What is it about?
This study aimed to discover which mental health factors in particular increased or decreased the likelihood of reoffending by substance dependent prisoners. We have shown for the first time that substance dependent prisoners with depressive symptoms were more likely to reoffend upon release compared to those without these symptoms and OCD symptoms decreased the likelihood for reconviction.
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Why is it important?
Few studies have assessed the effect of mental health factors on reoffending outcomes for offenders in substance dependence treatment. The results have implications for clinical settings where mental health symptoms are not addressed concurrently with substance dependence. These findings can inform policy makers and practitioners who provide substance dependence treatment in prison.
Perspectives
It is of note that this research was undertaken on a large sample of UK prisoners in substance dependence treatment, who are an understudied population. Many substance dependent prisoners have co-occurring mental health needs, yet few studies have investigated what impact these co-occurring disorders have on rates of reoffending. This study highlights that an integrative approach addressing both substance misuse and mental health factors is pivotal.
Miss Hattie C A Moyes
Rehabilitation for Addicted Prisoners Trust
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Predicting recidivism for offenders in UK substance dependence treatment: do mental health symptoms matter?, Journal of Criminal Psychology, September 2014, Emerald,
DOI: 10.1108/jcp-02-2014-0006.
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