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Reentry Into the Community After Addiction Treatment Within NJ's Prison and Jails

NCJ Number
207548
Author(s)
Douglas Ziedonis; Nancy Violette
Date Published
January 2003
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This review of knowledge about the impact of addiction on an inmate's transition from prison to the community describes current approaches for addressing addiction and reentry under New Jersey's criminal justice system, identifies major obstacles to successful reintegration for inmates with substance abuse disorders, and recommends some short-term and long-term strategies for confronting these obstacles.
Abstract
Only approximately 8 to 12 percent of New Jersey inmates receive addiction treatment while incarcerated, although current estimates suggest that about 80 percent have substance-use disorders. Inmates do not receive comprehensive substance abuse evaluations; the primary assessment tool is a modified and abbreviated Addiction Severity Index (ASI), which is useful for determining addiction severity but is not a diagnostic instrument that determines the presence or absence of a substance-use disorder. For addicted parolees there are only 26 intensive parole drug program officers who are specialized in managing addiction-related issues during the reentry process. Most inmates with substance abuse histories are not transitioning to community addiction treatment programs in the community. Untreated addiction disorders compound the typical reentry obstacles of few prospects for employment, limited transportation to jobs and resources, and exposure to the aggressive marketing of drug dealers. These factors can trigger the urge for escape through substance abuse. The 12 recommendations pertain to the creation of a governor's task force on reentry into the community; improved substance abuse assessments of inmates at baseline; the development of individualized reentry plans that include substance abuse relapse prevention and addiction treatment; enhanced case-management services; increased collaboration with drug treatment, mental health, and research communities; and increased funding for substance abuse treatment during and after incarceration. 25 references