JoAnn Y. Sacks, PhD, Center for the Integration of Research & Practice, National Development & Research Institutes, 71 West 23rd St., 8th Floor, New York, NY 10010, (212) 845-4648, jysacks@mac.com

The impact of co-occurring substance and psychiatric disorders (COD) has become an increasing focus of treatment planning for women in the criminal justice system, with increasing concern regarding the need to provide gender sensitive treatment for the increasing numbers of women in prison. Current literature indicates that women with substance abuse and those with co-occurring substance use disorder and PTSD are more vulnerable to poor substance abuse and psychosocial outcomes and are resistant to engagement in treatment. This presentation will review early findings from a NIDA sponsored study of women in substance abuse treatment programs within a state prison system. It will highlight the profiles and treatment needs of the women, with a special emphasis on the prevalence and behavioral correlates of exposure to childhood trauma and abuse within this population. This information will be related to gender-specific models of treatment for women with COD in the criminal justice system. The presentation expands upon our knowledge regarding women with co-occurring disorders in the criminal justice field and advances our understanding of the relationship between childhood abuse and adult psychological and social functioning among incarcerated women with substance abuse treatment needs.

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