Family and Community Support and

family and community support and the outcomes of drug abuse treatment programs in female prisoners prior to family and community reintegration Various research study designs have been utilized in understanding the different aspects associated with or linked to successful completion of drug abuse treatment programs and this is true of the study of those who are presently incarcerated in prison system and while family and social support has been mentioned in previous research studies conducted among prison populations measuring the success of drug abuse program completion this aspect as not been studied specifically to measure the impact that family and social support has on the success of prison inmates in their completion of drug abuse treatment programs.

The work of Pelissier (2004) informs this study that the majority of women in one study who were in prison reported: "...they will be responsible for minor children when released from prison.

Thus, treatment entry and retention may be enhanced by women's recognition that substance use treatment may have a positive effect on their family relationships." (Pelissier, 2004) the report of Pelissier also reports findings that include "social ties and external incentives are associated with treatment entry but also with treatment retention." (Pelissier, 2004) FAMILY and COMMUNITY SUPPORT and the OUTCOMES of DRUG ABUSE TREATMENT PROGRAMS in FEMALE PRISONERS PRIOR to FAMILY and COMMUNITY REINTEGRATION RESEARCH PROPOSAL I.

INTRODUCTION An evaluation funded by the National Institute of Justice entitled: "An Outcome Evaluation of the Forever Free Substance Abuse Treatment Program: One-Year Post-Release Outcomes" states that women who are drug-dependent "pose a serious problem for criminal justice authorities for several reasons" as the rate of women imprisoned has grown at a rate much faster than that of men and the needs of female prisoners are different and more diverse that that of male prisoners.

This is problematic because jurisdictions generally do not have treatment programs that are specifically appropriate for and designed for females in prison with drug abuse and dependence problems. Because of relapses in use of drugs the rate of women turning around and heading right back to prison are extremely high. Previous research findings suggest that drug abuse treatment in combination with family and social support is more successful than treatment in the absence of such support.

Various research study designs have been utilized in understanding the different aspects associated with or linked to successful completion of drug abuse treatment programs and this is true of the study of those who are presently incarcerated in prison system and while family and social support has been mentioned in previous research studies conducted among prison populations measuring the success of drug abuse program completion this aspect as not been studied specifically to measure the impact that family and social support has on the success of prison inmates in their completion of drug abuse treatment programs.

The following research proposal however, does just that and following a review of literature in this area of study sets out the proposed research design in order to study the impact of family and social support on prison inmates who are attempting to successfully complete drug treatment programs. II.

LITERATURE REVIEW The report entitled: "California State Prisoners with Children: Findings From the 1997 Survey of Inmates in State and Federal Correctional Facilities" states that it is reported:."..recent incarceration trends in California state prisons have profound implications and likely unintended consequences for the children of incarcerated parents." (Prendergast, 2003) Furthermore, it has been found that individuals and specifically, parents who are prepared for reintegration into their Family have more success and are less likely to return to the prison system.

The work of Zinston (2006) entitled: "Preparing Incarcerated Parents for Reintegration in Families: An Evaluative Study" states that in recent years, many leaders in the field of corrections have come to the conclusion that the part of the role of the correctional system should be to prepare offenders to reintegrate into society.

It has become a common school of thought that rather than simply punishing or incapacitating offenders, it may be more effective in the long run to help them reintegrate into society after they are released from prison." (Prendergast, 2003) a focus that plans reentry of the offender and specifically "offender rehabilitation programs have become much more prevalent." (Prendergast, 2003) Stated to be program with a design that is "...very beneficial is one that focuses on strengthening the relationships between offenders and their families." (Prendergast, 2003) report presented to the National Institute of Justice and National Institute on Drug Abuse in 1997 entitled: "Drug Use and Criminality Among Drug-Involved Arrestees: An Experimental Study of an HIV Prevention Intervention" reports a study that employed interventions that "focused on two factors believed to be associated with behavioral change: 1) Social support, including perceptions of peer norms favoring risk reduction and encouragement of others to change behavior; and 2) Removal of practical barriers that might discourage behavioral change." (Rhodes and Gross, 1987) In this study Rhodes and Gross report that the case managers "sought to discover topics that interested the clients and could be a basis for engagement and ongoing interaction..." which is stated to have included children and family.

This was in a method that included "multiple letters and repeated telephone calls" of interaction with friends and family members in establishment of a network "of linkages with clients who were difficult to reach directly." (Rhodes and Gross, 1987) This program operates under the principle and rule that no information was to be revealed to the authorities other than overt plans to commit homicide or suicide and these guidelines were obeyed in total., the research design in this study involved a baseline interview in which the core needs of the client were determined and a structured interview informed the case manager concerning the client's "situation, attitudes, and motivation regarding drug use and treatment." (Rhodes and Gross, 1987) Because the clients in this particular study there were various issues that factored in and resulted in lacks of controls in this approach to study familial influences upon drug users cessation of the use of drugs however, this study does report use of positive reinforcement principles in cognitive therapy being successful in assisting some of the individuals when combined with integration of interaction with family members for support for the purposes of abstaining from drug use.

The work of Bernadette Pelissier (2004) entitled: "Gender Differences in Substance Use Treatment Entry and Retention Among Prisoner with Substance Use Histories" published in the American Journal of Public Health states that "women with average/good family ties were more likely to enter treatment, whereas men with average-good family ties were less likely to do so." (Pelissier, 2004) the study additionally states findings as follows: "Most women reported they will be responsible for minor children when released from prison.

Thus, treatment entry and retention may be enhanced by women's recognition that substance use treatment may have a positive effect on their family relationships." (Pelissier, 2004) This study also states findings that social ties: "...and external incentives are associated with treatment entry but also with treatment retention." (Pelissier, 2004) Gender specific differences are noted as being present in the successful reintegration into society for women in overcoming "unique social, emotional, and physical challenges that impeded their ability to integrate smoothly back into society following a period of incarceration." (National Institute of Justice, 2005) Reported is the "Forever Free Program" which is a "...voluntary, intensive residential treatment program for women inmates with substance abuse problems at the California Institution for Women in Corona, California." (National Institute of Justice, 2005) This program involves an 8-week substance abuse education course and while this course does not involve family members per se it is a 'therapeutic community' setting which has been found to be highly effective in the reintegration of drug and domestic violence offenders back into society and into a more principles and peer-accepted manner of living.

The National Institute of Justice report states findings of higher recidivism rates among those who had been reincarcerated and who had "experienced more childhood victimization; they reported more post-release drug use, intimate partner violence, and stress, less support from family and friends..." (National Institute of Justice, 2005) the Therapeutic Community drug treatment model is a program based on the view that a drug addiction is a "symptom of the dysfunctional behavior in the addicts' life and not the cause of the dysfunctional behavior in the adult's life..." (National Institute of Justice, 2005) it is noted that the program when used requires modification when its use is for men rather than women.

Noted as risk for failure in the program were the following: psychiatric history - (formal diagnosis and/or emotional or psychological difficulties); If she has contemplated suicide; If she has attempted suicide; or if she has difficulty in controlling her temper or her behavior is hostile/violent. (National Institute of Justice, 2005) It is noted as extremely important that treatment be gender single for it to be most successful.

The factor noted as being most critical however, by those who have successfully completed this program is that programs such as these while offering a way "to straighten up....in the end 'the addict has to want to change' and if the addict does not want to change it does not matter what program..." that the addict is in.

(National Institute of Justice, 2005) the National Institute of Justice reports that a woman "often retains legal custody of a child while in prison, and once out, may not have the child immediately returned to her by the family member caring for the child." (2005) Sarah Samson reports in the work entitled: "Groundbreaking Study Identifies Crucial Factors for Successful Community Reintegration of Ex-Prisoners in Baltimore" published in 2004, that Programs that help prisoners stay connected with their families, get drug treatment, and work while in prison can increase the chances that they will successfully reintegrate back into society, according to a new study released today by the nonpartisan Urban Institute.

The study breaks new ground by recording prisoners' perspectives on reentering society." (2004) This report states specifically in relation to family support that "families were a critical factor as to whether people succeeded on the outside by providing financial and emotional support and linking people to jobs.

After they were released, the largest share of respondents (51%) relied on their families to support them although before being released 54% had said they expected to be able to support themselves." (Samson, 2004) Samson reports findings that relate that the analysis found: "...that respondents with closer family relationships, stronger family support, and fewer negative dynamics in relationships with intimate partners were more likely to have worked after release and were less likely to have used drugs.

It is evident that family support, when it exists, is a strong asset that can be brought to the table in the reentry planning process." (Samson, 2004) Specifically stated in relation to substance abuse programs are that "a significant majority (78%) of those interviewed used drugs prior to incarceration. However, only a fraction of those (35%) who needed treatment received assistance while in prison.

The research shows that those who did get substance abuse treatment while incarcerated were more likely to stay out of prison, find and keep jobs and enjoy family stability." (Samson, 2004) The Urban Institute has reported recent findings from the Urban Institute on Families and Reentry report states that before they were released that more than half of those in prison in Maryland's 'Returning Home' study "reported that family support would be an important factor in helping them avoid returning to prison." (2004) This report relates that "relatively few" inmates have ongoing and regular contact with family members while in prison.

In fact, only a mere thirteen percent of those participating in this study "had in-person contact with family members or children, and 29% had visits from partners."(Urban Institute, 2004) Community support is also noted as sadly lacking in the present criminal justice prison system. III. DATA and METHODS Research Design This research design is one that is both qualitative and quantitative in nature and will be conducted through the instrument of a survey/questionnaire administered to a randomly selected sampling of female inmates in the prison system.

The survey/questionnaires will be distributed to female inmates who have successfully completed drug abuse treatment programs in prison in order to discover what factors affected their successful completion of this program.

As well the survey/questionnaires will be distributed to a random sampling of female inmates in prison who did not complete the drug abuse treatment program to use as a comparison and contrast in the study in determining the factors that most strongly support the inmates completion of the drug abuse treatment program and the factors that most strongly indicated the reason for the prison inmates failures in completing the drug abuse treatment program.

The National Institute of Justice Report (2005) has informed this study that many women incarcerated in prison still retain custody of their minor children therefore; this study will seek to understand as well the affect that this has upon the successful completion of a drug abuse treatment program by female prison inmates.

Dependent Variables The dependent variables in this study are that the sampling will be derived from among females, who are also inmates in prison, and who have attended drug abuse treatment programs while in prison and who also have failed to successfully complete or who have successfully completed the drug abuse treatment program.

Independent Variables The independent variables in this study will include those of: 1) Presence of family or social support; 2) Contact with children while in treatment; 3) Contact with spouse, parents or other family member or close community contact while in treatment; 4) Whether drug abuse is in the history of the family of the inmate; 5) Whether a mentor in the community exists for the inmate; and 6) Whether the inmate has a history of.