title: The effectiveness of interactive journaling in reducing recidivism among substance-dependent jail inmates.
abstract: The present study sought to evaluate the influence of interactive journaling on criminal recidivism and identify significant predictors of recidivism among a sample of 183 male inmates incarcerated in a local jail facility randomly assigned to either an interactive journaling condition or a control group. All participants met DSM-IV-TR criteria for substance dependence, had their current offense indicate substance involvement, and had a minimum of one previous arrest in the prior 12 months. The recidivism rate (51%), in terms of subsequent bookings within a 12-month period, for the journaling group was significantly lower than the recidivism rate (66%) for the control group, χ(2)(1, 183) = 4.13, p < .05. The three most significant independent predictors of subsequent bookings were severity of posttraumatic stress disorder, group assignment (journaling vs. placebo), and employment status. Interactive journaling appears to show promise as a brief treatment intervention strategy for substance dependence in local jail settings and may have the potential for reducing recidivism.
authors.affiliation: Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, USA.
authors.forename: Steven L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Proctor
authors.forename: Norman G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Allison
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004651:Employment; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011329:Prisoners; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014956:Writing; D055815:Young Adult