In:
PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science (PLoS), Vol. 17, No. 9 ( 2022-9-7), p. e0272870-
Abstract:
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.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1932-6203
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0272870
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0272870.g001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0272870.t001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0272870.t002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0272870.t003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0272870.s001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0272870.s002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0272870.s003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0272870.s004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0272870.s005
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0272870.s006
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0272870.s007
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0272870.s008
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0272870.s009
Language:
English
Publisher:
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Publication Date:
2022
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2267670-3