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Compulsory Community-Based Substance Abuse Treatment and the Mentally Ill Criminal Offender

NCJ Number
170640
Journal
Prison Journal Volume: 76 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1996) Pages: 180-191
Author(s)
M L Hiller; K Knight; K M Broome; D D Simpson
Date Published
1996
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This study examined the relationship between mental health status and 18-month follow-up rearrest data of 191 probationers remanded to 4 months of treatment at a corrections-operated, community-based residential substance abuse program between November 1993 and October 1994.
Abstract
Ninety-seven percent graduated, with five offenders terminating the program early because of medical problems or program noncompliance. The program is a modified therapeutic community that provides chemical dependency treatment and a variety of life-skills training to court-referred offenders. Probationers are required to attend group counseling sessions and participate in a 12-step program. In addition, they are encouraged to work toward completing a general equivalency diploma. Probationers in the sample completed the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-II, which classified 51 percent with DSM-III-R Axis I and 79 percent with Axis II disorders. The presence of these psychopathology and personality diagnoses was associated with rearrest after discharge from treatment. After controlling for socio-demographic background variables, arrest history, and substance use, the diagnoses of drug dependence and dysthymia were found to be significant risk factors for probationer rearrest following treatment. 3 tables, 1 note, and 33 references