Substance Abuse
Substance abuse along with limited education and unemployment has been cited as the most influential factors which often interact to limit the chances for successful reintegration (Hunter et al, 2016; Keena & Simmons, 2015). Studies indicate that drug abuse among offenders is prevalent (Bender et al., 2016; Berg & Cobbina, 2016; Davis et al., 2012). Davis et al. (2012) reported that among prison inmates in the United States, 73 percent used drugs regularly prior to their incarceration. Research suggests that despite the severity of drug abuse, only a few inmates will receive intensive substance abuse treatment while incarcerated (Ray et al., 2015). For example, Bender et al. (2016) argued that 45% of state prisons and 68% of …show more content…
Support can come from family, friends, peers or programs. There is empirical evidence suggesting a strong and direct link between support and recidivism. In other words, support is positively related to recidivism. Specifically, individuals with high levels of support have lower levels of recidivism (Berg & Cobbina; 2016; Foster & Hagan, 2009; Keena and Simons, 2015; Rocheleau, 2015). Support can mean encouragement, offering to give one a ride to work, help with obtaining employment, or offering a place to live. For example, a former inmate stated “I would have never have found work without my mentor” (Keena & Simmons, …show more content…
As previously discussed, these challenges often interact and become obstacles that act to limit the chances of a successful reintegration. This has significant implications for practice, policy and research. First, to ensure successful reintegration into the community, policymakers, correctional administrations and community organizations should work together to improve strategies for reducing recidivism. Second, more resources need to be dedicated to program initiatives that emphasize prevention and substance abuse treatment. Programs that promote rehabilitation are essential to reducing recidivism, therefore, there should be an increase in the availability of specific programs created and implemented to address employment and job training, education, substance abuse treatment, psychological counseling services, cognitive behavioral therapy, mental health, transitional housing units (THUs), drug-focused therapeutic community models, and various faith-based programs (Garland & Hass, 2015). Therefore, there should provide better vocational and educational training in prison. Also, prerelease educational programs that focus on the personal and cognitive aspects of inmates should also be
Substance abuse along with limited education and unemployment has been cited as the most influential factors which often interact to limit the chances for successful reintegration (Hunter et al, 2016; Keena & Simmons, 2015). Studies indicate that drug abuse among offenders is prevalent (Bender et al., 2016; Berg & Cobbina, 2016; Davis et al., 2012). Davis et al. (2012) reported that among prison inmates in the United States, 73 percent used drugs regularly prior to their incarceration. Research suggests that despite the severity of drug abuse, only a few inmates will receive intensive substance abuse treatment while incarcerated (Ray et al., 2015). For example, Bender et al. (2016) argued that 45% of state prisons and 68% of …show more content…
Support can come from family, friends, peers or programs. There is empirical evidence suggesting a strong and direct link between support and recidivism. In other words, support is positively related to recidivism. Specifically, individuals with high levels of support have lower levels of recidivism (Berg & Cobbina; 2016; Foster & Hagan, 2009; Keena and Simons, 2015; Rocheleau, 2015). Support can mean encouragement, offering to give one a ride to work, help with obtaining employment, or offering a place to live. For example, a former inmate stated “I would have never have found work without my mentor” (Keena & Simmons, …show more content…
As previously discussed, these challenges often interact and become obstacles that act to limit the chances of a successful reintegration. This has significant implications for practice, policy and research. First, to ensure successful reintegration into the community, policymakers, correctional administrations and community organizations should work together to improve strategies for reducing recidivism. Second, more resources need to be dedicated to program initiatives that emphasize prevention and substance abuse treatment. Programs that promote rehabilitation are essential to reducing recidivism, therefore, there should be an increase in the availability of specific programs created and implemented to address employment and job training, education, substance abuse treatment, psychological counseling services, cognitive behavioral therapy, mental health, transitional housing units (THUs), drug-focused therapeutic community models, and various faith-based programs (Garland & Hass, 2015). Therefore, there should provide better vocational and educational training in prison. Also, prerelease educational programs that focus on the personal and cognitive aspects of inmates should also be