From Prison to Prison Again: How Prison-Referred Treatment Negatively Impacts Reintegration

• In Event: Collateral Consequences, Mental Health, and Emotional Wellbeing

Abstract

As a consequence of the War on Drugs and the rehabilitative arm of the criminal legal system, higher volumes of people are processed through state and local agencies for drug offenses. Leaning on Western and Harding’s (2022) concept of “careers in criminalization,” this work focuses on the negative impacts of incarceration for those convicted of drug offenses, how treatment can serve as another mechanism of surveillance, and the delayed reintegration as a consequence. Substantial literature supports that system contact for those convicted of drug offenses largely has a criminogenic effect. Conclusions on why are unclear and this research attempts to provide some answers. Utilizing the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Treatment Episodes Dataset, statistical analyses indicate that those referred to treatment from prison have a higher likelihood of being re-incarcerated during treatment across any other referral category. Implications here support work showing the criminogenic effect of imprisonment and a further understanding on what it means to be system-impacted. Findings contributes to a larger discussion around the harms and consequences of incarceration and the barriers it poses to rehabilitation.

Author

• Emelyne Lane, University of Missouri-St. Louis