Reentry and Health-Related Challenges Facing Offenders with Co-Occurring Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders

• In Event: Engaging Former Prisoners in Health Care to Improve Reentry

Abstract

Mental health and substance use disorders pose challenges for men and women at every stage of the criminal justice process, from arrest and incarceration to community reentry and reintegration. Additionally, many returning offenders report having chronic health conditions, all of which complicate an already difficult reentry process. Few studies, however, have examined the differential effect that health conditions, primarily co-occurring disorders, have on the reintegration experiences and access to health care services among this population. Findings from the Returning Home study demonstrate that roughly 8 of 10 men and 9 of 10 women in the sample reported at least one physical, mental health, or substance abuse problem. Given the high prevalence of these conditions, we examine the health status among a sample of men and women leaving confinement with co-occurring disorders and how this shaped their reentry outcomes and connection to health care services using data collected between 2002 and 2005. Within 12 months of leaving prison, men and women with co-occurring disorders had significantly poorer reentry and health outcomes and were more likely to need medical-related services compared to those with no indication of these problems. The paper concludes with recommendations for improved policy and practice.

Authors

• Nicholas Bakken, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse

• Christy A. Visher, University of Delaware