High Rearrest Rates Research Articles

Criminal Recidivism in Inmates with Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders.

The relative contributions of mental illness and substance use disorders to criminal recidivism have important clinical and policy implications. This study reviewed 36 months of postrelease data for nearly 10,000 New Jersey state inmates released in 2013 to ascertain the rearrest rate of those diagnosed with mental illness, substance use disorders, both, or neither. We also examined whether certain characteristics suggestive of higher risk of psychiatric decompensation were associated with higher rates of rearrest. Released inmates who were diagnosed with a substance use disorder (without a mental illness) while incarcerated had the highest rate of rearrest upon release, followed by inmates diagnosed with both mental illness and substance use disorder together, inmates with neither a substance use disorder nor a mental illness, and lastly by inmates diagnosed with mental illness alone. These differences were statistically significant only between inmates with substance use disorders and those without a substance use disorder. Among those with a diagnosed mental disorder, there were no statistically significant differences in recidivism based on diagnosis or based on prescription of antipsychotic medication, injectable antipsychotic medication, or involuntary antipsychotic medication. These results support correctional institutions assertively addressing substance use disorders, especially for individuals returning to the community.

The Effects of In-Hospital Intravenous Cold Saline in Postcardiac Arrest Patients Treated with Targeted Temperature Management.

Recent data suggest that rapid infusion of intravenous (IV) cold saline for Targeted Temperature Management (TTM) after cardiac arrest is associated with higher rates of rearrest, pulmonary edema, and hypoxia, with no difference in neurologic outcomes or survival when administered by Emergency Medical Services. We sought to determine the effects of IV cold saline administration in the hospital setting in postcardiac arrest patients to achieve TTM and its effect on clinical parameters and neurologic outcomes. A cohort of 132 patients who completed TTM after cardiac arrest in a single institution was retrospectively studied. Patients who did not receive cold saline were matched by age, gender, Glasgow coma scale, downtime, and presenting rhythm to patients who received cold saline. Demographics, cardiac rearrest, diuretic use, time to target temperature, and Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) scores were recorded among other variables. Patients who received cold saline achieved target temperature sooner (280 vs. 345 minutes, p = 0.05), had lower lactate levels on day 1 (4.2 ± 3.5 mM vs. 6.0 ± 4.9 mM, p = 0.019) and day 2 (1.3 ± 2.2 mM vs. 2.2 ± 3.2 mM, p = 0.046), increased incidence of pulmonary edema (51.5% vs. 31.8%, p = 0.006), and increased diuretic utilization (63.6% vs. 42.4%, p = 0.014). There was no significant difference in cardiac rearrest, arterial oxygenation, and CPC scores (ps > 0.05). Infusion of IV cold saline is associated with shorter time to target temperature, increased incidence of pulmonary edema, and diuretic use, with no difference in cardiac rearrest, survival, and neurologic outcomes.

A three-year recidivism analysis of state correctional releases

The present study undertakes a three-year follow-up time frame of approximately 10,000 inmates released from New Jersey prisons in 2012. Consistent with the methodology set forth in federal analyses, various definitions of recidivism were utilized. Recidivism rates were consistent, and in some counts below, federal findings as well. Rearrest post-release rates were 53%, reconviction rates were 40.1% and reincarceration rates were 31.3%. Offenders released to supervision had higher rates of reincarceration, while unsupervised offenders (i.e. max-outs) had higher rates of rearrest and reconviction. Males were more likely to be rearrested than females, while younger offenders were more likely to be rearrested than older offenders. Released inmates with prior arrests, convictions, and reincarcerations maintained substantially higher odds of rearrest, as did those with a higher number of prison discipline allegations. Released inmates with a violent admission offense were rearrested the least, while those serving time on a previous community supervision violation were rearrested the most. These findings are discussed within the context the criminal justice system and the existing literature.

THE EFFECTS OF COLD INTRAVENOUS SALINE IN POST-CARDIAC ARREST PATIENTS TREATED WITH TARGET TEMPERATURE MANAGEMENT

Recent data suggests that rapid infusion of intravenous (IV) cold saline for Targeted Temperature Management (TTM) after cardiac arrest is associated with higher rates of re-arrest, pulmonary edema and hypoxia, with no difference in neurologic outcomes or survival when administered by Emergency

Sober living houses: research in northern and southern California

Background Sober living houses (SLHs) are peer-managed residences that require sobriety and household participation among residents who rent rooms on a monthly (indefinite) basis and otherwise live normal lives according to personal schedules and needs. The houses do not provide counseling or services, but regular attendance at 12-step or other types of mutual-help groups is generally required. Approximately 1000 sober living houses, members of two state-wide organizations, operate in California to serve a large and complex population. This presentation provides an overview of work conducted to date studying sober living houses in Northern and Southern California. Methods and results In a study of SLHs in Northern California, 300 residents were followed for 18 months after entry. Our research found that neighbors and key informants (e.g., criminal justice, housing and political officials) were highly supportive of SLHs. Findings showed resident improvement in a variety of areas, including drug and alcohol use, employment, psychiatric symptoms, and arrests, with improvements that were maintained over the course of the study period. Although residents on parole and probation had substance use reductions that were comparable to voluntary residents, they had far more problems maintaining employment, higher rates of re-arrest and incarceration, and lower attendance to self-help groups. An ongoing randomized clinical trial in Southern California (anticipated N = 330 residents; 50 houses) is currently examining the effectiveness of an intervention to improve access to services and reduce HIV risk among sober living house residents on parole or probation. Residents randomized to the treatment condition receive a Motivational Interviewing Case Management (MICM) intervention specifically targeted to the problems presented for each resident. The list of potential problems that MICM can address is extensive and aims to help in a variety of problem areas inclusive of: 1) adapting to the sober living house environment; 2) complying with parole and probation; 3) finding and maintaining work; 4) successfully accessing and retaining services; 5) addressing HIV risk, testing, and treatment; 6) mobilizing personal and informal resources; and 7) managing setbacks (e.g., relapse, loss of housing, loss of work). Study participants are being tracked over a 12-month time period and being assessed on criminal justice, HIV risk, and drug and alcohol outcomes. Conclusions Sober living houses play an important role in helping individuals in their recovery from substance abuse, and providing additional services in these houses (MICM) to increase access to formal services may further enhance outcomes for high-risk populations.

Rearrest and Probation Violation Outcomes Among Probationers Participating in a Jail-Based Substance-Abuse Treatment Used as an Intermediate Sanction

This study compares the characteristics of two groups of probationers ordered to jail-based substance-abuse treatment as an intermediate sanction. It further reviews rearrest and probation failure outcomes of the two groups, along with the demographic, clinical, and criminal factors associated with those outcomes. Probationers jailed for probation violations had higher rates of rearrest and probation failure in the first year after program completion compared to probationers jailed immediately after conviction. Factors associated with rearrest and probation failure varied widely between the two outcomes and between the two probation groups. This study concludes that jail-based substance-abuse treatment should be an option in a range of intermediate sanctions and treatments for selected probationers.

Integrated Primary and Behavioral Health Care in Patient-Centered Medical Homes for Jail Releasees With Mental Illness

Many jail releasees have persistent physical and mental health needs that are frequently unaddressed, leading to high rearrest rates and return to jail. This article details the potential benefits and challenges of integrated health services during transition planning and return to the community and details lessons learned from a pilot program in Houston, Texas. It examines how patient-centered medical homes, a modality supported by policy changes at the federal level, provide one means of effective transition from jail to the community that integrates behavioral health services with primary care. Evidence from the pilot program suggests that effective integrated health services for jail releasees can help divert individuals from a cycle of recidivism.

Coming Home From Jail: The Social and Health Consequences of Community Reentry for Women, Male Adolescents, and Their Families and Communities

Each year, more than 10 million people enter US jails, most returning home within a few weeks. Because jails concentrate people with infectious and chronic diseases, substance abuse, and mental health problems, and reentry policies often exacerbate these problems, the experiences of people leaving jail may contribute to health inequities in the low-income communities to which they return. Our study of the experiences in the year after release of 491 adolescent males and 476 adult women returning home from New York City jails shows that both populations have low employment rates and incomes and high rearrest rates. Few received services in jail. However, overall drug use and illegal activity declined significantly in the year after release. Postrelease employment and health insurance were associated with lower rearrest rates and drug use. Public policies on employment, drug treatment, housing, and health care often blocked successful reentry into society from jail, suggesting the need for new policies that support successful reentry into society.

High re-arrest rates among drug-impaired drivers despite zero-tolerance legislation

Background A zero-tolerance law for driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) in Sweden led to a 10-fold increase in the number of cases submitted by the police for toxicological analysis. The statutory blood–alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for driving is 0.2 mg/g (∼0.02 g%). Methods An in-house database (TOXBASE) was used to investigate re-arrests for impaired driving over 4 years (2001–2004), which comprised 36,799 cases. The age, gender, re-arrest rate of the offenders and the concentrations of ethanol and amphetamine in blood samples were evaluated. Results We found that 44% of individuals ( N = 16,277) re-offended 3.2 times on average (range 1–23 arrests). Between 85 and 89% of first-time offenders were men and there was also a male dominance among the recidivists (88–93%). The mean age of drunken drivers was ∼40 years compared with ∼35 years for driving under the influence of amphetamine, which was the drug identified in 50–60% of DUID cases, either alone or together with other licit or illicit drugs. The median BAC was 1.5 mg/g (∼0.15 g%), which suggests a dominance of heavy drinkers. The median BAC was even higher in recidivists (1.6–1.7 mg/g). The median concentration of amphetamine in blood was 1.0 mg/L in recidivists compared with 0.5 mg/L in the first-time offenders. About 14% of drunken drivers re-offended 1–10 times compared with 68% of DUID suspects, who were re-arrested 1–23 times. People with only a scheduled prescription drug in blood were re-arrested much less frequently (∼17%) compared with those taking illicit drugs (68%). Conclusions The appreciable increase in number of arrests for DUID after a zero-tolerance law might reflect a heightened enthusiasm by the police authorities armed with knowledge that a prosecution is easier to obtain. Zero-tolerance laws do not deter people from impaired driving judging by the high re-arrest rates. During the sentencing of hardcore offenders, the courts should give more consideration to the underlying substance abuse problem.

Coming Home From Jail: The Social and Health Consequences of Community Reentry for Women, Male Adolescents, and Their Families and Communities

Each year, more than 10 million people enter US jails, most returning home within a few weeks. Because jails concentrate people with infectious and chronic diseases, substance abuse, and mental health problems, and reentry policies often exacerbate these problems, the experiences of people leaving jail may contribute to health inequities in the low-income communities to which they return. Our study of the experiences in the year after release of 491 adolescent males and 476 adult women returning home from New York City jails shows that both populations have low employment rates and incomes and high rearrest rates. Few received services in jail. However, overall drug use and illegal activity declined significantly in the year after release. Postrelease employment and health insurance were associated with lower rearrest rates and drug use. Public policies on employment, drug treatment, housing, and health care often blocked successful reentry into society from jail, suggesting the need for new policies that support successful reentry into society.

Rearrest: Does HIV serostatus make a difference?

Correctional facilities have become collection and containment centres for HIV-seropositive individuals. This is due to factors that affect incarceration in general: past criminal behaviour, age and crime type. In addition, the sex trade industry, intravenous drug use and community instability are likely factors affecting this particular population. The objective of this study was to determine whether HIV-positive offenders have higher rates of rearrest than HIV-negative offenders. A sample of HIV-positive offenders ( n = 57) were seen for mental health evaluation at the King County Correctional Facility (KCCF) in Seattle Washington. They were compared to a historical sample ( n = 254) of HIV-negative individuals also from the KCCF. After three months, 50% of both samples had been rearrested. Using the log rank test in Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, statistical difference in the relative risk of rearrest occurred for the HIV-positive group (logrank = 0.03). Statistical adjustment for mental illness, age, race, ethnicity, substance abuse history and past criminal history did not affect rearrest significantly. Nonetheless, HIV-positive individuals who presented with mental health needs appeared to be significantly more vulnerable to rearrest after the first three months of release into the community.

Recidivism among drunken and drugged drivers in Norway.

The prevalence of re-arrest among drunken drivers in relation to different blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) at the time of the offences was studied. Between 38 and 50% of arrested drunk drivers were re-arrested for similar offences. The frequency of re-arrests was, however, reduced during 1992 compared with a986, but only significantly for those with a low BAC interval (60-90 mg/d). We conclude that drivers with high re-arrest rates have a careless attitude to the Road Traffic Act and require a different treatment and follow-up programme.

A high risk recognition program for adolescents in conflict with the law.

AbstractWe describe a novel high risk recognition program aimed at reducing recidivism among the heterogeneous young offender population. The program is based on cognitive-behavioural relapse prevention programs for adult sexual offenders. Young offenders identify risk factors or warning signs for various forms of offending behaviour based on their analysis of past criminal acts. They then generate strategies for coping with future recurrence of these risk factors. We consider the potential utility and applicability of such an intervention and make recommendations for researching the technique.Limitations in our ability to adequately deter and treat young offenders are reflected in high rates of rearrest among this population. Jaffe, Leschied, Sas, and Austin (1985) observed a recidivism rate, based on new charges, of 36% over one year in a Canadian sample of 576 adolescents selected to undergo court-ordered assessments as a result of the serious nature of their offenses, chronic histories of delinquency, or emotional difficulties. Among recidivists, 78% were rearrested within the first three months of follow-up. A subsequent analysis of 126 youths from the Jaffe et al. (1985) sample charged since 1984 under the existing Young Offender Act revealed an even higher rate of recidivism: 58% over one year, with 75% of recidivists rearrested within the first three months of follow-up (Leschied, Austin, & Jaffe, 1988). Similar findings of high rearrest rates, particularly within the first several months of follow-up, have been obtained using much larger samples in the U.S., with rates approaching 70% over a six-year period (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 1987 cited in Visher, Lattimore, & Linster, 1991).Meta-analyses examining the impact of rehabilitation on reoffense most often reveal recidivism rates only slightly lower among treated young offenders relative to those who are untreated (Garrett, 1985; Gottschalk, Davidson, Gensheimer, & Mayer, 1987; Whitehead & Lab, 1989). A more recent meta-analysis suggests that reoffense rates are reduced by about 50% among young offenders treated in comprehensive cognitive-behavioural treatment programs relative to youths not receiving such treatment (Andrews, Zinger, Hoge, Bonta, Gendreau, & Cullen, 1990). These more optimistic findings nonetheless suggest that a significant percentage of treated young offenders continue tobe at risk for reoffense.High rates of reoffense, particularly within the first several months of follow-up, may reflect the focus of current interventions on the short-term cessation of adolescents' offending behaviour and the relative lack of consideration of long-term maintenance of behavioural change. Recidivism can be viewed as failing to maintain behavioural changes made during a period of incarceration or treatment (George & Marlatt, 1989). Interventions directly aimed at maintaining non-offending behaviour may reduce young offender recidivism to a greater degree than reductions obtained through periods of incarceration or through traditional clinical interventions aimed only at initial behaviour change.Marlatt and Gordon (1980, 1985) developed relapse prevention (RP) as a means of maintaining therapeutic gains following substance abuse treatment. Based on behavioural and social cognitive theories of human behaviour, RP interventions foster the long-term maintenance of adaptive behaviour through improved self-management and enhanced self-efficacy. The RP approach assumes that certain personal and environmental high risk factors (e.g., negative emotional states, social pressure) and other more subtle processes (e.g., lifestyle imbalances) increase the probability of a recurrence of maladaptive behaviour. Factors which exceed a person's ability to adaptively cope with current circumstances lead to a lapse, or temporary loss of self-control. If the lapse is accompanied by self-blaming attributions, negative emotions, and a desire for immediate gratification, a relapse, or full-blown recurrence of the maladaptive behaviour, may occur. …

An Examination of an Intensive Probation for Alcohol Offenders: Five-Year Follow-Up

This study examines the effectiveness of Dougherty County, Georgia's Criminal Alcoholic Program. CAP is a five-year intensive probation program for alcohol offenders, which includes the ingestion of antabuse. Two samples were used: (1) those included in a two-year follow-up evaluation of CAP published previously in this Journal (N= 70); and (2) an independently derived sample of approximately equal size (N= 66). For both samples, high rearrest rates were documented during participants' original five-year probationary period—66% after two years and 80% after five years (N= 136). The recidivism rate for drunken driving was 40% after five years (N= 100). In toto, post-Program recidivists averaged more than five rearrests apiece. Offenses are scaled according to the National Survey of Crime Severity.