Effects of the N.S.W. Prison Methadone Program on Criminal Recidivism and Retention in Methadone Treatment

• NCJ Number: 130773
• Author(s): S Hume; A Gorta
• Date Published: 1989
• Length: 23 pages
• Corporate Author: New South Wales
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: Australia
• Note: Research Bulletin No. 19

Annotation

A study was conducted to ascertain and examine criminal recidivism rates for inmates released from gaol on the New South Wales prison methadone program up to June 30, 1988 in relation to recidivism rates of a suitable comparison group and in relation to offense rates during a time prior to commencement on the program and to examine retention rates on community methadone programs since release from gaol.

Abstract

Of the total sample of 377 people, 223 fell into two subgroups: the "matched methadone group" of 154 and the "unmatched methadone group" of 69. The remaining 154 people formed a comparison group who were matched with the methadone group on sex, type of release, and date of release as well as having to be drug involved. Of the methadone group, 47.5 percent had been reincarcerated since their release and before July 31, 1988, but the difference between the matched methadone (42.9 percent) and comparison (32.5 percent) groups on this measure was not quite statistically significant. Seventy percent of the methadone group were reconvicted or charged in court since release. There was no difference between the matched methadone and comparison groups on this variable. Of the methadone sample, 33.6 percent were continuously on community methadone programs since their release and up to July 31, 1988; 34.5 percent stopped treatment either of their own accord or involuntarily, and 31.8 percent stopped community treatment due to reincarceration. 7 figures, 21 tables, and 9 references (Author abstract modified)