The influence of legal coercion on substance abuse treatment and criminal behavior outcomes and costs
by Brolin, Mary F., Ph.D., BRANDEIS UNIV., THE HELLER SCHOOL FOR SOCIAL POLICY AND MGMT., 2006, 336 pages; 3255462

Abstract:

The high prevalence of substance abuse problems among criminal offenders has caused policymakers to dedicate resources for substance abuse services. This study analyzed the treatment outcomes and cost offsets from averted crime resulting from legally coerced substance abuse treatment to determine if there were reductions in crime and cost savings due to treatment.

The theoretical model draws on the cost model of alcoholism treatment offset effects by Goodman and colleagues. Following the model, legal coercion influences substance abuse treatment, which, in turn, influences treatment outcomes and criminal justice costs.

The study population included publicly funded clients using substance abuse treatment in FY '95. Using data from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information, analyses determined whether or not legally coerced clients differed from those with no legal coercion in terms of: (1) Substance abuse histories and characteristics, (2) Length of time in treatment, (3) Crime reduction subsequent to admission, (4) Relapse and recidivate rates, and (5) Cost savings through decreased involvement with the criminal justice system due to money spent on treatment.

Results showed that, compared to clients with no legal coercion, legally coerced clients: (1) achieved long lengths of stay at rates similar to those with no coercion, (2) had lower relapse rates but higher recidivism rates, (3) had greater decreases in crime for outpatient and residential treatment, resulting in positive cost offsets in the criminal justice system for clients with moderate and high coercion one year after treatment admission and for clients with moderate coercion two years after admission within outpatient and two and three years after admission in residential treatment.

The study provides weak evidence in favor of coercion since the findings differed across modalities and time periods. Study findings also need to be used cautiously since the overall result that crime increased in all follow-up periods, driven by increases among clients with no coercion, contradicts most previous literature.
 
AdviserConstance M. Horgan
SchoolBRANDEIS UNIV., THE HELLER SCHOOL FOR SOCIAL POLICY AND MGMT.
SourceDAI/A 68-03, p. , Sep 2007
Source TypeDissertation
SubjectsLaw; Criminology; Public policy
Publication Number3255462
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