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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Carmen E. Albizu-García, MD, Glorimar Caraballo-Correa, BS, Adriana Hernández, BS, and Marisol Peña, MS. Center for Evaluation and Sociomedical Research, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Puerto Rico, P.O. Box 365067, San Juan, PR 00936-5067, 787.758.3189, calbizu@rcm.upr.edu

Background: The US prison population is the largest worldwide. Recidivism, re-incarceration for new offenses, contributes to its growth. Many inmates experience a mental and/or a drug use disorder, yet treatment is scarce. Debate exists on the relative contribution of drug use disorders and criminal activity to recidivism and whether drug treatment in prisons is cost beneficial. We examine the association of drug use and psychiatric co-morbidity to recidivism among inmates of a state prison system.

Methods: Anonymous, confidential, survey in 2005 with a representative sample of 1,175 inmates in Puerto Rican prisons (89% response rate). Data collected on prior incarcerations, drug use, diagnosis of drug abuse/dependence, and selected psychiatric disorders. Control variables included demographics, years served of present sentence, criminogenic factors, and criminal activity. Multivariate logistic regression compared recidivism for 5 groups based on drug use: drug users without diagnosis, inmates with a lifetime diagnosis of drug disorder, those with a concurrent psychiatric condition, and those with only a mental illness, against inmates who denied ever using illegal drugs. Significance was established at p<.05.

Results: Sample demographics: 81% males, mean age 30, and 69% formerly incarcerated. Recidivism associated in multivariate analysis with: drug users with a lifetime diagnosis of drug disorder (OR=2.53; CI: 1.23-5.18), those with a concurrent psychiatric condition (OR=2.40; CI: 1.57-3.70) and those with only a mental illness (OR=1.84; CI: 1.30-2.61).

Conclusions: Controlling for other predictors, illness burden is significantly associated to recidivism suggesting the need to re-address the role of drug treatment in the correctional setting.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to

• Describe the magnitude of the factors that contribute to prison re-incarceration.
• Asses the extent to which the findings contribute to the debate on expanding drug treatment in the correctional setting.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered