Female Offenders Substance Abuse Treatment Satisfaction and Desistance from Substance Use

• In Event: Just and Effective Correctional Responses to Women Offenders

Abstract

Illegal substance use affects female offenders’ deviant behaviors and ability to navigate the criminal justice system. Thus participation in a substance abuse treatment programing and women’s satisfaction with the program are vital to understanding patterns of desistance from substance use. The goal of the study is to gain greater clarity into the factors which contribute to women’s satisfaction with treatment and identify characteristics of the treatment program that aid in their desistance from substance use. The study utilizes a convergent parallel mixed methods design. First, logistic regression analysis is used to assess whether or not going to treatment affects continued use in a sample of 402 female offenders. Next, quantitative data from 226 women who participated in treatment are used to assess the dimensions of treatment that lead to positive outcomes. Lastly, women’s responses to open ended questions about effective programming are analyzed to corroborate or expand understanding of “what works” from the women’s viewpoint.

Authors

• Marva Vernelle Goodson, Michigan State University

• Merry Morash, Michigan State University

• Deborah A. Kashy, Michigan State University

• Sandi W. Smith, Michigan State University