Randomized trial of a reentry modified therapeutic community for offenders with co-occurring disorders: Crime outcomes

• NCJ Number: 239835
• Journal: Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment Volume: 42 Issue: 3 Dated: April 2012 Pages: 247-259
• Author(s): Stanley Sacks; Michael Chaple; JoAnn Y. Sacks; Karen McKendrick; Charles M. Cleland
• Date Published: April 2012
• Length: 13 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Published online September 23, 2011.

Annotation

This article describes a randomized study to determine the effectiveness of a reentry modified therapeutic community (RMTC) for offenders with co-occurring substance use and mental disorders (co-occurring disorders or COD).

Abstract

This article describes a randomized study to determine the effectiveness of a reentry modified therapeutic community (RMTC) for offenders with co-occurring substance use and mental disorders (co-occurring disorders or COD). Men with COD, approved for community corrections placement postrelease, were recruited from nine Colorado prisons and stratified according to the type of treatment received while incarcerated (i.e., a prison modified therapeutic community [MTC] program or standard care). When released, each offender was randomly assigned either to the experimental RMTC (E-RMTC) condition (n = 71) or to the control parole supervision and case management (PSCM) condition (n = 56). An intent-to-treat analysis 12 months postprison release showed that the E-RMTC participants were significantly less likely to be reincarcerated (19% vs. 38%), with the greatest reduction in recidivism found for participants who received MTC treatment in both settings. These findings support the RMTC as a stand-alone intervention and provide initial evidence for integrated MTC programs in prison and in aftercare for offenders with COD. (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)