Facilitating Transition Back to the Community: An Analysis of the Post-release Context for Inmates with Substance Use Problems Leaving Prison

• In Event: Substance Use Treatment for Criminal Offenders

Abstract

For soon-to-be released prisoners with substance abuse problems, accessing treatment after release is an essential part of their community reintegration process. Pre-release services can help facilitate the post-release process of treatment access. Using data from the Serious and Violent Offender Reentry Initiative (SVORI) study, this paper examines the role of geographic differences and time since release on the effectiveness of pre-release services (and relevant covariates) in assisting prisoners’ access to community-based treatment. Results from logistic and mixed effects multilevel logistic models present key factors affecting the receipt of substance abuse treatment in the 9 months following release. Based on the analyses, a model for improved transition services for inmates with substance abuse issues is presented, with particular consideration paid to the state and temporal context.

Authors

• Leah Kathleen Hamilton, Temple University

• Steven Belenko, Temple University