Substance use, victimization, HIV/AIDS risk, and recidivism among females in a therapeutic justice program

Abstract

This analysis examines the association between crack/cocaine use only and the SAVA syndemic ((any substance use, AND being exposed to violence, AND having HIV/AIDS risk behaviors) at baseline and any felony, misdemeanor, or municipal violations by an 8-month follow-up. Data comes from 317 women recruited from a Municipal Drug Court System in the Midwest. Among the sample, 45% of the women had at least one felony, misdemeanor, or a municipal violation at the 8-month follow-up (felony: 20%; misdemeanor or municipal violation 25%). Multinomial regression revealed that crack/cocaine use and SAVA at baseline were associated specifically with misdemeanors OR 2.21 (95% CI: 1.21, 4.04) and OR 3.60 (95% CI: 1.23, 10.56) respectively, no increases in odds of felonies were evident. Women with a higher number of lifetime arrests were also significantly more likely to have a greater number of offenses postbaseline, while black women were considerably less likely to be charged with misdemeanors. Recent crack/cocaine use with or without the mutually reinforcing issues of victimization, and HIV/AIDS risk behaviors significantly increased the odds of a misdemeanors/municipal violation. However, significant increases in odds of more severe offenses (felonies) were not evident. Interventions aimed to reduce offenses should offer additional support for crack/cocaine users.

Prevalence of Intimate Partner Violence, Substance Use Disorders and Depression among Incarcerated Women in Lima, Perú

“…There was an association between threats/experiences of violence and depression, which partially explains the similar violence and depression rates among the sample (69.3% violence and 67.5% depression). These findings are consistent with other female incarcerated populations that shows evidence of elevated levels of violence and depression among incarcerated populations compared to the general population, especially among repeat offenders [ 33 , 34 ]; however, because of global trend overall of rising female incarceration, this presents an urgent public health problem to be addressed [ 35 ].…”