Learnings from a prison-based drug treatment program on planning for release: A qualitative study

Area of Science:

• Criminology
• Public Health
• Psychology

Background:

• Prison-based drug and alcohol group treatment programs are essential in Australia due to high rates of prior substance use among incarcerated individuals.
• Limited research, particularly qualitative, exists on the impact of these programs within Australian correctional facilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the experiences of males in Australian prisons regarding completion or discontinuation of group-based drug and alcohol treatment programs.
• To gain insights into participants' strategies for managing drug and alcohol use and reducing harm after release.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative thematic analysis of in-depth interviews.
• Inclusion of 22 male participants: 12 program completers (or near completers) and 10 who discontinued the program.

Main Results:

• Program completers demonstrated more robust plans for post-release harm reduction and abstinence, including building healthier social networks.
• Completers exhibited greater insight into offense-related factors compared to non-completers.
• Non-completers primarily relied on self-will for managing substance use, with less awareness of available support services.

Conclusions:

• Engagement with prison-based drug and alcohol programs provides valuable information for participants who complete them.
• Further controlled trials are recommended to determine if program completion correlates with improved post-release outcomes.