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. 2011 Sep;7(3):225-253.
doi: 10.1007/s11292-011-9123-y. Epub 2011 Apr 21.

A multi-site, randomized study of strengths-based case management with substance-abusing parolees

Michael Prendergast, Linda Frisman, Joann Y Sacks, Michele Staton-Tindall, Lisa Greenwell, Hsiu-Ju Lin, Jerry Cartier

A multi-site, randomized study of strengths-based case management with substance-abusing parolees

Michael Prendergast et al. J Exp Criminol. 2011 Sep.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To test whether strengths-based case management provided during an inmate's transition from incarceration to the community increases participation in community substance abuse treatment, enhances access to needed social services, and improves drug use, crime, and HIV risk outcomes. METHODS: In a multi-site trial, inmates (men and women) in four states (n = 812) were randomly assigned (within site) to receive either Transitional Case Management (TCM group), based on strengths-based principles, or standard parole services (SR group). Data were collected at baseline and at 3 and 9 months following release from prison. Analyses compared the two groups with respect to services received and to drug use, crime, and HIV risk behavior outcomes. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between parolees in the TCM group and the SR group on outcomes related to participation in drug abuse treatment, receipt of social services, or drug use, crime, and HIV risk behaviors. For specific services (e.g., residential treatment, mental health), although significant differences were found for length of participation or for number of visits, the number of participants in these services was small and the direction of effect was not consistent. CONCLUSION: In contrast to positive findings in earlier studies of strengths-based case management with mental-health and drug-abuse clients, this study found that case management did not improve treatment participation or behavioral outcomes for parolees with drug problems. The discussion includes possible reasons for the findings and suggestions for modifications to the intervention that could be addressed in future research.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flowchart of participants in TCM study. Due to a randomization error, one participant randomized to the SR group was placed in the TCM group. No post-release participation = participants who were not released from prison in time to participate in parole or TCM services and those who paroled to a county or state where TCM services were not available. One participant assigned to the Standard Referral Group was subsequently found to be a sex offender, an ineligibility criterion. This person is included in the no post-release participation category
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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