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Lewis CD, Andrews C, Abraham AJ, Westlake M, Taxman FS, Grogan CM. State Medicaid Initiatives Targeting Substance Use Disorder in Criminal Legal Settings, 2021. Am J Public Health 2024; 114:527-530. [PMID: 38513172 PMCID: PMC11008297 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2024.307604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Objectives. To document state Medicaid pre- and postrelease initiatives for individuals in the criminal legal system with substance use disorder (SUD). Methods. An Internet-based survey was sent in 2021 to Medicaid directors in all 50 US states and the District of Columbia to determine whether they were pursuing initiatives for persons with SUD across 3 criminal legal settings: jails, prisons, and community corrections. A 90% response rate was obtained. Results. In 2021, the majority of states did not report any targeted Medicaid initiatives for persons with SUD residing in criminal legal settings. Eighteen states and the District of Columbia adopted at least 1 Medicaid initiative for persons with SUD across the 3 criminal legal settings. The most commonly adopted initiatives were in the areas of medication for opioid use disorder treatment and Medicaid enrollment. Out of 24 possible initiatives for each state (8 initiatives across 3 criminal legal settings), the 2 most commonly adopted were (1) provision of medication treatment of opioid use disorder before release from criminal legal settings (16 states) and (2) facilitation of Medicaid enrollment through suspension rather than termination of Medicaid enrollment upon entry to a criminal legal setting (14 states). Initiatives pertaining to Medicaid SUD care coordination were adopted by the fewest (9) states. Conclusions. In 2021, states' involvement in Medicaid SUD initiatives for criminal legal populations remained low. Increased adoption of Medicaid SUD initiatives across criminal legal settings is needed, especially knowing the high rate of overdose mortality among this group. (Am J Public Health. 2024;114(5):527-530. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2024.307604).
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Affiliation(s)
- Cashell D Lewis
- Cashell D. Lewis is with Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice, University of Chicago, IL. Christina Andrews and Melissa Westlake are with the Department of Health Services Policy and Management at Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia. Amanda J. Abraham is with the Department of Public Administration and Policy in the School of Public and International Affairs, University of Georgia, Athens. Faye S. Taxman is with the Schar School of Policy and Government and Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence!, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA. Colleen M. Grogan is with Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice and the Center for Health Administration Studies, University of Chicago
| | - Christina Andrews
- Cashell D. Lewis is with Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice, University of Chicago, IL. Christina Andrews and Melissa Westlake are with the Department of Health Services Policy and Management at Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia. Amanda J. Abraham is with the Department of Public Administration and Policy in the School of Public and International Affairs, University of Georgia, Athens. Faye S. Taxman is with the Schar School of Policy and Government and Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence!, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA. Colleen M. Grogan is with Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice and the Center for Health Administration Studies, University of Chicago
| | - Amanda J Abraham
- Cashell D. Lewis is with Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice, University of Chicago, IL. Christina Andrews and Melissa Westlake are with the Department of Health Services Policy and Management at Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia. Amanda J. Abraham is with the Department of Public Administration and Policy in the School of Public and International Affairs, University of Georgia, Athens. Faye S. Taxman is with the Schar School of Policy and Government and Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence!, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA. Colleen M. Grogan is with Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice and the Center for Health Administration Studies, University of Chicago
| | - Melissa Westlake
- Cashell D. Lewis is with Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice, University of Chicago, IL. Christina Andrews and Melissa Westlake are with the Department of Health Services Policy and Management at Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia. Amanda J. Abraham is with the Department of Public Administration and Policy in the School of Public and International Affairs, University of Georgia, Athens. Faye S. Taxman is with the Schar School of Policy and Government and Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence!, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA. Colleen M. Grogan is with Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice and the Center for Health Administration Studies, University of Chicago
| | - Faye S Taxman
- Cashell D. Lewis is with Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice, University of Chicago, IL. Christina Andrews and Melissa Westlake are with the Department of Health Services Policy and Management at Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia. Amanda J. Abraham is with the Department of Public Administration and Policy in the School of Public and International Affairs, University of Georgia, Athens. Faye S. Taxman is with the Schar School of Policy and Government and Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence!, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA. Colleen M. Grogan is with Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice and the Center for Health Administration Studies, University of Chicago
| | - Colleen M Grogan
- Cashell D. Lewis is with Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice, University of Chicago, IL. Christina Andrews and Melissa Westlake are with the Department of Health Services Policy and Management at Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia. Amanda J. Abraham is with the Department of Public Administration and Policy in the School of Public and International Affairs, University of Georgia, Athens. Faye S. Taxman is with the Schar School of Policy and Government and Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence!, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA. Colleen M. Grogan is with Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice and the Center for Health Administration Studies, University of Chicago
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Miller TR, Weinstock LM, Ahmedani BK, Carlson NN, Sperber K, Cook BL, Taxman FS, Arias SA, Kubiak S, Dearing JW, Waehrer GM, Barrett JG, Hulsey J, Johnson JE. Share of Adult Suicides After Recent Jail Release. JAMA Netw Open 2024; 7:e249965. [PMID: 38728036 PMCID: PMC11087834 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.9965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Importance Although people released from jail have an elevated suicide risk, the potentially large proportion of this population in all adult suicides is unknown. Objective To estimate what percentage of adults who died by suicide within 1 year or 2 years after jail release could be reached if the jail release triggered community suicide risk screening and prevention efforts. Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort modeling study used estimates from meta-analyses and jail census counts instead of unit record data. The cohort included all adults who were released from US jails in 2019. Data analysis and calculations were performed between June 2021 and February 2024. Main Outcomes and Measures The outcomes were percentage of total adult suicides within years 1 and 2 after jail release and associated crude mortality rates (CMRs), standardized mortality ratios (SMRs), and relative risks (RRs) of suicide in incarcerated vs not recently incarcerated adults. Taylor expansion formulas were used to calculate the variances of CMRs, SMRs, and other ratios. Random-effects restricted maximum likelihood meta-analyses were used to estimate suicide SMRs in postrelease years 1 and 2 from 10 jurisdictions. Alternate estimate was computed using the ratio of suicides after release to suicides while incarcerated. Results Included in the analysis were 2019 estimates for 7 091 897 adults (2.8% of US adult population; 76.7% males and 23.3% females) who were released from incarceration at least once, typically after brief pretrial stays. The RR of suicide was 8.95 (95% CI, 7.21-10.69) within 1 year after jail release and 6.98 (95% CI, 4.21-9.76) across 2 years after release. A total of 27.2% (95% CI, 18.0%-41.7%) of all adult suicide deaths occurred in formerly incarcerated individuals within 2 years of jail release, and 19.9% (95% CI, 16.2%-24.1%) of all adult suicides occurred within 1 year of release (males: 23.3% [95% CI, 20.8%-25.6%]; females: 24.0% [95% CI, 19.7%-36.8%]). The alternate method yielded slightly larger estimates. Another 0.8% of adult suicide deaths occurred during jail stays. Conclusions and Relevance This cohort modeling study found that adults who were released from incarceration at least once make up a large, concentrated population at greatly elevated risk for death by suicide; therefore, suicide prevention efforts focused on return to the community after jail release could reach many adults within 1 to 2 years of jail release, when suicide is likely to occur. Health systems could develop infrastructure to identify these high-risk adults and provide community-based suicide screening and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ted R. Miller
- National Capital Region Center, Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE), Beltsville, Maryland
- Curtin University School of Public Health, Beltsville, Maryland
| | - Lauren M. Weinstock
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Brian K. Ahmedani
- Center for Health Policy and Health Services Research, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Nancy N. Carlson
- School of Counseling, Walden University, Silver Spring, Maryland
| | - Kimberly Sperber
- Complex Health Solutions, Behavioral Health and Wellness, CareSource, Dayton, Ohio
| | - Benjamin Lê Cook
- Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Cambridge Health Alliance, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Faye S. Taxman
- Schar School of Policy and Government, Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia
| | - Sarah A. Arias
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
- Butler Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Sheryl Kubiak
- Center for Behavioral Health and Justice, Wayne State University School of Social Work, Detroit, Michigan
| | - James W. Dearing
- Department of Communication, Michigan State University, East Lansing
| | - Geetha M. Waehrer
- National Capital Region Center, Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE), Beltsville, Maryland
| | - James G. Barrett
- Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Cambridge Health Alliance, Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Cambridge Police Department, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | | | - Jennifer E. Johnson
- Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health, Michigan State University, East Lansing
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Johnson JE, Ramezani N, Viglione J, Hailemariam M, Taxman FS. Recommended Mental Health Practices for Individuals Interacting With U.S. Police, Court, Jail, Probation, and Parole Systems. Psychiatr Serv 2024; 75:246-257. [PMID: 37933131 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ps.20230029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Tens of millions of individuals with mental health problems interact with the U.S. criminal legal system (including 911, police, jail detention and sentences, courts, and probation and parole) each year. The authors sought to identify recommended mental health practices for criminal legal system-involved individuals and report the percentages of U.S. counties and of the U.S. population living in counties in which each recommended practice is present. METHODS Recommended practices for criminal legal-involved individuals with mental health problems were identified from meta-analyses, reviews, and best practice recommendations. Up to four respondents per county (i.e., jail, probation, community mental health, and community substance use treatment administrators) from 950 counties were asked whether each recommended practice was present for criminal legal-involved individuals. Weighted percentages of U.S. counties using recommended practices and of the U.S. population living in counties with each recommended practice are reported. RESULTS Fifty-nine recommended practices, including general mental health approaches (e.g., permanent supportive housing, Medicaid continuity) and diagnosis-specific mental health treatments (including medications and psychotherapies), were identified. Weighted data from respondents (N=791 from 519 counties) indicated that each recommended practice was present for criminal legal-involved individuals in only 21.9%-43.0% of U.S. counties. CONCLUSIONS These results inform implementation efforts by indicating the presence of recommended care practices for criminal legal-involved individuals with mental health problems in counties nationwide. Because supportive housing, access to Medicaid reactivation in jails, and psychosocial interventions for physical pain have low presence but high importance for recovery, implementation efforts might first target these approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer E Johnson
- Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health, Michigan State University, Flint (Johnson, Hailemariam); Department of Biostatistics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond (Ramezani); Department of Criminal Justice, University of Central Florida, Orlando (Viglione); Schar School of Policy and Government, Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia (Taxman)
| | - Niloofar Ramezani
- Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health, Michigan State University, Flint (Johnson, Hailemariam); Department of Biostatistics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond (Ramezani); Department of Criminal Justice, University of Central Florida, Orlando (Viglione); Schar School of Policy and Government, Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia (Taxman)
| | - Jill Viglione
- Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health, Michigan State University, Flint (Johnson, Hailemariam); Department of Biostatistics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond (Ramezani); Department of Criminal Justice, University of Central Florida, Orlando (Viglione); Schar School of Policy and Government, Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia (Taxman)
| | - Maji Hailemariam
- Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health, Michigan State University, Flint (Johnson, Hailemariam); Department of Biostatistics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond (Ramezani); Department of Criminal Justice, University of Central Florida, Orlando (Viglione); Schar School of Policy and Government, Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia (Taxman)
| | - Faye S Taxman
- Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health, Michigan State University, Flint (Johnson, Hailemariam); Department of Biostatistics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond (Ramezani); Department of Criminal Justice, University of Central Florida, Orlando (Viglione); Schar School of Policy and Government, Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia (Taxman)
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Ramezani N, Taylor BG, Balawajder EF, MacLean K, Pollack HA, Schneider JA, Taxman FS. Predictors of mental health among U.S. adults during COVID-19 early pandemic, mid- pandemic, and post-vaccine eras. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:643. [PMID: 38424510 PMCID: PMC10902933 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-17781-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A collective trauma like COVID-19 impacts individuals differently due to socio-contextual and individual characteristics. Younger adults, minorities, affiliates of certain political parties, and residents of some regions of the United States reported experiencing poorer mental health during the pandemic. Being diagnosed with COVID-19, or losing a friend/family to it, was related to more adverse mental health symptoms. While the negative impact of COVID-19 on health outcomes has been studied, mental health changes during this pandemic need further exploration. METHODS In a study of 8,612 U.S. households, using three surveys collected from a nationally representative panel between May 2020 and October 2021, using a repeated cross-sectional design, a linear mixed effect regression model was performed to investigate factors associated with the mental health status, based on the Mental Health Inventory-5, of individuals throughout different phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, and whether an improvement over time, especially after vaccines became available, was observed. RESULTS An overall improvement in mental health was observed after vaccines became available. Individuals with no COVID-related death in their household, those not wearing masks, those identifying as members of the Republican Party, race/ethnicities other than Asian, men, older adults, and residents of the South were less likely than others to report mental health challenges. CONCLUSIONS Our results highlight the need for widespread mental health interventions and health promotion to address challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Due to the worse mental health observed among Asians, younger adults, women, low-income families, those with a higher level of concern for COVID-19, people who lost someone to COVID-19, and/or individuals with histories of opioid use disorder and criminal legal involvement, over the period of this study, targeted attention needs to be given to the mental health of these groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niloofar Ramezani
- Department of Biostatistics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Box 980032, One Capital Square, 830 East Main St, Richmond, VA, 23219, USA.
| | - Bruce G Taylor
- NORC at the University of Chicago, Public Health Department, 4350 East West Highway, 8th floor, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Elizabeth Flanagan Balawajder
- NORC at the University of Chicago, Public Health Department, 4350 East West Highway, 8th floor, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Kai MacLean
- NORC at the University of Chicago, Public Health Department, 4350 East West Highway, 8th floor, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Harold A Pollack
- Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice, Department of Public Health Sciences, Urban Health Lab, University of Chicago, 969 E 60th St, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - John A Schneider
- Department of Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice, University of Chicago, 5841 South Maryland Avenue MC 5065, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Faye S Taxman
- Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University, 3351 Fairfax Drive Van Metre Hall, Arlington, VA, 22201, USA
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Zhao X, Hingle A, Shaw CC, Murphy A, Riddick BR, Davidson Mhonde RR, Taylor BG, Lamuda PA, Pollack HA, Schneider JA, Taxman FS. Endorsement of COVID-19 misinformation among criminal legal involved individuals in the United States: Prevalence and relationship with information sources. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0296752. [PMID: 38181012 PMCID: PMC10769018 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Criminal legal system involvement (CLI) is a critical social determinant of health that lies at the intersection of multiple sources of health disparities. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbates many of these disparities, and specific vulnerabilities faced by the CLI population. This study investigated the prevalence of COVID-19-related misinformation, as well as its relationship with COVID-19 information sources used among Americans experiencing CLI. A nationally representative sample of American adults aged 18+ (N = 1,161), including a subsample of CLI individuals (n = 168), were surveyed in February-March 2021. On a 10-item test, CLI participants endorsed a greater number of misinformation statements (M = 1.88 vs. 1.27) than non-CLI participants, p < .001. CLI participants reported less use of government and scientific sources (p = .017) and less use of personal sources (p = .003) for COVID-19 information than non-CLI participants. Poisson models showed that use of government and scientific sources was negatively associated with misinformation endorsement for non-CLI participants (IRR = .841, p < .001), but not for CLI participants (IRR = .957, p = .619). These findings suggest that building and leveraging trust in important information sources are critical to the containment and mitigation of COVID-19-related misinformation in the CLI population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoquan Zhao
- Department of Communication, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Aayushi Hingle
- Department of ELAP, Linguistics, & Communication Studies, Montgomery College, Takoma Park, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Cameron C. Shaw
- Schar School of Public Policy, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Amy Murphy
- Schar School of Public Policy, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Breonna R. Riddick
- Department of Communication, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, United States of America
| | | | - Bruce G. Taylor
- NORC at the University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Phoebe A. Lamuda
- NORC at the University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Harold A. Pollack
- Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - John A. Schneider
- Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Faye S. Taxman
- Schar School of Public Policy, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, United States of America
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Arias SA, Sperber K, Jones R, Taxman FS, Miller TR, Zylberfuden S, Weinstock LM, Brown GK, Ahmedani B, Johnson JE. Managed care updates of subscriber jail release to prompt community suicide prevention: clinical trial protocol. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:1265. [PMID: 37974126 PMCID: PMC10655488 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-10249-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent jail detention is a marker for trait and state suicide risk in community-based populations. However, healthcare providers are typically unaware that their client was in jail and few post-release suicide prevention efforts exist. This protocol paper describes an effectiveness-implementation trial evaluating community suicide prevention practices triggered by advances in informatics that alert CareSource, a large managed care organization (MCO), when a subscriber is released from jail. METHODS This randomized controlled trial investigates two evidence-based suicide prevention practices triggered by CareSource's jail detention/release notifications, in a partial factorial design. The first phase randomizes ~ 43,000 CareSource subscribers who pass through any Ohio jail to receive Caring Contact letters sent by CareSource or to Usual Care after jail release. The second phase (running simultaneously) involves a subset of ~ 6,000 of the 43,000 subscribers passing through jail who have been seen in one of 12 contracted behavioral health agencies in the 6 months prior to incarceration in a stepped-wedge design. Agencies will receive: (a) notifications of the client's jail detention/release, (b) instructions for re-engaging these clients, and (c) training in suicide risk assessment and the Safety Planning Intervention for use at re-engagement. We will track suicide-related and service linkage outcomes 6 months following jail release using claims data. CONCLUSIONS This design allows us to rigorously test two intervention main effects and their interaction. It also provides valuable information on the effects of system-level change and the scalability of interventions using big data from a MCO to flag jail release and suicide risk. TRIAL REGISTRATION The trial is registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05579600). Registered 27 June, 2023.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A Arias
- Butler Hospital, Providence, RI, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University, Butler Hospital, 345 Blackstone Blvd., Providence, RI, 02906, USA.
| | | | - Richard Jones
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University, Butler Hospital, 345 Blackstone Blvd., Providence, RI, 02906, USA
| | - Faye S Taxman
- Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence!, George Mason University, Arlington, VA, USA
| | - Ted R Miller
- Pacific Institute for Research & Evaluation, Beltsville, MI, USA
- Curtin University School of Public Health, Perth, Australia
| | | | - Lauren M Weinstock
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University, Butler Hospital, 345 Blackstone Blvd., Providence, RI, 02906, USA
| | - Gregory K Brown
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Brian Ahmedani
- Department of Psychiatry, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Jennifer E Johnson
- Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health, Michigan State University, Flint, MI, USA
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Zhao X, Horoszko UA, Murphy A, Taylor BG, Lamuda PA, Pollack HA, Schneider JA, Taxman FS. Openness to change among COVID misinformation endorsers: Associations with social demographic characteristics and information source usage. Soc Sci Med 2023; 335:116233. [PMID: 37716186 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.116233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Misinformation is a major concern for public health, with its presence and impact strongly felt in the COVID-19 pandemic. Misinformation correction has drawn strong research interest. In contrast, relatively little attention has been given to the likelihood of favorable behavioral change post correction (i.e., openness to change). OBJECTIVE This study seeks to identify the characteristics of COVID misinformation endorsers who are open to adopt more self-protective behaviors after misinformation correction. METHODS COVID misinformation endorsers (N = 1991) in a large, nationally representative survey (fielded in October and November 2021) were asked how likely they would adopt self-protective behaviors if a source they trusted debunked their prior misperceptions. Multiple linear regression estimated the relationships between openness to change and socio-demographics, health-related factors, and health information source usage patterns. RESULTS Less than half of the misinformation endorsers in the sample (41.3%) indicated any openness to change. Openness to change was positively associated with minority status and negatively associated with leaning Republican in political affiliation, higher income, being currently unvaccinated or unsure about vaccination status, better health, and a greater number of misinformation items endorsed. Past-month use of government, community, and personal sources for health information positively predicted openness. The use of online media was negatively associated with openness. CONCLUSIONS Openness to change is not guaranteed after misinformation correction. Targeted interventions based on openness to change are needed to enhance the public health impact of misinformation correction efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoquan Zhao
- Department of Communication, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA.
| | | | - Amy Murphy
- Schar School of Public Policy, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
| | | | | | - Harold A Pollack
- Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - John A Schneider
- Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Faye S Taxman
- Schar School of Public Policy, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
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Arias SA, Sperber K, Jones R, Taxman FS, Miller TR, Zylberfuden S, Weinstock LM, Brown GK, Ahmedani B, Johnson JE. Managed Care Updates of Subscriber Jail Release to Prompt Community Suicide Prevention: Clinical Trial Protocol. Res Sq 2023:rs.3.rs-3350204. [PMID: 37841869 PMCID: PMC10571633 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3350204/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Background Recent jail detention is a marker for trait and state suicide risk in community-based populations. However, healthcare providers are typically unaware that their client was in jail and few post-release suicide prevention efforts exist. This protocol paper describes an effectiveness-implementation trial evaluating community suicide prevention practices triggered by advances in informatics that alert CareSource, a large managed care organization (MCO), when a subscriber is released from jail. Methods This randomized controlled trial investigates two evidence-based suicide prevention practices triggered by CareSource's jail detention/release notifications, in a partial factorial design. The first phase randomizes ~43,000 CareSource subscribers who pass through any Ohio jail to receive Caring Contact letters sent by CareSource or to Usual Care after jail release. The second phase (running simultaneously) involves a subset of ~6,000 of the 43,000 subscribers passing through jail who have been seen in one of 12 contracted behavioral health agencies in the 6 months prior to incarceration in a stepped-wedge design. Agencies will receive: (a) notifications of the client's jail detention/release, (b) instructions for re-engaging these clients, and (c) training in suicide risk assessment and the Safety Planning Intervention for use at re-engagement. We will track suicide-related and service linkage outcomes 6 months following jail release using claims data. Conclusions This design allows us to rigorously test two intervention main effects and their interaction. It also provides valuable information on the effects of system-level change and the scalability of interventions using big data from a MCO to flag jail release and suicide risk. Trial Registration The trial is registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05579600). Registered 27 June, 2023, https://beta.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05579600?cond=Suicide&term=Managed%20Care&rank=1.
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Breno A, Ramezani N, Guastaferro W, Cummings A, Murphy A, Taxman FS. What Matters More in Explaining Drug Court Graduation and Rearrest: Program Features, Individual Characteristics, or Some Combination. Int J Offender Ther Comp Criminol 2023; 67:1211-1229. [PMID: 35450474 DOI: 10.1177/0306624x221086558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
This study examines the program- and individual-level factors that impact the success of drug court clients in terms of: (1) graduation; and (2) not being arrested while participating in the court program. The data consist of 848 individuals in nine drug courts. This paper discusses how different individual- and program-level factors impact the success of drug court participants. The findings suggest that individual- and program-level factors are both important in predicting program graduation and arrest during drug court participation, while controlling for participant demographics. Clients' education, drug/alcohol usage, program staffing, and clinical standards impact program graduation while criminal history, drug/alcohol usage, number of program hours offered, program staffing, and use of rewards and sanctions predict in-program arrest. Models combining both program- and individual-level factors performed better than either alone, leading to recommendations that agencies should emphasize improving program quality while targeting clients' needs to achieve greater success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Breno
- George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Amy Murphy
- George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
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10
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Elkington KS, Wasserman GA, Ryan ME, Sichel CE, Sarapas C, Dennis ML, Taxman FS. E-Connect: Linking probation youth at risk for suicide to behavioral health services. J Consult Clin Psychol 2023; 91:547-557. [PMID: 37261738 PMCID: PMC10526689 DOI: 10.1037/ccp0000824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Youth involved in the justice system (YIJ) have higher rates of suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STB) and associated behavioral health (BH) problems, yet lower levels of service use compared to youth in the general population. This study examined the efficacy of e-Connect, a digital clinical decision support system (CDSS), at improving STB risk identification, referral, and linkage to BH services by probation officers. As the intervention spanned pre- and post-COVID-19 shutdown periods, we also examined the disruption in public agencies' service provision on study outcomes. METHOD Administrative record data (1,488 youth, ages 10-18 years, 56% male, 56% White) allowed examination of differences between care-as-usual (baseline) and e-Connect in screening, identification of STB and BH problems, referral, and treatment initiation. RESULTS Compared to care-as-usual, probation officers using e-Connect were over five times as likely to identify YIJ with STB (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 5.86; 95% confidence interval, CI [3.24, 11.7]) and over 11 times more likely to refer YIJ in need of BH services to treatment (aOR = 11.04; 95% CI [6.54, 19.43]). In turn, youth referred to treatment via e-Connect were nearly 17 times more likely to initiate (aOR = 16.92; 95% CI [9.17, 32.60]). Results remained unchanged during the pre- and post-COVID-19 shutdown periods. CONCLUSION e-Connect is one of the first digital STB screening, referral, and linkage-to-service systems that use CDSS technology to successfully assist probation officers in linking youth on their caseload to treatment. Such an approach may support identification of STB and cross-systems linkage in other youth-serving organizations, such as schools, that increasingly manage youth BH problems with minimal clinical support. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Faye S Taxman
- Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University
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11
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Smith LR, Faragó F, Blue T, Witte JC, Gordon MS, Taxman FS. Viewing Then Doing?: Problem-Solving Court Coordinators' Perceptions of Medications for Opioid Use Disorders from a Nationally Representative Survey in the United States. Subst Use Misuse 2023; 58:1780-1788. [PMID: 37595101 PMCID: PMC10538407 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2023.2247076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
Background. Overdose deaths in the United States (U.S.) surpassed 100,000 in 2021. Problem-solving courts (PSCs), which originally began as drug courts, divert people with nonviolent felonies and underlying social issues (e.g. opioid use disorders (OUDs)) from the carceral system to a community-based treatment court program. PSCs are operated by a collaborative court staff team including a judge that supervises PSC clients, local court coordinators that manage PSC operations, among other staff. Based on staff recommendations, medications for opioid use disorders (MOUDs) can be integrated into court clients' treatment plans. MOUDs are an evidence-based treatment option. However, MOUDs remain widely underutilized within criminal justice settings partially due to negative perceptions of MOUDs held by staff. Objective. PSCs are an understudied justice setting where MOUD usage would be beneficial. This study sought to understand how court coordinators' perceptions and attitudes about MOUDs influenced their uptake and utilization in PSCs. Methods. A nationally representative survey of 849 local and 42 state PSC coordinators in the U.S. was conducted to understand how coordinators' perceptions influenced MOUD utilization. Results. Generally, court coordinators hold positive views of MOUDs, especially naltrexone. While state and local coordinators' views do not differ greatly, their stronger attitudes align with different aspects of and issues in PSCs such as medication diversion (i.e. misuse). Conclusions. This study has implications for PSCs and their staff, treatment providers, and other community supervision staff (e.g. probation/parole officers, court staff) who can promote and encourage the use of MOUDs by clients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay R. Smith
- Department of Criminology, Law and Society, George Mason University
| | - Fanni Faragó
- Department of Sociology & Anthropology, George Mason University
| | | | - James C. Witte
- Department of Sociology & Anthropology, George Mason University
| | | | - Faye S. Taxman
- Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University
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12
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Ramezani N, Hailemariam M, Breno AJ, Mackey BJ, Cuellar AE, Johnson JE, Taxman FS. Impact of County-level health infrastructure on participation in a reform effort to reduce the use of jail for individuals with mental health disorders. Health Justice 2023; 11:27. [PMID: 37401987 DOI: 10.1186/s40352-023-00226-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The national Stepping Up Initiative has attracted over 500 counties interested in reducing the use of jail for individuals with mental health disorders. This paper identifies socioeconomic, criminal legal, and health care factors that predict the likelihood of counties joining Stepping Up. RESULTS After performing variable selection, logistic regression models were performed on 3,141 U.S. counties. Counties designated as medically underserved and/or mental health staffing shortage areas were less likely to participate in this initiative. Logistic regression models showed that larger counties (populations over 250,000) with better health care infrastructure, more mental health providers per capita, higher percent of Medicaid funded drug treatment services, and at least one medical school, were more likely to join Stepping Up. These counties had lower per capita jail populations, higher concentration of police resources, and higher pretrial incarceration rate. CONCLUSIONS County-level health care delivery factors are major contributors to a county's likelihood, or willingness, of engaging in Stepping Up reform efforts to reduce jail population with mental health disorders issues. Therefore, improving availability and accessibility of medical and behavioral health care in different communities, may facilitate efforts to address the unnecessary incarceration of individuals with mental health disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niloofar Ramezani
- Department of Biostatistics, Virginia Commonwealth University, 830 East Main Street, PO Box 980032, Richmond, VA, 23298-0032, USA.
| | - Maji Hailemariam
- Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Flint, MI, USA
| | - Alex J Breno
- Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence, Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
| | - Benjamin J Mackey
- Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence, Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
| | - Alison Evans Cuellar
- Department of Health Administration and Policy, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
| | - Jennifer E Johnson
- Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Flint, MI, USA
| | - Faye S Taxman
- Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence, Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
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13
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Smith LR, Faragó F, Witte JC, Blue T, Gordon MS, Taxman FS. Pandemic Procedures: Adapting Problem-Solving Court (PSC) Operations and Treatment Protocols During COVID-19. J Drug Issues 2023; 53:490-498. [PMID: 38603347 PMCID: PMC9554564 DOI: 10.1177/00220426221133037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
With an ongoing pandemic claiming hundreds of lives a day, it is unclear how COVID-19 has affected court operations, particularly problem-solving courts (PSCs) which have goals rooted in rehabilitation for participants in their programs. Even with practical recommendations from national organizations directing courts on how to manage COVID-19, whether and how PSCs met the needs of PSC participants during this time is underexplored. This study, drawn from a larger national study using a survey of PSC coordinators, examines the COVID-19 responses of PSCs to remain safely operational for participants. A sub-sample of survey respondents (n = 82 PSC coordinators) detailed how the COVID-19 pandemic led to changes to their court and treatment operations amidst the constraints of the pandemic. The courts' shifts in policy and practice have important impacts for court participants' treatment retention and success in the PSC program, and these shifts need more in-depth research in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay R. Smith
- Department of Criminology, Law and
Society, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
| | - Fanni Faragó
- Department of Sociology and
Anthropology, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
| | - James C. Witte
- Department of Sociology and
Anthropology, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
| | - Thomas Blue
- Friends Research
Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Faye S. Taxman
- Schar School of Policy and
Government, George Mason University, Arlington, VA, USA
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14
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Pollack HA, Schneider JA, Taxman FS. An Inclusive Approach to Addiction Care-Helping the Helpers. JAMA Health Forum 2023; 4:e230981. [PMID: 37204802 DOI: 10.1001/jamahealthforum.2023.0981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
This Viewpoint discusses the idea of helping the helpers, those who are supporters or caregivers to individuals with substance use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harold A Pollack
- Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - John A Schneider
- Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Faye S Taxman
- Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University, Arlington, Virginia
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15
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Debus-Sherrill S, Breno A, Taxman FS. What Makes or Breaks Evidence-Based Supervision? Staff and Organizational Predictors of Evidence-Based Practice in Probation. Int J Offender Ther Comp Criminol 2023; 67:662-686. [PMID: 34605306 DOI: 10.1177/0306624x211049182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Research on staff and organizational factors that affect receptivity, adoption, feasibility, and utilization of innovations in justice settings is limited. This study uses survey data from 349 employees in one probation agency to assess how staff and perceived organizational factors influence attitudes related to evidence-based practices (EBPs) and their self-reported use. Staff characteristics, including education and knowledge about EBPs, and perceptions of the organization, including cynicism about the organization's ability to change, predicted EBP outcomes. Staff age, tenure at the agency, and caseload size affected perceptions of organizational culture, but did not predict attitudes or use of EBPs. There is weak evidence for a relationship between self-reported use of EBPs with attitudinal support for EBPs, prior EBP training, and knowledge of EBPs. This study contributes to an emerging body of literature about the impact of various individual and organizational factors on support for EBPs with important lessons for implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alex Breno
- George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
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16
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Wilde JA, Zawislak K, Sawyer-Morris G, Hulsey J, Molfenter T, Taxman FS. The adoption and sustainability of digital therapeutics in justice systems: A pilot feasibility study. Int J Drug Policy 2023; 116:104024. [PMID: 37086698 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study explored whether participants with substance use disorder (SUD) would adopt and use a smart-phone app with a cognitive behavioral therapy program, weekly Brief Addiction Monitor (BAM) assessments, daily check-ins, tools to track sobriety and treatment, and other patient-centered resources. In addition, participants with SUD could access a social worker and peer support specialists. METHODS The study sought participants from two groups: those referred by a justice-related agency and participants who responded to outreach from the Addiction Policy Forum (APF). The Connections smart-phone app was offered to both groups. The study examined use of the app and social worker/peer recovery support services by participants who downloaded and used the app; those referred by a justice-related agency and those who self-referred through APF. The app provided primary data, including socio-demographics, referral status, dates of use, activities completed, and BAM scores. RESULTS The app was offered to 1973 participants, 40% of whom downloaded it. Three groups emerged from among the 350 who used the app: those who used only the cognitive behavioral aspects of the app, those who used only the recovery support services offered, and those who used both the app and recovery support services. Looking at the two referral groups, the justice-referred group preferred telehealth recovery support services with the social worker; the self-referred group used the app and the app plus the recovery support services equally. Scores on the BAM improved across time. Justice-referred participants' protective behaviors improved more than those of the self-referred participants while self-referred participants' risk behaviors improved more than those of justice-referred participants. Older participants were more likely to use the app, and to report fewer risky behaviors, as measured by the BAM. CONCLUSIONS Use of a digital therapeutic appears to support recovery of participants with SUD although many clients need and want the integration of social worker-driven recovery support services. Basically, the app can be an extension to personal services, but many people with SUD (particularly during COVID-19) crave human interaction. It also appears that those who seek assistance on their own, rather than being referred by a justice-related agency, may be more likely to benefit from digital therapeutics such as the Connections app.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith A Wilde
- Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University, Van Metre Hall, Fifth Floor, 3351 Fairfax Drive, MS 3B1, Arlington, VA 22201, United States.
| | - Kayla Zawislak
- Addiction Policy Forum, 4701 Sangamore Rd, Suite 100N, Bethesda, MD 20816, United States.
| | - Ginnie Sawyer-Morris
- Addiction Policy Forum, 4701 Sangamore Rd, Suite 100N, Bethesda, MD 20816, United States.
| | - Jessica Hulsey
- Addiction Policy Forum, 4701 Sangamore Rd, Suite 100N, Bethesda, MD 20816, United States.
| | - Todd Molfenter
- College of Engineering, University of Wisconsin, 1513 University Ave., 4103 Mechanical Engineering Building, Madison, WI 53706, United States.
| | - Faye S Taxman
- Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University, Van Metre Hall, Fifth Floor, 3351 Fairfax Drive, MS 3B1, Arlington, VA 22201, United States.
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17
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Farago F, Blue TR, Smith LR, Witte JC, Gordon M, Taxman FS. Medication-Assisted Treatment in Problem-solving Courts: A National Survey of State and Local Court Coordinators. J Drug Issues 2023; 53:296-320. [PMID: 38179102 PMCID: PMC10766435 DOI: 10.1177/00220426221109948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Problem-solving courts (PSCs) are a critical part of a societal effort to mitigate the opioid epidemic's devastating consequences. This paper reports on a national survey of PSCs (N = 42 state-wide court coordinators; N = 849 local court coordinators) and examines the structural factors that could explain the likelihood of a local PSC authorizing medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and MAT utilization. Results of the analyses indicate that MAT availability at the county level was a significant predictor of the likelihood of local courts authorizing MAT. The court's location in a Medicaid expansion state was also a significant predictor of local courts allowing buprenorphine and methadone, but not naltrexone. Problem-solving courts are in the early stages of supporting the use of medications, even when funding is available through Medicaid expansion policies. Adoption and use of treatment innovations like MAT are affected by coordinators' perceptions of MAT as well as structural factors such as the availability of the medications in the community and funding resources. The study has important implications for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanni Farago
- Department of Sociology and Anthropology, George Mason
University, Fairfax, VA, USA
| | | | - Lindsay Renee Smith
- Schar School of Policy and Government, Center for Advancing
Correctional Excellence, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
| | - James C. Witte
- Department of Sociology and Anthropology, George Mason
University, Fairfax, VA, USA
| | | | - Faye S. Taxman
- Schar School of Policy and Government, Center for Advancing
Correctional Excellence, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
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18
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Pivovarova E, Taxman FS, Boland AK, Smelson DA, Lemon SC, Friedmann PD. Facilitators and barriers to collaboration between drug courts and community-based medication for opioid use disorder providers. J Subst Use Addict Treat 2023; 147:208950. [PMID: 36804347 DOI: 10.1016/j.josat.2022.208950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) is limited for individuals in drug courts - programs that leverage sanctions for mandatory substance use treatment. Drug courts rely on community agencies to provide MOUD. However, relationships with MOUD agencies, which impact access to treatment, are understudied. We examined barriers and facilitators from drug court staffs' perspectives to understand how to enhance collaborations with MOUD providers. METHODS Drug court staff (n = 21) from seven courts participated in semi-structured interviews about their experience in collaborating with MOUD providers. Interviews were informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Inductive (theory-based) and deductive (ground-up) approaches were used for analyses. RESULTS Facilitator and barrier themes centered around the needs and resources of drug court participants, external policies such MOUD access in jails, networking with external agencies, and beliefs about MOUD providers. Drug court staff preferred working with agencies that offered MOUD alongside comprehensive services. Drug courts benefited when jails offered MOUD in-house and facilitated community referrals. Existing relationships with providers and responsive communication eased referrals and served to educate the courts about MOUD. Barriers included logistical limitations (limited hours, few methadone providers) and inadequate communication patterns between providers and drug court staff. A lack of confidence in providers' prescribing practices and concerns around perceived overmedication of participants impacted referrals, interagency collaboration, and further burdened the participants. CONCLUSIONS Collaboration between drug courts and MOUD providers was driven by patient needs, external policies, communication patterns, and perceptions. Interventions to increase access MOUD for drug court participants will need to incorporate collaboration strategies while considering the unique features of drug courts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina Pivovarova
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
| | - Faye S Taxman
- Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA.
| | - Alexandra K Boland
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
| | - David A Smelson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
| | - Stephenie C Lemon
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
| | - Peter D Friedmann
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA; Baystate Health, Springfield, MA, USA.
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19
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Ingel SN, Davis LR, Rudes DS, Taxman FS, Hartwell TN, Drazdowski TK, McCart MR, Chapman JE, Sheidow AJ. JUVENILE PROBATION OFFICER PERCEPTIONS OF PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN JUVENILE PROBATION AND WITH CONTINGENCY MANAGEMENT. Crim Justice Behav 2023; 50:40-55. [PMID: 37006381 PMCID: PMC10061577 DOI: 10.1177/00938548221106468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Probation is a common sanction for youth substance users, and as such, juvenile probation officers (JPOs) shoulder much of the burden for treatment and rehabilitation. To improve youth outcomes and alleviate some of the burden, JPOs may seek parental involvement in the probation and substance use desistance processes. Using focus group data, we analyzed JPO perceptions of the role parents play in contingency management (CM)-an incentive system designed to produce and reward decreased substance use-and whether they perceived any value in CM. We found that most JPOs perceived parental involvement as critical to the success of both substance use treatment and CM for youth. Our findings also suggest JPOs found parental involvement in CM valuable given that CM was employed on nonstudy clients and future clients. This has implications for the practicality and sustainability of CM as a youth probation intervention.
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20
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Acharya A, Izquierdo AM, Gonçalves SF, Bates RA, Taxman FS, Slawski MP, Rangwala HS, Sikdar S. Exploring county-level spatio-temporal patterns in opioid overdose related emergency department visits. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0269509. [PMID: 36584000 PMCID: PMC9803238 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0269509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Opioid overdoses within the United States continue to rise and have been negatively impacting the social and economic status of the country. In order to effectively allocate resources and identify policy solutions to reduce the number of overdoses, it is important to understand the geographical differences in opioid overdose rates and their causes. In this study, we utilized data on emergency department opioid overdose (EDOOD) visits to explore the county-level spatio-temporal distribution of opioid overdose rates within the state of Virginia and their association with aggregate socio-ecological factors. The analyses were performed using a combination of techniques including Moran's I and multilevel modeling. Using data from 2016-2021, we found that Virginia counties had notable differences in their EDOOD visit rates with significant neighborhood-level associations: many counties in the southwestern region were consistently identified as the hotspots (areas with a higher concentration of EDOOD visits) whereas many counties in the northern region were consistently identified as the coldspots (areas with a lower concentration of EDOOD visits). In most Virginia counties, EDOOD visit rates declined from 2017 to 2018. In more recent years (since 2019), the visit rates showed an increasing trend. The multilevel modeling revealed that the change in clinical care factors (i.e., access to care and quality of care) and socio-economic factors (i.e., levels of education, employment, income, family and social support, and community safety) were significantly associated with the change in the EDOOD visit rates. The findings from this study have the potential to assist policymakers in proper resource planning thereby improving health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angeela Acharya
- Department of Computer Science, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Alyssa M. Izquierdo
- Clinical Psychology, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, United States of America
| | | | - Rebecca A. Bates
- School of Nursing, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, United States of America
| | - Faye S. Taxman
- Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, United States of America
| | - Martin P. Slawski
- Department of Statistics, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, United States of America
| | - Huzefa S. Rangwala
- Department of Computer Science, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, United States of America
| | - Siddhartha Sikdar
- Department of Bioengineering, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, United States of America
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21
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Zaller ND, Gorvine MM, Ross J, Mitchell SG, Taxman FS, Farabee D. Providing substance use disorder treatment in correctional settings: knowledge gaps and proposed research priorities-overview and commentary. Addict Sci Clin Pract 2022; 17:69. [PMID: 36482490 PMCID: PMC9733039 DOI: 10.1186/s13722-022-00351-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This manuscript is the product of the authors' discussions, literature overview, and consultation with experts in the field, and identifies important gaps in the evidence base for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment effectiveness within criminal justice (CJ) settings. Lacking from the extant literature are longitudinal investigations of treatment related outcomes during and after incarceration. Such studies could provide rich contextual data about treatment delivery and effectiveness across the CJ continuum, and would provide important insight into individual characteristics (e.g., motivation, treatment modality preferences, treatment completion rates, etc.) as well as institutional and environmental factors (e.g., appropriate staffing, space limitations for individual treatment sessions, distribution of medications, etc.). We also identified the importance of reproducibility within CJ research, and the unfortunate reality of too many single studies conducted in single (or relatively few) correctional facilities. Some of this has been because the studies designed to produce that evidence are not prioritized for funding, which has continually placed researchers in a position where we cannot make firm conclusions or recommendations based on available evidence. The importance of replicating the foundational studies in this field cannot be overstated. We hope this article spurs other researchers to join in the healthy process of questioning the existing state of the CJ-based SUD treatment research, what should be re-examined, and how we can lay a stronger foundation for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nickolas D Zaller
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Public Health, Little Rock, AR, USA.
| | - Margaret M Gorvine
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Public Health, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Jon Ross
- TASC, Inc. (Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities), Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Faye S Taxman
- George Mason University, Schar School of Policy and Government, Fairfax, VA, USA
| | - David Farabee
- New York University, School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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Davidson Mhonde R, Riddick B, Hingle A, Shaw C, Rudes D, Pollack H, Schneider J, Zhao X, Taxman FS. "I Just Don't Know What to Believe": Sensemaking during the COVID-19 Pandemic among Criminal Legal Involved Communities. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19:15045. [PMID: 36429763 PMCID: PMC9690514 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192215045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, those involved with the criminal legal system experience disproportionate vulnerability to infection, transmission, and mortality, facing additional systemic barriers due to criminal legal involvement (CLI) (e.g., prior incarcerations or probationary status affecting employability or housing security). We use Weick's (1979) model of sensemaking as a theoretical framework to inform our examination of CLI individuals' experiences during the pandemic. The primary objective of this paper is to explore the process of sensemaking amid misinformation, trust/mistrust, and vulnerability during the pandemic among CLI communities in three central states (Illinois, Louisiana, and Arkansas). We conducted seven online focus groups (n = 44), between December 2020 and January 2021, from the targeted communities about their awareness of misinformation, trusted or distrusted sources, attitudes about COVID-19 health behaviors (including testing, protective behaviors such as mask-wearing and social distancing, and vaccination), and experiences with the criminal legal system during the pandemic. The concept of equivocality was at the core of the narratives shared among participants, with uncertainty emerging as a meta-theme across all focus groups. The findings of this study should prove useful for those who are developing messaging to combat mis/disinformation and overcome mis/distrust with the medical system and government institutions among those who are disenfranchised.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Breonna Riddick
- Department of Communication, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
| | - Aayushi Hingle
- Department of Communication, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
| | - Cameron Shaw
- Schar School of Policy and Government, Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
| | - Danielle Rudes
- College of Criminal Justice Huntsville, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX 77341, USA
| | - Harold Pollack
- Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy and Practice, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - John Schneider
- Departments of Medicine and Public Health Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Xiaoquan Zhao
- Department of Communication, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
| | - Faye S. Taxman
- Schar School of Policy and Government, Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
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Thomas EG, Spittal MJ, Taxman FS, Puljević C, Heffernan EB, Kinner SA. Association between contact with mental health and substance use services and reincarceration after release from prison. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0272870. [PMID: 36070251 PMCID: PMC9451082 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective People released from prison who experience mental health and substance use problems are at high risk of reincarceration. This study aimed to examine the association between contact with mental health and substance use treatment services, and reincarceration, among adults released from prison. Methods Pre-release survey data from 1,115 adults released from prisons in Queensland, Australia were linked with administrative health and correctional records covering a median of 787 days post-release. We constructed marginal structural Cox proportional hazards models, adjusting for pre-release variables and time-varying indicators of emergent mental health and substance use problems, to examine the association between contact with mental health and substance use treatment services, and reincarceration. Results The adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) for reincarceration associated with mental health service contact was 1.76 (95%CI 1.23,2.51). Among those not on parole following release, the AHR for reincarceration associated with substance use treatment service contact was 3.16 (95%CI 2.09,4.77); we found no evidence for an association among those who were released on parole (AHR = 1.07; 95%CI 0.80,1.43). Conclusions Although we cannot eliminate the possibility of residual confounding, our findings suggest that infrequent or unsustained contact with community-based mental health and substance use treatment services is not protective against reincarceration, and may even be iatrogenic. Increased investment in high-quality and timely behavioural health services for people released from prison may simultaneously improve health outcomes, and reduce reincarceration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma G. Thomas
- RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, California, United States of America
| | - Matthew J. Spittal
- Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Faye S. Taxman
- Criminology, Law & Society, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Cheneal Puljević
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Centre for Health Services Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Edward B. Heffernan
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Queensland Forensic Mental Health Service, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Stuart A. Kinner
- Justice Health Unit, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Centre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
- Griffith Criminology Institute, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia
- * E-mail:
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Ramezani N, Breno AJ, Mackey BJ, Viglione J, Cuellar AE, Johnson JE, Taxman FS. The relationship between community public health, behavioral health service accessibility, and mass incarceration. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:966. [PMID: 35906627 PMCID: PMC9336014 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08306-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The relationship between healthcare service accessibility in the community and incarceration is an important, yet not widely understood, phenomenon. Community behavioral health and the criminal legal systems are treated separately, which creates a competing demand to confront mass incarceration and expand available services. As a result, the relationship between behavioral health services, demographics and community factors, and incarceration rate has not been well addressed. Understanding potential drivers of incarceration, including access to community-based services, is necessary to reduce entry into the legal system and decrease recidivism. This study identifies county-level demographic, socioeconomic, healthcare services availability/accessibility, and criminal legal characteristics that predict per capita jail population across the U.S. More than 10 million individuals pass through U.S. jails each year, increasing the urgency of addressing this challenge. Methods The selection of variables for our model proceeded in stages. The study commenced by identifying potential descriptors and then using machine learning techniques to select non-collinear variables to predict county jail population per capita. Beta regression was then applied to nationally available data from all 3,141 U.S. counties to identify factors predicting county jail population size. Data sources include the Vera Institute’s incarceration database, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s County Health Rankings and Roadmaps, Uniform Crime Report, and the U.S. Census. Results Fewer per capita psychiatrists (z-score = -2.16; p = .031), lower percent of drug treatment paid by Medicaid (-3.66; p < .001), higher per capita healthcare costs (5.71; p < .001), higher number of physically unhealthy days in a month (8.6; p < .001), lower high school graduation rate (-4.05; p < .001), smaller county size (-2.66, p = .008; -2.71, p = .007; medium and large versus small counties, respectively), and more police officers per capita (8.74; p < .001) were associated with higher per capita jail population. Controlling for other factors, violent crime rate did not predict incarceration rate. Conclusions Counties with smaller populations, larger percentages of individuals that did not graduate high school, that have more health-related issues, and provide fewer community treatment services are more likely to have higher jail population per capita. Increasing access to services, including mental health providers, and improving the affordability of drug treatment and healthcare may help reduce incarceration rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niloofar Ramezani
- Department of Statistics, School of Computing, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA, MS 4A7, USA.
| | - Alex J Breno
- Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence, Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
| | - Benjamin J Mackey
- Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence, Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
| | - Jill Viglione
- Department of Criminal Justice, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Alison Evans Cuellar
- Department of Health Administration and Policy, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
| | | | - Faye S Taxman
- Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence, Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
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Ramezani N, Bhati A, Murphy A, Routh D, Taxman FS. Correction: Assessing the reliability and validity of the Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) program tool. Health Justice 2022; 10:20. [PMID: 35796845 PMCID: PMC9264611 DOI: 10.1186/s40352-022-00186-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Niloofar Ramezani
- Department of Statistics, School of Computing, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, MS 4A7, Fairfax, VA, 22030, USA.
| | - Avi Bhati
- Maxarth, LLC, North Potomac, MD, USA
| | - Amy Murphy
- Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University, Arlington, VA, 22201, USA
| | | | - Faye S Taxman
- Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University, Arlington, VA, 22201, USA
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26
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Ramezani N, Bhati A, Murphy A, Routh D, Taxman FS. Assessing the reliability and validity of the Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) program tool. Health Justice 2022; 10:19. [PMID: 35676601 PMCID: PMC9178799 DOI: 10.1186/s40352-022-00182-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fidelity assessment tools can assess whether a program embraces a core set of principles and performs well. A quality fidelity tool with valid scales can be a feedback loop to identify areas that need further work to improve the program. Using data collected from 1816 correctional and reentry programs in the United States in the construction sample and 761 programs in the confirmation sample, this study examined the internal consistency of the Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) Program Tool, an online resource to capture information about structural features of a program. RESULTS The study reports on reliability statistics and factor analyses to highlight individual subscales. Six scales emerged and had acceptable to excellent levels of internal consistency. These scales are staffing, reward-and-sanction, clinical standards for programs, coaching, program duration, and risk-need assessment. CONCLUSIONS This article discusses fidelity scales from the RNR Program Tool and provides guidance on the importance of tool development processes to ensure accurate, valid, and reliable scales. The purpose of the RNR Program Tool is to create a modern, online tool integrating both the empirical (research) literature on effective practices and clinical standards on quality programming. This process minimizes the need for consultants by giving program administrators the ability to gather information on their programs, score them, and receive instant and targeted feedback with recommendations for improvement to assess their programs against empirical standards in the field. Furthermore, it provides a standardized tool that administrators can use to examine what type of individuals fare better in their programs. The provided targeted feedback can give the programs the ability to seek technical assistance or guidance in specific areas that can strategically strengthen their program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niloofar Ramezani
- Department of Statistics, School of Computing, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, MS 4A7, Fairfax, VA, 22030, USA.
| | - Avi Bhati
- Maxarth, LLC, North Potomac, MD, USA
| | - Amy Murphy
- Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University, Arlington, VA, 22201, USA
| | | | - Faye S Taxman
- Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University, Arlington, VA, 22201, USA
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Cuellar AE, Ramezani N, Breno A, Johnson JE, Taxman FS. Drivers of County Engagement in Criminal Justice-Behavioral Health Initiatives. Psychiatr Serv 2022; 73:709-711. [PMID: 34644126 PMCID: PMC9005561 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ps.202100485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Several large, county-level initiatives are underway to improve behavioral health care for justice-involved clients. Unfortunately, only about a quarter of counties participate in these efforts, leaving justice-involved populations at risk of poor mental health, substance use, and judicial outcomes. This study examined characteristics of 2,922 U.S. counties and county equivalents by whether they participated in these initiatives and found that crime and socioeconomic characteristics were not associated with participation. Participating counties had significantly more robust mental health and substance use care delivery systems. Nonparticipating counties may lack the expertise and basic delivery system prerequisites needed for participation in most national initiatives, further driving geographic disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison E Cuellar
- Department of Health Administration and Policy (Cuellar), Department of Statistics (Ramezani), and Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence (Breno, Taxman), George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia; Division of Public Health, Michigan State University, Flint (Johnson). Steven S. Sharfstein, M.D., Haiden A. Huskamp, Ph.D., and Dr. Cuellar are editors of this column
| | - Niloofar Ramezani
- Department of Health Administration and Policy (Cuellar), Department of Statistics (Ramezani), and Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence (Breno, Taxman), George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia; Division of Public Health, Michigan State University, Flint (Johnson). Steven S. Sharfstein, M.D., Haiden A. Huskamp, Ph.D., and Dr. Cuellar are editors of this column
| | - Alex Breno
- Department of Health Administration and Policy (Cuellar), Department of Statistics (Ramezani), and Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence (Breno, Taxman), George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia; Division of Public Health, Michigan State University, Flint (Johnson). Steven S. Sharfstein, M.D., Haiden A. Huskamp, Ph.D., and Dr. Cuellar are editors of this column
| | - Jennifer E Johnson
- Department of Health Administration and Policy (Cuellar), Department of Statistics (Ramezani), and Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence (Breno, Taxman), George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia; Division of Public Health, Michigan State University, Flint (Johnson). Steven S. Sharfstein, M.D., Haiden A. Huskamp, Ph.D., and Dr. Cuellar are editors of this column
| | - Faye S Taxman
- Department of Health Administration and Policy (Cuellar), Department of Statistics (Ramezani), and Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence (Breno, Taxman), George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia; Division of Public Health, Michigan State University, Flint (Johnson). Steven S. Sharfstein, M.D., Haiden A. Huskamp, Ph.D., and Dr. Cuellar are editors of this column
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28
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Zhao X, Toronjo H, Shaw CC, Murphy A, Taxman FS. Perceived communication effectiveness in implementation strategies: a measurement scale. Implement Sci Commun 2022; 3:38. [PMID: 35395790 PMCID: PMC8991666 DOI: 10.1186/s43058-022-00284-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Communication-based activities and products (i.e., training programs, webinars) are a critical component of implementation strategies that relay information to various audiences. Audience perceptions of communication effectiveness contribute important insight into the processes and mechanisms through which an implementation effort may succeed or fail. To advance research on this front, a psychometrically sound instrument for measuring perceived communication effectiveness (PCE) is needed. METHODS An expert panel identified the theoretical foundations and conceptual domains of PCE and drafted preliminary items. Five focus groups of correctional professionals who had recently completed an implementation leadership training reviewed the items and provided feedback for refinement. Revised items were then included in a survey-based evaluation of an ongoing eLearning curriculum designed to improve the practices used by front-line probation officers in supervising individuals in the field. The factorial structure of a final 6-item scale as well as its convergent, divergent, and predictive validity was evaluated using data from the evaluation surveys (Nfollow-up = 358, Nbaseline+follow-up = 159). RESULTS Confirmatory factor analysis of the final scale of PCE demonstrated adequate fit. PCE was strongly correlated with measures of implementation outcomes (acceptability, r = .819, p < .001; appropriateness, r = .809, p < .001; and feasibility, r = .754, p < .001), yet uncorrelated with a scale of need to evaluate (r = - .051, p = .422), demonstrating both convergent and divergent validities. The predictive validity of PCE was evidenced by significant associations between PCE and key training outcomes, including perceived staff use of evidence-based practices (β = .230, p < .05), agency climate (β = .261, p < .05), and value concordance (β = .209, p < .05), after controlling for baseline values and other confounders. CONCLUSIONS The PCE scale is psychometrically sound and can be a useful tool for gauging audience receptivity to and the potential impact of communication-based implementation activities and products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoquan Zhao
- Department of Communication, George Mason University, 3D6, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA, 22030, USA.
| | - Heather Toronjo
- Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence, Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University, Arlington, USA
| | - Cameron C Shaw
- Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence, Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University, Arlington, USA
| | - Amy Murphy
- Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence, Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University, Arlington, USA
| | - Faye S Taxman
- Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence, Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University, Arlington, USA
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Carswell SB, Gordon MS, Gryczynski J, Taxman FS, Schadegg M, Ferguson KN, Maher K. Continuing Care App for Probationers and Parolees with Substance use Disorders. J Drug Educ 2022; 51:32-48. [PMID: 35832032 DOI: 10.1177/00472379221111541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
This pilot proof-of-concept study examined the feasibility and acceptability of a Continuing Care mobile application (app) designed to meet the recovery and personal support needs of individuals under justice supervision who were receiving outpatient substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. The study included adults on probation or parole who were enrolled in an outpatient SUD treatment program (N = 15; 86.7% males). Participants were instructed to utilize the Continuing Care app daily for 4 weeks. At the end of the study, they completed a satisfaction questionnaire. Of the 15 participants enrolled in the study, 12 (80%) completed the Continuing Care app modules and the satisfaction questionnaire, and all of these participants indicated high levels of satisfaction with the app (on a scale of 1-10, Mean = 1.8, SD = 1.2). The Continuing Care app was well-utilized and perceived as valuable by this group of low-income, underserved, and hard-to-reach individuals. Further research is needed to refine app content and evaluate its ability to meaningfully enhance and extend the benefits of SUD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Mary Schadegg
- 8083The University of Mississippi, University, MS, USA
| | | | - Kelly Maher
- 215392Friends Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Taylor LR, Bhati A, Taxman FS. Preliminary Examination of the Impact of Program Factors on Summary Effect Sizes. Int J Offender Ther Comp Criminol 2021; 65:1629-1652. [PMID: 34628957 DOI: 10.1177/0306624x20964064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The Washington State Institute for Public Policy (WSIPP) uses meta-analyses to help program administrators identify effective programs that reduce recidivism. The results are displayed as summary effect sizes. Yet, many programs are grouped within a category (such as Intensive Supervision or Correctional Education), even though the features of the programs might suggest they may be very different. The following research question was examined: What program features are related to the effect size in the WSIPP program category? Researchers at ACE! at George Mason University reviewed the studies analyzed by WSIPP and their effect sizes. The meta-regression global models showed recidivism decreased with certain program features, while other program features actually increased recidivism. A multivariate meta-regression showed substantial variation across Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy programs. These preliminary findings suggest the need to further research how differing program features contribute to client-level outcomes, and develop a scheme to better classify programs.
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Rudes DS, Portillo S, Taxman FS. The Legitimacy of Change: Adopting/Adapting, Implementing and Sustaining Reforms within Community Corrections Agencies. Br J Criminol 2021; 61:1665-1683. [PMID: 34690542 PMCID: PMC8522977 DOI: 10.1093/bjc/azab020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Many criminal justice institutions implement evidence-based reforms. While most scholars are aware of implementation challenges, we still know relatively little about sustainability. Using longitudinal data from criminal legal staff implementing an evidence-based reform, this paper considers: What happens during the implementation of an organizational reform that affects continued use of these reforms? Guided by an organizational change framework, findings suggest sustainability aligns with key organizational goals including legitimacy, efficiency and effectiveness. While all sites saw the reformed practices as legitimate enough to initially consider adoption, two sites never adopted, four sites toyed with reform, and two sites continued to use the reform after the study was over. This paper explores sustainability and identifies legitimacy as an important factor that affects the routinization of new practices. Transformation of organizational change initiatives into routine practices should consider efforts to build legitimacy in lieu of primarily rationalizing on the values of efficiency and effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle S Rudes
- Criminology, Law & Society, Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence (ACE!), Schar School of Policy & Government, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
| | - Shannon Portillo
- School of Public Administration, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Faye S Taxman
- Schar School of Policy & Government, Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence (ACE!), George Mason University, Arlington, VA, USA
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Ingel SN, Davis LR, Rudes DS, Hartwell TN, Drazdowski TK, McCart MR, Chapman JE, Taxman FS, Sheidow AJ. Misunderstanding and Sensemaking Among Juvenile Probation Officers Working with Evidence-Based Practices. Vict Offender 2021; 17:975-993. [PMID: 36582620 PMCID: PMC9793856 DOI: 10.1080/15564886.2021.1985670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Evidence-based practices and programs (EBPs) have been adopted in juvenile probation agencies nationwide to maximize the number of successful probation cases. However, various pragmatic studies have found that JPOs are not yielding the expected benefits when compared to efficacy studies (Lipsey et al., 2010; Taxman & Belenko, 2011). Using focus group and survey data, the current study sought to increase our understanding of the gap between pragmatic and efficacy studies in juvenile probation settings by examining JPOs' perceptions and utilization of EBPs. The findings suggest that JPOs are misunderstanding how to use EBPs in daily practice, leaving them with negative perceptions of EBPs. Implications for improving JPO understanding and use of EBPs are discussed.
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Wasserman GA, McReynolds LS, Taxman FS, Belenko S, Elkington KS, Robertson AA, Dennis ML, Knight DK, Knudsen HK, Dembo R, Ciarleglio A, Wiley TRA. The Missing Link(age): Multilevel Contributors to Service Uptake Failure Among Youths on Community Justice Supervision. Psychiatr Serv 2021; 72:546-554. [PMID: 33765861 PMCID: PMC8288447 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ps.202000163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Youths in the juvenile justice system often do not access needed behavioral health services. The behavioral health services cascade model was used to examine rates of substance use screening, identification of substance use treatment needs, and referral to and initiation of treatment among youths undergoing juvenile justice system intake and to identify when treatment access is most challenged. Characteristics associated with identification of behavioral health needs and linkage to community services were also examined. METHODS Data were drawn from administrative records of 33 community justice agencies in seven states participating in Juvenile Justice-Translational Research on Interventions for Adolescents in the Legal System, funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (N=8,307 youths). Contributions of youth, staff, agency, and county characteristics to identification of behavioral health needs and linkage to community services were examined. RESULTS More than 70% (5,942 of 8,307) of youths were screened for substance use problems, and more than half needed treatment. Among those in need, only about one-fifth were referred to treatment, and among those referred, 67.5% initiated treatment. Overall, <10% of youths with identified needs initiated services. Multivariable multilevel regression analyses revealed several contributors to service-related outcomes, with youths' level of supervision being among the strongest predictors of treatment referral. CONCLUSIONS Community justice agencies appear to follow an approach that focuses identification and linkage practices on concerns other than youths' behavioral health needs, although such needs contribute to reoffending. Local agencies should coordinate efforts to support interagency communication in the referral and cross-system linkage process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gail A Wasserman
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York City (Wasserman, McReynolds, Elkington); Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia (Taxman); Department of Criminal Justice, Temple University, Philadelphia, (Belenko); Social Science Research Center, Mississippi State University, Starkville (Robertson); Lighthouse Institute, Chestnut Health Systems, Normal, Illinois (Dennis); Department of Psychology, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth (Knight); Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington (Knudsen); Department of Criminology, University of South Florida, Tampa (Dembo); Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, George Washington University, Washington, D.C. (Ciarleglio); National Institute on Drug Abuse, Bethesda, Maryland (Wiley)
| | - Larkin S McReynolds
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York City (Wasserman, McReynolds, Elkington); Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia (Taxman); Department of Criminal Justice, Temple University, Philadelphia, (Belenko); Social Science Research Center, Mississippi State University, Starkville (Robertson); Lighthouse Institute, Chestnut Health Systems, Normal, Illinois (Dennis); Department of Psychology, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth (Knight); Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington (Knudsen); Department of Criminology, University of South Florida, Tampa (Dembo); Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, George Washington University, Washington, D.C. (Ciarleglio); National Institute on Drug Abuse, Bethesda, Maryland (Wiley)
| | - Faye S Taxman
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York City (Wasserman, McReynolds, Elkington); Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia (Taxman); Department of Criminal Justice, Temple University, Philadelphia, (Belenko); Social Science Research Center, Mississippi State University, Starkville (Robertson); Lighthouse Institute, Chestnut Health Systems, Normal, Illinois (Dennis); Department of Psychology, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth (Knight); Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington (Knudsen); Department of Criminology, University of South Florida, Tampa (Dembo); Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, George Washington University, Washington, D.C. (Ciarleglio); National Institute on Drug Abuse, Bethesda, Maryland (Wiley)
| | - Steven Belenko
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York City (Wasserman, McReynolds, Elkington); Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia (Taxman); Department of Criminal Justice, Temple University, Philadelphia, (Belenko); Social Science Research Center, Mississippi State University, Starkville (Robertson); Lighthouse Institute, Chestnut Health Systems, Normal, Illinois (Dennis); Department of Psychology, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth (Knight); Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington (Knudsen); Department of Criminology, University of South Florida, Tampa (Dembo); Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, George Washington University, Washington, D.C. (Ciarleglio); National Institute on Drug Abuse, Bethesda, Maryland (Wiley)
| | - Katherine S Elkington
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York City (Wasserman, McReynolds, Elkington); Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia (Taxman); Department of Criminal Justice, Temple University, Philadelphia, (Belenko); Social Science Research Center, Mississippi State University, Starkville (Robertson); Lighthouse Institute, Chestnut Health Systems, Normal, Illinois (Dennis); Department of Psychology, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth (Knight); Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington (Knudsen); Department of Criminology, University of South Florida, Tampa (Dembo); Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, George Washington University, Washington, D.C. (Ciarleglio); National Institute on Drug Abuse, Bethesda, Maryland (Wiley)
| | - Angela A Robertson
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York City (Wasserman, McReynolds, Elkington); Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia (Taxman); Department of Criminal Justice, Temple University, Philadelphia, (Belenko); Social Science Research Center, Mississippi State University, Starkville (Robertson); Lighthouse Institute, Chestnut Health Systems, Normal, Illinois (Dennis); Department of Psychology, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth (Knight); Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington (Knudsen); Department of Criminology, University of South Florida, Tampa (Dembo); Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, George Washington University, Washington, D.C. (Ciarleglio); National Institute on Drug Abuse, Bethesda, Maryland (Wiley)
| | - Michael L Dennis
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York City (Wasserman, McReynolds, Elkington); Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia (Taxman); Department of Criminal Justice, Temple University, Philadelphia, (Belenko); Social Science Research Center, Mississippi State University, Starkville (Robertson); Lighthouse Institute, Chestnut Health Systems, Normal, Illinois (Dennis); Department of Psychology, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth (Knight); Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington (Knudsen); Department of Criminology, University of South Florida, Tampa (Dembo); Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, George Washington University, Washington, D.C. (Ciarleglio); National Institute on Drug Abuse, Bethesda, Maryland (Wiley)
| | - Danica K Knight
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York City (Wasserman, McReynolds, Elkington); Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia (Taxman); Department of Criminal Justice, Temple University, Philadelphia, (Belenko); Social Science Research Center, Mississippi State University, Starkville (Robertson); Lighthouse Institute, Chestnut Health Systems, Normal, Illinois (Dennis); Department of Psychology, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth (Knight); Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington (Knudsen); Department of Criminology, University of South Florida, Tampa (Dembo); Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, George Washington University, Washington, D.C. (Ciarleglio); National Institute on Drug Abuse, Bethesda, Maryland (Wiley)
| | - Hannah K Knudsen
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York City (Wasserman, McReynolds, Elkington); Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia (Taxman); Department of Criminal Justice, Temple University, Philadelphia, (Belenko); Social Science Research Center, Mississippi State University, Starkville (Robertson); Lighthouse Institute, Chestnut Health Systems, Normal, Illinois (Dennis); Department of Psychology, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth (Knight); Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington (Knudsen); Department of Criminology, University of South Florida, Tampa (Dembo); Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, George Washington University, Washington, D.C. (Ciarleglio); National Institute on Drug Abuse, Bethesda, Maryland (Wiley)
| | - Richard Dembo
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York City (Wasserman, McReynolds, Elkington); Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia (Taxman); Department of Criminal Justice, Temple University, Philadelphia, (Belenko); Social Science Research Center, Mississippi State University, Starkville (Robertson); Lighthouse Institute, Chestnut Health Systems, Normal, Illinois (Dennis); Department of Psychology, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth (Knight); Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington (Knudsen); Department of Criminology, University of South Florida, Tampa (Dembo); Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, George Washington University, Washington, D.C. (Ciarleglio); National Institute on Drug Abuse, Bethesda, Maryland (Wiley)
| | - Adam Ciarleglio
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York City (Wasserman, McReynolds, Elkington); Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia (Taxman); Department of Criminal Justice, Temple University, Philadelphia, (Belenko); Social Science Research Center, Mississippi State University, Starkville (Robertson); Lighthouse Institute, Chestnut Health Systems, Normal, Illinois (Dennis); Department of Psychology, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth (Knight); Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington (Knudsen); Department of Criminology, University of South Florida, Tampa (Dembo); Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, George Washington University, Washington, D.C. (Ciarleglio); National Institute on Drug Abuse, Bethesda, Maryland (Wiley)
| | - Tisha R A Wiley
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York City (Wasserman, McReynolds, Elkington); Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia (Taxman); Department of Criminal Justice, Temple University, Philadelphia, (Belenko); Social Science Research Center, Mississippi State University, Starkville (Robertson); Lighthouse Institute, Chestnut Health Systems, Normal, Illinois (Dennis); Department of Psychology, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth (Knight); Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington (Knudsen); Department of Criminology, University of South Florida, Tampa (Dembo); Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, George Washington University, Washington, D.C. (Ciarleglio); National Institute on Drug Abuse, Bethesda, Maryland (Wiley)
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Johnson JE, Viglione J, Ramezani N, Cuellar AE, Hailemariam M, Rosen R, Breno A, Taxman FS. Protocol for a quasi-experimental, 950 county study examining implementation outcomes and mechanisms of Stepping Up, a national policy effort to improve mental health and substance use services for justice-involved individuals. Implement Sci 2021; 16:31. [PMID: 33781294 PMCID: PMC8006626 DOI: 10.1186/s13012-021-01095-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The criminal justice system is the largest provider of mental health services in the USA. Many jurisdictions are interested in reducing the use of the justice system for mental health problems. The national Stepping Up Initiative helps agencies within counties work together more effectively to reduce the number of individuals with mental illness in jails and to improve access to mental health services in the community. This study will compare Stepping Up counties to matched comparison counties over time to (1) examine the effectiveness of Stepping Up and (2) test hypothesized implementation mechanisms to inform multi-agency implementation efforts more broadly. METHODS The study will survey 950 counties at baseline, 18 months, and 36 months in a quasi-experimental design comparing implementation mechanisms and outcomes between 475 Stepping Up counties and 475 matched comparison counties. Surveys will be sent to up to four respondents per county including administrators of jail, probation, community mental health services, and community substance use treatment services (3800 total respondents). We will examine whether Stepping Up counties show faster improvements in implementation outcomes (number of justice-involved clients receiving behavioral health services, number of behavioral health evidence-based practices and policies [EBPPs] available to justice-involved individuals, and resources for behavioral health EBPP for justice-involved individuals) than do matched comparison counties. We will also evaluate whether engagement of hypothesized mechanisms explains differences in implementation outcomes. Implementation target mechanisms include (1) use of and capacity for performance monitoring, (2) use and functioning of interagency teams, (3) common goals and mission across agencies, and (4) system integration (i.e., building an integrated system of care rather than adding one program or training). Finally, we will characterize implementation processes and critical incidents using survey responses and qualitative interviews. DISCUSSION There are few rigorous, prospective studies examining implementation mechanisms and their relationship with behavioral health implementation outcomes in justice and associated community behavioral health settings. There is also limited understanding of implementation mechanisms that occur across systems with multiple goals. This study will describe implementation outcomes of Stepping Up and will elucidate target mechanisms that are effective in multi-goal, multi-agency systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer E. Johnson
- Division of Public Health, Michigan State University, 200 East 1st St Room 366, Flint, MI 48502 USA
| | - Jill Viglione
- Department of Criminal Justice, University of Central Florida, 12805 Pegasus Drive, Orlando, FL 32816 USA
| | - Niloofar Ramezani
- Department of Statistics, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, MS 4A7, Fairfax, VA 22030 USA
| | - Alison E. Cuellar
- Department of Health Administration and Policy, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030 USA
| | - Maji Hailemariam
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Michigan State University, 965 Wilson Road, A631B, East Lansing, MI 48824 USA
| | - Rochelle Rosen
- Center for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, The Miriam Hospital, Providence, RI USA
| | - Alex Breno
- Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030 USA
| | - Faye S. Taxman
- Schar School of Policy & Government, Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030 USA
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Evans EA, Stopka TJ, Pivovarova E, Murphy SM, Taxman FS, Ferguson WJ, Bernson D, Santelices C, McCollister KE, Hoskinson R, Lincoln T, Friedmann PD. Massachusetts Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network (MassJCOIN). J Subst Abuse Treat 2021; 128:108275. [PMID: 33483222 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2021.108275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
A major driver of the U.S. opioid crisis is limited access to effective medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) that reduce overdose risks. Traditionally, jails and prisons in the U.S. have not initiated or maintained MOUD for incarcerated individuals with OUD prior to their return to the community, which places them at high risk for fatal overdose. A 2018 law (Chapter 208) made Massachusetts (MA) the first state to mandate that five county jails deliver all FDA-approved MOUDs (naltrexone [NTX], buprenorphine [BUP], and methadone). Chapter 208 established a 4-year pilot program to expand access to all FDA-approved forms of MOUD at five jails, with two more MA jails voluntarily joining this initiative. The law stipulates that MOUD be continued for individuals receiving it prior to detention and be initiated prior to release among sentenced individuals where appropriate. The jails must also facilitate continuation of MOUD in the community on release. The Massachusetts Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network (MassJCOIN) partnered with these seven diverse jails, the MA Department of Public Health, and community treatment providers to conduct a Type 1 hybrid effectiveness-implementation study of Chapter 208. We will: (1) Perform a longitudinal treatment outcome study among incarcerated individuals with OUD who receive NTX, BUP, methadone, or no MOUD in jail to examine postrelease MOUD initiation, engagement, and retention, as well as fatal and nonfatal opioid overdose and recidivism; (2) Conduct an implementation study to understand systemic and contextual factors that facilitate and impede delivery of MOUDs in jail and community care coordination, and strategies that optimize MOUD delivery in jail and for coordinating care with community partners; (3) Calculate the cost to the correctional system of implementing MOUD in jail, and conduct an economic evaluation from state policy-maker and societal perspectives to compare the value of MOUD prior to release from jail to no MOUD among matched controls. MassJCOIN made significant progress during its first six months until the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020. Participating jail sites restricted access for nonessential personnel, established other COVID-19 mitigation policies, and modified MOUD programming. MassJCOIN adapted research activities to this new reality in an effort to document and account for the impacts of COVID-19 in relation to each aim. The goal remains to produce findings with direct implications for policy and practice for OUD in criminal justice settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Evans
- Department of Health Promotion and Policy, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 312 Arnold House, 715 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01003, United States of America.
| | - Thomas J Stopka
- Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111, United States of America
| | - Ekaterina Pivovarova
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical School and Massachusetts Center of Excellence for Specialty Courts, Worcester, MA, United States of America; Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, MA 01655, United States of America
| | - Sean M Murphy
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medical College, 425 East 61st Street, Suite 301, New York, NY, United States of America.
| | - Faye S Taxman
- Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence, George Mason University, 4087 University Drive, 4100, MSN6D3, Fairfax, VA 22030, United States of America
| | - Warren J Ferguson
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, MA 01655, United States of America.
| | - Dana Bernson
- Massachusetts Department of Public Health, 250 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02108, United States of America
| | - Claudia Santelices
- Urban Health Research and Practice, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Kathryn E McCollister
- Soffer Clinical Research Center, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1120 NW 14(th) Street, Suite 1019, Miami, FL 33136, United States of America.
| | - Randall Hoskinson
- University of Massachusetts Medical School - Baystate, Springfield, MA, United States of America
| | - Thomas Lincoln
- University of Massachusetts Medical School - Baystate, Springfield, MA, United States of America
| | - Peter D Friedmann
- University of Massachusetts Medical School - Baystate, Springfield, MA, United States of America.
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Rudes DS, Viglione J, Sheidow AJ, McCart MR, Chapman JE, Taxman FS. Juvenile probation officers' perceptions on youth substance use varies from task-shifting to family-based contingency management. J Subst Abuse Treat 2020; 120:108144. [PMID: 33298307 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2020.108144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The majority of justice-involved youth have problems with substance use, but juvenile justice agencies face numerous barriers to providing evidence-based treatments for these youth. Task-shifting is one strategy for increasing access to such treatments. That is, training juvenile probation officers (JPOs) to deliver substance use treatments, such as contingency management (CM) could improve youths' motivation and behavioral outcomes. However, probation traditionally emphasizes sanctions over incentives, so JPOs must alter their perspectives to accept protocols such as CM for substance use. Using mixed focus group and survey methods at baseline and one year later, this randomized study examined heretofore unstudied JPO perceptions during a task-shifting experiment in which JPOs were asked to start delivering CM for youth substance use, compared to a control group of JPOs who did not change their practices. At baseline, JPOs expressed a perception of hopelessness about their work with substance-using youth and their parents, but they generally held positive views toward use of tangible incentives. One year after randomization to participate in CM training and delivery, JPO perceptions changed positively about working with youth and their parents, substance use programs and resources, and whether they believed tangible incentive programs were worthwhile. Over the same time, there was a perceptual stasis in hopelessness for JPOs randomized to deliver probation services as usual, and there was degradation in their previously positive perception toward tangible incentives. The study advances thinking regarding tools that JPOs can use for working with youth and families and the role that task-shifting can play in both increasing access to evidence-based treatments and improving attitudinal outcomes of JPOs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle S Rudes
- George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Research Hall, Suite 450, MS# 6D3, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA.
| | - Jill Viglione
- University of Central Florida,12494 University Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32816, USA.
| | - Ashli J Sheidow
- Oregon Social Learning Center, 10 Shelton McMurphey Boulevard, Eugene, OR 97401, USA.
| | - Michael R McCart
- Oregon Social Learning Center, 10 Shelton McMurphey Boulevard, Eugene, OR 97401, USA.
| | - Jason E Chapman
- Oregon Social Learning Center, 10 Shelton McMurphey Boulevard, Eugene, OR 97401, USA.
| | - Faye S Taxman
- George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Research Hall, Suite 450, MS# 6D3, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA.
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Rossheim ME, Lerch JA, Walters ST, Livingston MD, Taxman FS. Supersized Alcopop Consumption Associated With Homelessness and Gang Membership. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2020; 44:2373-2378. [PMID: 33090525 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Supersized alcopops are single-serving, ready-to-drink beverages with very high alcohol content. Research suggests that consumption of these products is especially dangerous. The current study was one of the first to examine individual-level characteristics associated with recent consumption of supersized alcopops. METHODS Adults on probation (n = 253; 70% male) in Baltimore City, MD, and Dallas, TX, who reported heavy drinking or any illicit drug use completed interviews. Psychosocial scales were drawn from the Criminal Justice Client Evaluation of Self and Treatment Intake. Bivariate analyses were conducted to examine characteristics associated with past 30-day consumption of supersized alcopops. RESULTS Past 30-day consumption of supersized alcopops was significantly associated with higher scores for hostility and risk-taking, and lower scores on the self-esteem scale compared to nonconsumers. Recent consumption of supersized alcopops was also significantly associated with past 30-day homelessness and current gang affiliation. Among those who did not experience homelessness, 11% consumed supersized alcopops, compared to 30% of those who experienced homelessness. Further, 11% of those who were not gang-affiliated reported consuming a supersized alcopop within the past 30 days, compared to 57% of those who were gang-affiliated. DISCUSSION This study identifies disparate consumption of dangerous supersized alcopop products by vulnerable and at-risk groups. Better regulation of supersized alcopop marketing is needed to reduce alcohol consumption among high-risk groups, including people who are homeless and gang members, and display greater hostility and risk-taking traits. Previous research suggests that reducing the alcohol by volume and increasing the retail price of supersized alcopops would reduce some of the harms associated with consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew E Rossheim
- From the, Department of Global and Community Health, (MER), George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia
| | - Jennifer A Lerch
- Department of Criminology, Law and Society, (JAL, FST), Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence!, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia
| | - Scott T Walters
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Systems, (STW), University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas
| | - Melvin D Livingston
- Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, (MDL), Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Faye S Taxman
- Department of Criminology, Law and Society, (JAL, FST), Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence!, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia
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Lee JS, Taxman FS. Using latent class analysis to identify the complex needs of youth on probation. Child Youth Serv Rev 2020; 115:105087. [PMID: 32501317 PMCID: PMC7236694 DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Youth involved with the juvenile justice system have higher rates of unmet social and psychological service needs than the general population. Yet, scant research has addressed the potentially complex needs of youth on probation. This study is thus a first step in improving our ability to promote positive youth development and improved outcomes from youth on probation. It uses administrative data on probation youth from FY2011-2013 in a mid-Atlantic state. We estimated latent class models based on the ordinal scoring (high, moderate, none/low) of the 25 subscales from a standardized assessment administered at intake. In order to test whether groups were distinct, we examined a range of variables, including the official risk classification and recidivism rates measured by officieal rearrests and reconvictions. We report the demographic differences between the estimated groups, as well as adverse childhood experiences, school and employment status, previous legal history, and substance use history. Ultimately, the seven-class model produced four groups that others have noted: a relatively low needs (lowest need), relatively high needs (complex needs), substance use service needs, and mental health service needs. The other three groups that emerged include two gender specific groups (one for male and one for female high-need groups) and a group with skills needs that lacks supportive and protective skills. The analyses will facilitate a better appreciation for the service needs of moderate risk youth. Youth on probation are not a uniform population; they reflect tremendous heterogeneity, and probation systems should embrace systemic responsivity to provide appropriate services to improve youth outcomes. Advancing efforts to provide a broader spectrum of services that address multi-morbid conditions can ensure that youth have opportunities to improve their quality of life during the period of supervision.
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Affiliation(s)
- JoAnn S Lee
- George Mason University Department of Social Work, 4400 University Drive - MSN 1F8, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
| | - Faye S Taxman
- George Mason University Criminology, Law & Society, Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence!, 4097 University Drive, MSN 6D3, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
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Ferguson WJ, Johnston J, Clarke JG, Koutoujian PJ, Maurer K, Gallagher C, White J, Nickl D, Taxman FS. Advancing the implementation and sustainment of medication assisted treatment for opioid use disorders in prisons and jails. Health Justice 2019; 7:19. [PMID: 31832801 PMCID: PMC6908545 DOI: 10.1186/s40352-019-0100-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Opioid use disorder (OUD) is among the most prevalent medical condition experienced by incarcerated persons, yet medication assisted therapy (MAT) is uncommon. Four jail and prison systems partnered with researchers to document their adoption of MAT for incarcerated individuals with opioid use disorders (OUD) using their established treatment protocols. Employing the EPIS (Exploration, Planning, Implementation, and Sustainment) framework, programs report on systematic efforts to expand screening, treatment and provide linkage to community-based care upon release. RESULTS All four systems were engaged with implementation of MAT at the outset of the study. Thus, findings focus more on uptake and penetration as part of implementation and sustainment of medication treatment. The prevalence of OUD during any given month ranged from 28 to 65% of the population in the participating facilities. All programs developed consistent approaches to screen individuals at intake and provided care coordination with community treatment providers at the time of release. The proportion of individuals with OUD who received MAT ranged considerably from 9 to 61%. Despite efforts at all four sites to increase utilization of MAT, only one site achieved sustained growth in the proportion of individuals treated over the course of the project. Government leadership, dedicated funding and collaboration with community treatment providers were deemed essential to adoption of MAT during implementation phases. Facilitators for MAT included increases in staffing and staff training; group education on medication assisted therapies; use of data to drive change processes; coordination with other elements of the criminal justice system to expand care; and ongoing contact with individuals post-release to encourage continued treatment. Barriers included lack of funding and space and institutional design; challenges in changing the cultural perception of all approved treatments; excluding or discontinuing treatment based on patient factors, movement or transfer of individuals; and inability to sustain care coordination at the time of release. CONCLUSIONS Adoption of evidence-based medication assisted therapies for OUD in prisons and jails can be accomplished but requires persistent effort to identify and overcome challenges and dedicated funding to sustain programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warren J. Ferguson
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, MA 01655 USA
| | | | - Jennifer G. Clarke
- Rhode Island Department of Corrections, 40 Howard Ave, Cranston, RI 02920 USA
| | | | - Kathleen Maurer
- Connecticut Department of Correction, 24 Wolcott Hill Rd., Wethersfield, CT 06109 USA
| | - Colleen Gallagher
- Health and Addiction Services, Connecticut Department of Correction, 24 Wolcott Hill Rd, Wethersfield, CT 06109 USA
| | - Julie White
- University Correctional health Care, Bates Bldg, 2nd Fl, New Jersey Department of Corrections, Trenton, NJ 08625-0863 USA
| | - Dyana Nickl
- Health and Criminal Justice Program, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 333 South St., Shrewsbury, MA 01545 USA
| | - Faye S. Taxman
- Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence, 4087 University Drive, 4100, MSN6D3, Fairfax, VA 22030 USA
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Abstract
Diversion to treatment is not a new concept in the criminal justice system. Successful strategies require the participation of both law enforcement officers and individuals with a substance use disorder (SUD). This study relies on interviews and focus groups to explore the perceptions and attitudes of these two different populations about non-arrest programs. From the police perspective, the study found that the biggest barrier to using alternatives is the police culture, while championship by leadership and collaborations with community stakeholders facilitate opportunities for using non-arrest options. Clients with SUDs had positive attitudes about non-arrest programs, but negative perspectives about the justice system and the police overall. Policy implications for future efforts are highlighted, particularly as efforts increase to expand the use of non-arrest options including diversion programs.
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de Andrade DF, Spittal MJ, Snow KJ, Taxman FS, Crilly JL, Kinner SA. Emergency health service contact and reincarceration after release from prison: A prospective cohort study. Crim Behav Ment Health 2019; 29:85-93. [PMID: 30697841 DOI: 10.1002/cbm.2106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2018] [Revised: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adults released from prison often have complex health needs. They are at high risk of poor health outcomes and reincarceration, with health service use unlikely to be planned. AIMS/HYPOTHESES To determine the incidence of emergency health service (EHS) use, ambulance attendance and/or emergency department presentation, among 1,181 adults released from Australian prisons. We hypothesised that EHS contact would be associated with increased reincarceration risk. METHODS Baseline surveys were conducted within 6 weeks before release. Postrelease EHS contacts and reincarceration were identified through prospective data linkage. For each participant, EHS contacts within a 24-hour period were combined to make an episode. We used Cox proportional hazards regression to examine the relationship between EHS episodes and reincarceration, controlling for covariates. RESULTS More than half (53.3%) of participants had at least one EHS contact over a median of 25.6-month follow-up. In adjusted analyses, compared to those with no EHS contacts, the hazard of reincarceration was greater for participants who had one to three EHS episodes (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.84; 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.48, 2.29]) or four or more (HR = 2.35; 95% CI [1.67, 3.29]). CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Emergency department attendance by people with a history of imprisonment may be indicative of wider decompensation. Improved management of such patients may improve health outcomes and have collateral benefits for reducing reincarceration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominique F de Andrade
- Centre for Youth Substance Abuse Research, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Centre for Children's Health Research, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Griffith Criminology Institute, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Lives Lived Well Research Group, School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Matthew J Spittal
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kathryn J Snow
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Faye S Taxman
- Criminology, Law and Society, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
| | - Julia L Crilly
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Gold Coast Health, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Stuart A Kinner
- Griffith Criminology Institute, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Mater Research Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Centre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Spohr SA, Livingston MD, Taxman FS, Walters ST. What's the influence of social interactions on substance use and treatment initiation? A prospective analysis among substance-using probationers. Addict Behav 2019; 89:143-150. [PMID: 30316139 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.09.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Revised: 09/04/2018] [Accepted: 09/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION A person's social environment greatly affects the likelihood of substance use, which in turn affects risk for criminal behavior. This study examined how people's social environment early in probation contributed to later substance use and treatment outcome, both of which predict probation success. METHODS Data were analyzed from a randomized controlled trial of substance-using probationers (N = 316). Moderation analyses assessed the relationship between social support near the start of probation and substance use and treatment initiation after 2 and 6 months. RESULTS Abstinence at 2-months was associated with better baseline measures of support quality (more positive support, fewer negative interactions, and reduced conflict). Similar associations were identified for 6-month abstinence including better baseline quality, more positive support, and less family and peer conflict. There were no significant associations between the baseline social support and treatment initiation at 2-months. However, poorer baseline quality support and more negative interactions predicted increased treatment initiation at 6-months. CONCLUSIONS Social support and the quality of an offender's social network have important implications for substance use and treatment compliance. The criminal justice system emphasizes ways to minimize negative social influences among offenders (i.e., probation conditions that limit contact with other offenders). However, this study suggests that behavior change is a function of not only reducing negative influences but also increasing positive or good quality supports.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie A Spohr
- School of Public Health, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
| | - Melvin D Livingston
- School of Public Health, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
| | - Faye S Taxman
- Department of Criminology, Law and Society, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
| | - Scott T Walters
- School of Public Health, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA.
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Sloas L, Murphy A, Wooditch A, Taxman FS. Assessing the Use and Impact of Points and Rewards across Four Federal Probation Districts: A Contingency Management Approach. Vict Offender 2019; 14:811-831. [PMID: 33041726 PMCID: PMC7545962 DOI: 10.1080/15564886.2019.1656691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Contingency management (CM) is a well-acknowledged behavioral approach for incentivizing changes in behavior and attitudes. A version of CM was piloted in four federal probation districts to determine whether systematically awarding points and rewards for key behaviors could be implemented and impact recidivism rates. A case controlled match design was conducted with a CM sample (referred to as Justice Steps (JSTEPS)) (n=128) who were individually matched to a comparison sample (n=128) on six variables related to recidivism. Analyses compared the number of technical violations and new arrests between JSTEPS participants and a historical comparison sample. Using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, results indicate JSTEPS sites using early CM rewarding strategies tend have delayed recidivism than others. A research agenda is outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lincoln Sloas
- College for Design and Social Inquiry, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, SO 221, Boca Raton, FL 33431
| | - Amy Murphy
- Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030
| | - Alese Wooditch
- Temple University, Department of Criminal Justice, 529 Gladfelter Hall | 1115 Polett Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19122
| | - Faye S Taxman
- Criminology, Law & Society, Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence!, 4087 University Drive, 4100, MSN 6D3, Fairfax, VA 22030
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McCollister KE, Yang X, Murphy SM, Leff JA, Kronmal RA, Crane HM, Chandler RK, Taxman FS, Feaster DJ, Metsch LR, Cunningham WE, Altice FL, Schackman BR. Criminal justice measures for economic data harmonization in substance use disorder research. Health Justice 2018; 6:17. [PMID: 30242561 PMCID: PMC6755573 DOI: 10.1186/s40352-018-0073-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 08/29/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The consequences of substance use disorders (SUDs) are varied and broad, affecting many sectors of society and the economy. Economic evaluation translates these consequences into dollars to examine the net economic impact of interventions for SUD, and associated conditions such as HCV and HIV. The nexus between substance use and crime makes criminal justice outcomes particularly significant for estimating the economic impact of SUD interventions, and important for data harmonization. METHODS We compared baseline data collected in six NIDA-funded Seek, Test, Treat and Retain (STTR) intervention studies that enrolled HIV-infected/at-risk individuals with SUDs (total n = 3415). Criminal justice measures included contacts with the criminal justice system (e.g., arrests) and criminal offenses. The objective was to develop a list of recommended measures and methods supporting economic data harmonization opportunities in HIV and SUD research, with an initial focus on crime-related outcomes. RESULTS Criminal justice contacts and criminal offenses were highly variable across studies. When measures grouped by offense classifications were compared, consistencies across studies emerged. Most individuals report being arrested for property or public order crimes (> 50%); the most commonly reported offenses were prostitution/pimping, larceny/shoplifting, robbery, and household burglary. CONCLUSIONS We identified four measures that are feasible and appropriate for estimating the economic consequences of SUDs/HIV/HCV: number of arrests, number of convictions, days of incarceration, and times committing criminal offenses, by type of offense. To account for extreme variation, grouping crimes by offense classification or calculating monthly averages per event allows for more meaningful comparisons across studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn E. McCollister
- Department Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL USA
| | - Xuan Yang
- Department Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL USA
| | - Sean M. Murphy
- Department of Healthcare Policy and Research, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY USA
| | - Jared A. Leff
- Department of Healthcare Policy and Research, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY USA
| | - Richard A. Kronmal
- Collaborative Health Studies Coordinating Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA
| | - Heidi M. Crane
- Center for AIDS Research, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA
| | | | - Faye S. Taxman
- Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA USA
| | - Daniel J. Feaster
- Department Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL USA
| | - Lisa R. Metsch
- Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY USA
| | | | - Frederick L. Altice
- Yale AIDS Program, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT USA
| | - Bruce R. Schackman
- Department of Healthcare Policy and Research, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY USA
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Viglione J, Blasko BL, Taxman FS. Organizational Factors and Probation Officer Use of Evidence-Based Practices: A Multilevel Examination. Int J Offender Ther Comp Criminol 2018; 62:1648-1667. [PMID: 28142294 DOI: 10.1177/0306624x16681091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Growing evidence pointing to the ineffectiveness of control-oriented supervision practices has led to an emphasis on evidence-based practices (EBPs), or practices that are empirically tied to recidivism reduction. Research on EBPs in probation highlights the importance of case management-oriented supervision and provision of proactive, appropriate program referrals. Despite research support, challenges exist regarding implementing EBPs in real-world practice. Utilizing survey data from 813 adult probation officers across 43 agencies, the current study examined variation in use of case management and proactive referral practices. Findings highlight the important role organizational commitment plays in supporting implementation efforts. Implications suggest a need for probation agencies to promote and sustain staff commitment to their agency before embarking on significant reform efforts.
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Folk JB, Stuewig JB, Blasko BL, Caudy M, Martinez AG, Maass S, Taxman FS, Tangney JP. Do Demographic Factors Moderate How Well Criminal Thinking Predicts Recidivism? Int J Offender Ther Comp Criminol 2018; 62:2045-2062. [PMID: 29237316 DOI: 10.1177/0306624x17694405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Is the relationship between criminal thinking and recidivism the same for criminal justice-involved individuals from varying demographic backgrounds? Relying on two independent samples of offenders and two measures of criminal thinking, the current studies examined whether four demographic factors-gender, race, age, and education-moderated the relationship between criminal thinking and recidivism. Study 1 consisted of 226 drug-involved probationers enrolled in a randomized clinical trial. Study 2 consisted of 346 jail inmates from a longitudinal study. Logistic regression models suggested that the strength of the relationship between criminal thinking and subsequent recidivism did not vary based on participant demographics, regardless of justice system setting or measure of criminal thinking. Criminal thinking predicts recidivism similarly for people who are male, female, Black, White, older, younger, and more or less educated.
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Odio CD, Carroll M, Glass S, Bauman A, Taxman FS, Meyer JP. Evaluating concurrent validity of criminal justice and clinical assessments among women on probation. Health Justice 2018; 6:7. [PMID: 29627964 PMCID: PMC5889765 DOI: 10.1186/s40352-018-0065-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2017] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Women in the criminal justice (CJ) system experience complex and comorbid medical, psychiatric, and substance use disorders, which often contribute to CJ involvement. To identify intersections between CJ and health needs, we calculated Spearman r correlations between concurrent CJ and clinical assessments from women on probation in Connecticut who were enrolled in a clinical trial. We examined longitudinal trends in CJ risk scores over 9 years of observation (2005-2014), modeling time to probation recidivism with shared gamma frailty models and comparing contiguous time points by Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank tests. RESULTS Women (N = 31) were predominantly white (67.7%) with at least some high school education (58.1%) and mostly unemployed (77.4%) and unstably housed (83.9%). Most met clinical criteria for severe substance use and/or psychiatric disorders. Concurrent measures of substance use, mental health, social support, partnerships, and risk by the Level of Service Inventory-Revised (LSI-R) and clinical assessments were not significantly correlated. The LSI-R personal/emotional sub-score, however, positively correlated with the Addiction Severity Index psychiatric composite score (r = 0.40, 95% CI 0.03-0.68, p = 0.03). After adjusting for age, race and number of previous events, having some high school education versus none marginally decreased the hazard for probation recidivism and having > 5 inpatient psychiatric admissions versus none increased the hazard of probation recidivism 7-fold (HR 7.49, 95% CI 1.33-42.12, p = 0.022). Women with 0-1 recurrent probation terms (n = 16) had a significantly lower mean LSI-R score than those with 2-4 recurrent probation terms (35.9 [SD 6.4] versus 39.2 [SD 3.0], p = 0.019), but repeated LSI-R scores did not change over time, nor vary significantly beyond the group mean. CONCLUSIONS In this small, quantitative study of women on probation, widely used CJ assessment tools poorly reflected women's comorbid medical, psychiatric, and substance use needs and varied minimally over time. Findings illustrate the limitations of contemporary CJ assessment tools for women with complex needs. The field requires more comprehensive assessments of women's social and health needs to develop individualized targeted case plans that simultaneously improve health and CJ outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila D. Odio
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale New Haven Health, PO Box 208030, New Haven, CT 06520-8030 USA
| | - Megan Carroll
- Department of Biostatistics, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
| | - Susan Glass
- Connecticut Judicial Branch, Court Support Services Division, 936 Silas Deane Hwy, Wethersfield, CT 06109 USA
| | - Ashley Bauman
- Bauman Consulting Group, LLC, 411 W. Loveland Ave., Suite 201-B, Loveland, OH 45140 USA
| | - Faye S. Taxman
- Criminology, Law & Society, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, 4F4, Fairfax, VA 22030 USA
| | - Jaimie P. Meyer
- AIDS Program, Yale School of Medicine, 135 College Street, Suite 323, New Haven, CT 06510 USA
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Marshall B, Spohr SA, Taxman FS, Walters ST. The Effect of Childhood Household Dysfunction on Future HIV Risk among Probationers. J Health Care Poor Underserved 2018; 28:754-769. [PMID: 28529222 DOI: 10.1353/hpu.2017.0072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Adverse childhood events (ACE) can lead to numerous health risks in adulthood. ACEs coupled with increased risk-taking behaviors can lead to increased risk for HIV infection, particularly in vulnerable populations. The purpose of this study was to determine if mental health symptom severity mediates the relationship between childhood household dysfunction and adult HIV risk among a group of probationers. METHODS T-tests were used to evaluate associations between demographic characteristics and cumulative engagement in sexual risk behaviors in 282 drug-involved probationers. A mediation analysis was conducted to determine the direct and indirect effect of cumulative household dysfunction and high-risk sexual behaviors through mental health symptom severity. RESULTS We found significant differences in the occurrence of different childhood household dysfunction problems by probationer gender, race, and criminal risk level. Mental health symptom severity demonstrated a significant indirect mediation effect of household dysfunction adverse events and engagement in sexual risky behaviors, b = .03, 95% BCa CI [.007, .057]. CONCLUSIONS Given the high prevalence of childhood trauma in probationers and the direct associations with mental illness and sexual risk-taking behaviors, the need for offenders to have access to and receive mental health treatment while under community supervision is evident. Mental health and substance abuse treatment services can not only reduce risks for recidivism but also HIV infection and transmission within this population.
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Cowell AJ, Zarkin GA, Wedehase BJ, Lerch J, Walters ST, Taxman FS. Cost and cost-effectiveness of computerized vs. in-person motivational interventions in the criminal justice system. J Subst Abuse Treat 2018; 87:42-49. [PMID: 29471925 PMCID: PMC5831724 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2018.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Revised: 01/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Although substance use is common among probationers in the United States, treatment initiation remains an ongoing problem. Among the explanations for low treatment initiation are that probationers are insufficiently motivated to seek treatment, and that probation staff have insufficient training and resources to use evidence-based strategies such as motivational interviewing. A web-based intervention based on motivational enhancement principles may address some of the challenges of initiating treatment but has not been tested to date in probation settings. The current study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of a computerized intervention, Motivational Assessment Program to Initiate Treatment (MAPIT), relative to face-to-face Motivational Interviewing (MI) and supervision as usual (SAU), delivered at the outset of probation. METHODS The intervention took place in probation departments in two U.S. cities. The baseline sample comprised 316 participants (MAPIT = 104, MI = 103, and SAU = 109), 90% (n = 285) of whom completed the 6-month follow-up. Costs were estimated from study records and time logs kept by interventionists. The effectiveness outcome was self-reported initiation into any treatment (formal or informal) within 2 and 6 months of the baseline interview. The cost-effectiveness analysis involved assessing dominance and computing incremental cost-effectiveness ratios and cost-effectiveness acceptability curves. Implementation costs were used in the base case of the cost-effectiveness analysis, which excludes both a hypothetical license fee to recoup development costs and startup costs. An intent-to-treat approach was taken. RESULTS MAPIT cost $79.37 per participant, which was ~$55 lower than the MI cost of $134.27 per participant. Appointment reminders comprised a large proportion of the cost of the MAPIT and MI intervention arms. In the base case, relative to SAU, MAPIT cost $6.70 per percentage point increase in the probability of initiating treatment. If a decision-maker is willing to pay $15 or more to improve the probability of initiating treatment by 1%, estimates suggest she can be 70% confident that MAPIT is good value relative to SAU at the 2-month follow-up and 90% confident that MAPIT is good value at the 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Web-based MAPIT may be good value compared to in-person delivered alternatives. This conclusion is qualified because the results are not robust to narrowing the outcome to initiating formal treatment only. Further work should explore ways to improve access to efficacious treatment in probation settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander J Cowell
- RTI International, 3040 Cornwallis Road, PO Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2194, United States.
| | - Gary A Zarkin
- RTI International, 3040 Cornwallis Road, PO Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2194, United States.
| | - Brendan J Wedehase
- RTI International, 3040 Cornwallis Road, PO Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2194, United States.
| | - Jennifer Lerch
- George Mason University, Commerce Building II, 4100 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030, United States.
| | - Scott T Walters
- University of North Texas Health Science Center, Department of Health Behavior and Health Systems, School of Public Health, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd., EAD 709, Fort Worth, TX 76107, United States.
| | - Faye S Taxman
- George Mason University, Commerce Building II, 4100 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030, United States.
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Rossheim ME, Livingston MD, Lerch JA, Taxman FS, Walters ST. Serious mental illness and negative substance use consequences among adults on probation. Health Justice 2018; 6:6. [PMID: 29569076 PMCID: PMC5864578 DOI: 10.1186/s40352-018-0064-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 03/11/2018] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adults on probation are at greater risk of both using substances and having a mental disorder compared to the general population. Several theories explain the relationship between substance use and poor mental health. However, the interaction between substance use, mental health, and substance-related consequences is not well understood. A better understanding of this relationship may help treatment programs become more responsive to people with serious mental illness (SMI). METHOD The current study used interview data from 313 adults on probation who reported recent substance use. We examined associations between SMI risk, substance use, and substance use consequences. RESULTS A substantial proportion of the sample (37.5%) screened at risk of having a SMI. Adjusting for type and amount of substance use, those who screened at risk of having a SMI reported more negative substance use consequences. Significant interaction effects were observed between use of alcohol or opiates and SMI risk. Alcohol use was associated with more negative substance use consequences among those at risk of SMI, while opiate use was associated with more consequences among those not at risk. CONCLUSIONS Programs are sorely needed to identify and treat adults with comorbid substance use and mental health symptoms, particularly for adults in the justice system. Clinicians should carefully consider how mental health may interact with substance use to exacerbate consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew E. Rossheim
- Department of Global and Community Health, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, MS5B7, Robinson Hall B, Fairfax, VA 22030-4444 USA
| | - Melvin D. Livingston
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX USA
| | - Jennifer A. Lerch
- Department of Criminology, Law & Society, Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence!, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA USA
| | - Faye S. Taxman
- Department of Criminology, Law & Society, Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence!, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA USA
| | - Scott T. Walters
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Systems, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX USA
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