Post-Release Experience of Prisoners in Queensland

• NCJ Number: 217150
• Journal: Trends & Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice Issue: 325 Dated: September 2006 Pages: 1-6
• Author(s): Stuart A. Kinner
• Date Published: September 2006
• Length: 6 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: Australia
• Note: AIC Trends & Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice, No. 325, September 2006.

Annotation

This study examined the predictors of reincarceration and explored the patterns of drug and alcohol use, mental health status, and socioeconomic status among recently released prisoners in Australia.

Abstract

Key findings indicated that in the 12 weeks prior to incarceration, over a third of participants reported harmful levels of alcohol consumption and 92 percent reported a history of illicit drug use. At the prerelease interview, scheduled 4 weeks prior to release, many participants had yet to make housing and income arrangements and the majority of participants reported the intention to use one or more illicit substances following release. Postrelease interviews, which occurred on average at 34 days and 120 days following release, revealed a significant relationship between postrelease program drop-out rates and drug use history, and prerelease psychological distress. At followup 1, 64 percent of males and 37 percent of females reported illicit drug use while at followup 2, 61 percent of males and 46 percent of females reported illicit drug use. Ex-prisoners, particularly males, reported evidence of both physical and mental health impairments and both males and females reported a decline in physical health following release. At 340 days following release, 19.4 percent of participants had been reincarcerated. Offenders who were reincarcerated were more likely to be male, to have a history of injection drug use, and to report the expectation to use drugs following release from prison. Given the obvious connection between substance abuse and criminality, appropriate treatment for both substance abuse and mental health should be provided to all inmates, even those serving short sentences. The study also highlights the importance of throughcare once offenders are released into the community. Participants were 108 male and 52 female adult prisoners recruited though a convenience sample of an Australian prison. Participants were interviewed prior to their release from custody as well as at two points following their release. Interviews focused on risk taking behaviors, postrelease expectations and plans, substance use, and physical and mental health. Tables, figures, references