Working Inside for Smoking Elimination (WISE)

BACKGROUND: Tobacco use among prisoners is approximately three times that of the general population. The Rhode Island Department of Corrections has been tobacco-free since February 2003, however, nearly all inmates return to smoking as soon as they are released back into the community. OBJECTIVE: To determine if a combination of Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) will increase tobacco abstinence rates after being released from a smoke-free correctional facility. METHODS: Inmates were recruited for participation eight weeks prior to their release date and were randomized to either six sessions of MI and CBT or six weekly general wellness videos. Participation was limited to individuals who had smoked >10 cigarettes/day before incarceration and who would be able to attend follow-up visits three weeks after release. RESULTS: To date 213 participants have been recruited and 152 participants have completed the follow up. At 3 weeks post-release 23% of intervention participants vs. 9% of controls were abstinent from smoking (OR = 3.04, 95% CI 1.20-7.64). CONCLUSIONS: Incarcerated individuals, who smoked before entering a smoke-free prison who are treated with a combination of MI and CBT are more likely to remain smoke-free upon release, compared to a control group. Smoking cessation interventions targeting this high risk and underserved population are instrumental to decrease health disparities and decrease tobacco related illnesses in vulnerable populations.