The Effectiveness of Early Parole to Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities on 24-Month Criminal Recidivism

Abstract

This naturalistic study involved 569 offenders who had a history of substance abuse or dependence prior to incarceration, and were subsequently approved for early parole to a community-based substance abuse treatment facility (SATF). Overall 495 offenders were paroled directly to a SATF while 74 were paroled to the community without transfer to a SATF due to prison overcrowding. Criminal history records for all 569 offenders were obtained approximately 24 months following parole. Any new conviction as a result of a new crime committed during the 24-month window following parole to the community was considered a negative outcome. Results found that 22% of offenders paroled to a substance abuse treatment facility (SATF) were convicted of a new crime compared to 34% of offenders paroled directly to the community (chi-square = 4.57, df=1, p=.03). A stepwise logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine how different factors contributed to a new conviction. Overall more prior convictions (p<.001) and lower age (p=.001) were strong significant predictors and cocaine dependence (p=.06) and parole without treatment (p=.08) were predictive of a new conviction. Additionally, offenders who completed treatment were significantly less likely to be convicted of a new crime (11.8% vs. 29%) than those who dropped out of treatment (chi-square = 11.50, df = 1, p<.01). These data suggest that early parole to a SATF could be considered as a viable means to reduce prison sentences for addicted offenders.

The Relationship Between Drug Use, Drug-related Arrests, and Chronic Pain Among Adults on Probation

“…If “at-risk” offenders who suffer from chronic pain can be identified upon intake to probation (or parole), they may be provided with referrals to publically available, comprehensive medical treatment. This provision of seamless services, including the identification and treatment of comorbid and chronic disease-related substance use problems, may influence the success of community release outcomes (Solomon & Draine, 1999; Turner, Petersilia, & Deschenes, 1992; Zanis et al, 2003). Further, the early identification of the underlying cause of drug use in criminal justice settings (including jails and prisons) may provide an opportunity to integrate care beyond treatment of a single symptom of the problem (e.g., a substance use disorder).…”

Criminal recidivism in three models of mandatory drug treatment

“…Some studies, however, still do not employ survival methods or other means of assessing the time to a recidivism event, or to account for censoring caused by follow-up periods that are often limited to 1 year and rarely extend beyond 2 years (e.g., Gottfredson, Najaka, & Kearley, 2003;Marlowe et al, 2003;Spohn et al, 2001;Van Stelle et al, 1994;Zanis et al, 2003). Researchers also have generally failed to employ controls for time at risk in the community, thus limiting analyses to the single first event during the follow-up period, despite the fact that arrest chronicityfrequent low level arrests-is comparatively common among substance abusing offenders.…”

Alternative sanctions for drug users: fruitless efforts or miracle solution?

“…For example, Zanis studied persons who were referred to treatment services via "early parole". He found that 22% of the research subjects were reconvicted within 24 months, compared to 34% of the control group (parolees who had not been referred to treatment) [17]. In a study examining treatment in prison a relatively high prevalence of recidivism was found as well.…”