivism. Surveys were conducted with women (N = 1,158) in prison-based substance abuse treatment programs. Return-to-prison was examined among participants in community-based aftercare (N = 1,182) over 12 months following treatment discharge. Higher treatment motivation was associated with child welfare involvement, prior treatment, and use of “harder” drugs; ethnic minority women had lower treatment motivation compared with White women. Participants who completed the aftercare program, or who had longer treatment duration, and those who had participated in an in-prison program prior to parole had reduced risk of recidivism. Study findings suggest the value of community aftercare for women offenders, particularly when combined with prior in-prison treatment.

A Time-Varying Model of Risk for Predicting Recidivism Among Women Offenders Over 3 Years Following Their Release From Jail

“…This finding is consistent with a study involving participants in a boot camp intervention that found that having more children reduced the risk of recidivism among women (not specific to substance users; Benda, 2005). Other studies have shown that the presence of children is a protective factor among women offenders with substance use disorders in that it has been associated with higher levels of treatment motivation or participation (Grella & Rodriguez, 2011;Saum, Hiller, Leigey, Inciardi, & Surratt, 2007) and lower risk of substance use relapse following release (Saxena, Grella, & Messina, 2015). Yet, one study found that women who had received treatment for opioid use were less likely to be using heroin at a 3-year follow-up if they had children in their care at treatment intake, but were more likely to be using other substances, including alcohol and other opioids (Comiskey, 2013).…”

Drug Dependence Treatment Awareness among Japanese Female Stimulant Drug Offenders

“…These findings are consistent with those of a previous study performed in the United States which reported high motivation among inmates who had been incarcerated more than once [26]. However, for repeat offenders (≥three times), the proportion of people with high awareness levels was only 45% in this study.…”

Continuing Care and Trauma in Women Offenders’ Substance Use, Psychiatric Status, and Self-Efficacy Outcomes

“…The prison/aftercare group had worse outcomes (i.e., a higher number of substances used, an increased probability of high psychiatric severity, and lower self-efficacy scores) as the number of trauma events increased, whereas the outcomes in the continuing care group did not show substantive changes across trauma levels. Thus, continuing care interventions may be particularly warranted for women offenders at higher levels of severity, such as those who are involved in child welfare services, have greater psychiatric severity, and have higher perceived needs (Grella & Rodriguez, 2011). …”

“…The third sample used in this secondary analysis was originally part of a larger study, the Female Offender Treatment and Employment Project (Grella & Rodriguez, 2011), a statewide multisite initiative to provide comprehensive services to women parolees with a history of substance abuse problems in order to promote their successful reintegration into the community. One of the Female Offender Treatment and Employment Project programs received external funding for a project called Liberating Our Families From Drugs and Incarceration (LOFFDI) to enhance its services, including the provision of trauma-informed treatment (Seeking Safety; Najavits, 2002; Najavits et al, 1998).…”