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Reentry Programming for Opioid and Opiate Involved Female Offenders: Findings From a Mixed Methods Evaluation

NCJ Number
250862
Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 46 Dated: September 2016 Pages: 129-136
Author(s)
H. V. Miller; J. M. Miller; J. C. Barnes
Date Published
September 2016
Length
8 pages
Annotation
A mixed methods design that used qualitative interviews and a quasi-experimental design were used to both determine program effectiveness and explore women's narratives regarding their addiction and incarceration.
Abstract
Findings from a quasi-experimental design indicate that program participation significantly reduced recidivism, as did marital status. Qualitative interview findings suggest that the licit use of prescription opioid medication preceded heroin dependency in many cases, which resulted in related criminality. Focus group interviews also indicated that participants responded positively to programming but had variable levels of self-efficacy. The study concludes that reentry programs designed for male offenders can also reduce recidivism among female offenders. America's burgeoning heroin epidemic has the potential for significant costs for local criminal justice systems as more lower level drug offenders are sentenced to jails instead of State prisons. (Publisher abstract modified)