Systematic review of qualitative evaluations of reentry programs addressing problematic drug use and mental health disorders amongst people transitioning from prison to communities

Abstract

BackgroundThe paper presents a systematic review and metasynthesis of findings from qualitative evaluations of community reentry programs. The programs sought to engage recently released adult prison inmates with either problematic drug use or a mental health disorder.MethodsSeven biomedical and social science databases, Cinahl, Pubmed, Scopus, Proquest, Medline, Sociological abstracts and Web of Science and publisher database Taylor and Francis were searched in 2016 resulting in 2373 potential papers. Abstract reviews left 140 papers of which 8 were included after detailed review. Major themes and subthemes were identified through grounded theory inductive analysis of results from the eight papers. Of the final eight papers the majority (6) were from the United States. In total, the papers covered 405 interviews and included 121 (30%) females and 284 (70%) males.ResultsFindings suggest that the interpersonal skills of case workers; access to social support and housing; and continuity of case worker relationships throughout the pre-release and post-release period are key social and structural factors in program success.ConclusionEvaluation of community reentry programs requires qualitative data to contextualize statistical findings and identify social and structural factors that impact on reducing incarceration and improving participant health. These aspects of program efficacy have implications for reentry program development and staff training and broader social and health policy and services.

“When you first walk out the gates…where do [you] go?”: Barriers and opportunities to achieving continuity of health care at the time of release from a provincial jail in Ontario

“…In addition, we suggest a focus on individual-level strategies to improve health on release, which should be developed in collaboration with people with lived experience and with evaluation of acceptability, accessibility, and effectiveness. Building on evidence from transitional programs [30][31][32][33][34][35][36], concrete solutions may include comprehensive and patient-focused discharge planning before release from jail, the provision of information in jail and in the community on health issues and community-based services, and enhancement of programs to link people in custody with services in the community, including primary care. After release, emphasis should be placed on supports that have the capacity to adapt and respond to people's changing circumstances and needs, including harm reduction and substance use disorder treatment programs such as opioid agonist treatment programs.…”

“…There is growing international research on transitional programs to link people with health care and other services in the community after release from prison and jail, which range from providing pamphlets and telephone calls to specialized clinics and intensive case management, and have shown success in engagement and retention in health care in the community [30][31][32][33][34][35][36]. Such promising programs may have value for people on release from provincial correctional facilities in Ontario, given provincial and local data showing that one third or more of people who experience imprisonment do not have access to primary care in the community [37,38].…”

Continuum of Hepatitis C Care Cascade in Prison and Following Release in the Direct-acting Antivirals Era

“…The period of leaving incarceration is a particularly vulnerable time, and many people may not receive su cient long-term support during this period, which may lead to poor health outcomes, including the risk of treatment failure and re-infection (39). Retention in treatment is also essential to prevent the risk of developing drug resistance (40). Due to the similar competing priorities, factors that are considered as facilitators among people with HIV can be applied to the formerly incarcerated population with HCV to obtain synergistic effects.…”

A comprehensive multivariate model of biopsychosocial factors associated with opioid misuse and use disorder in a 2017-2018 United States national survey

“…[63] Examples include reentry programs, jobs placement programs, and integrated mental health and substance abuse treatment. [64][65][66][67] Furthermore, opioid use and misuse disorder may occur alongside use of other substances, and both the determinants and effects of co-use must be addressed by interventions. [5] Limitations To our knowledge, this is the rst US population-level study to comprehensively address risk pro les of opioid misuse using the latest national survey data available.…”