Treating Substance Abuse in Prison: A Comparison of Therapeutic Communities and Intensive Outpatient Services

• In Event: Rehabilitation and Reentry in Prison

Abstract

This paper focuses on the effectiveness of substance abuse treatment programs available in Ohio prisons for reducing institutional misconduct and the odds of returning to prison after release. The treatment programs include therapeutic communities (TC) and intensive outpatient programs (IOP) for inmates who have substance abuse needs. Correctional research has found mixed evidence regarding the ability of therapeutic communities to reduce recidivism, but empirical studies of the topic to date have been limited in both number and the methods employed. Aside from comparing program completers to non-completers in their odds of various forms of misconduct and return-to-prison, we also examine the effectiveness of the TC programs relative to the IOP programs. Results are assessed in terms of the current state of institutional treatment programs available to inmates with substance abuse needs.

Authors

• Amanda Pompoco, University of Cincinnati

• Melissa Lugo, University of Cincinnati

• John Wooldredge, University of Cincinnati

• Carrie Sullivan, University of Cincinnati

• Edward J. Latessa, University of Cincinnati