Co-Occurring Substance Abuse and Mental Health Disorders as Predictors of Recidivism

• In Event: Mental Disorder and Offending

Abstract

Prisoner reentry is a significant research and policy concern. Data indicate that approximately 700,000 inmates are released each year from prisons, but there are an additional 9 million released from state and county jails. A growing body of research has studied criminogenic factors that might be addressed and adjusted while institutionalized to allow individuals to reenter society in a positive manner. However, there is little research focusing on the reentry of individuals suffering from co-occurring disorders. This research examined the post release recidivism of an experimental study of offenders who had been diagnosed as suffering from varying levels of substance abuse and mental illness, while also observing the usual deficits that affect criminality (i.e. education, employment, vocational skills, marriage, criminal history, etc.). The findings suggest that particular substance abuse profiles, together with particular mental health disorders (PTSD, obsessive/compulsive, and antisocial personality) exhibited significantly higher rates of recidivism, while individuals with major depressive disorder and manic disorder exhibited significantly lower rates. These reentry recidivism findings were observed after controlling for prior criminal history and a variety of demographic factors. These findings suggest certain best practice recommendations.

Authors

• Danielle Carkin, Stonehill College

• Paul E Tracy, University of Massachusetts, Lowell