title: Predictors of therapeutic engagement in prison-based drug treatment.
abstract: Few studies to date have examined predictors of therapeutic engagement (TE) or other indicators of responsiveness to prison drug treatment. Subjects were 347 inmates participating in a 12-month modified therapeutic community (TC) drug treatment program at a specialized treatment prison for convicted, drug-involved offenders. Data were obtained through correctional databases and the administration of the TCU Drug Screen II, the Resident Evaluation of Self and Treatment (REST), and the Counselor Rating of Client (CRC) form. Three main hypotheses were supported: (1) baseline motivation predicted therapeutic engagement net of other inmate characteristics; (2) critical dimensions of the treatment experience (e.g., peer support, counselor rapport) also predicted therapeutic engagement; and (3) dynamic predictors and programmatic characteristics became more important over time. Implications for research, theory and policy are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Criminal Justice, 5th Floor, Gladfelter Hall (025-02), 11th St. and Berks Mall, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, United States. wwelsh@temple.edu
authors.forename: Wayne N
authors.initials: WN
authors.lastname: Welsh
authors.forename: Patrick N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: McGrain
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011330:Prisons / Q000458:organization & administration; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D015397:Program Evaluation; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers / Q000458:organization & administration; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy*; D013808:Therapeutic Community