Mental Illness and Prison Reentry Intervention in a High Risk Context

University Of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

Research on reentry programs for those with serious mental illness (SMI) leaving jails or prisons has produced mixed results (Chandler &Spicer, 2006), including those for evidence-based treatments (EBT). These interventions occur in the complex nexus of the mental health and criminal justice systems and the effects of the intervention can be facilitated or constrained by the environment in which they operate (Solomon and Draine, 1995;Weisman, Lamberti, &Price, 2004;Smith, Jennings, Cimino, 2010). The goal of this training grant is to develop the knowledge and skills to explore how individual, interpersonal, and environmental factors interact with EBT for persons with SMI and contribute to poor outcomes for this population. Utilizing a multi-informant, multi-perspective framework, the environmental characteristics (policies, resources, or lack of resources) that keep individuals from seeking treatment, engaging with a support system, and returning to drug use;and potentially work to suppress the effects of the intervention will be identified. This information will be used to develop models testing how substance use, social support, and other environmental factors interact with an EBT utilized for persons with SMI leaving prison.