Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #118178

Nancy G. LaVigne, PhD, Kamala Mallik Kane, MPH, and Christy Visher, PhD. The Urban Institute, 2100 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037, 202-261-5857, kkane@ui.urban.org

Substance use is an extensive problem within the incarcerated population of the United States – the Federal Bureau of Justice Statistics estimates that 8 out of 10 inmates in State prisons have histories of drug use – and substance use plays a critical role in prisoners' successful (or unsuccessful) reintegration into society upon release. This paper provides empirical evidence about the actual experiences of male prisoners returning to Chicago, Illinois, 66 percent of whom had used some drugs in the six months before incarceration. These data come from Returning Home: Understanding the Challenges of Prisoner Reentry, a multi-state, longitudinal study examining the factors that may help or hinder reintegration, including employment, substance use, attitudes and beliefs, family support, and community context. In each study site, a representative sample of soon-to-be released prisoners was interviewed once before and several times after release. Four to eight months after release, 16 percent of the prisoners returning to Chicago reported resuming some substance use. Post-release substance use was correlated with a higher incidence of depressive symptoms and lower self-esteem. Substance use, in turn, was a significant predictor of several important reentry outcomes, including (a lack of) employment and criminal recidivism. This paper updates these preliminary findings with data from the one-year follow-up interview. While the analysis further examines predictors of post-release substance use and criminal recidivism, it also seeks to identify factors associated with post-release abstinence and success. Evidence-based recommendations for interventions will be discussed at the conclusion of the presentation.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Describe the extent of substance use among prisoners in the United States,
• Discuss the role of substance use in released prisoners' reintegration into society,
• List three correlates of post-prison substance use, and
• Brainstorm about possible evidence-based interventions to reduce post-prison substance use.

Keywords: Drug Use, Prison

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation