Research That Matters (January 17 - 20, 2008)

Background: The number of women in the criminal justice system as a consequence of drug and alcohol problems has increased dramatically since 1990, significantly exceeding rate changes among men. Up to 74% used drugs regularly before arrest, and 40-50% report being under the influence of drugs when arrested. More is understood about women in prison than jailed women, although over 80% of incarceration involves jail. This qualitative study serves as the first step in mixed methods research bringing evidence-informed alcohol and drug screening, assessment, motivational interviewing and targeted referral services to women in jail and as they re-enter the community. The study represents “social work research that matters” in light of the profound roles that jailed women's substance problems play in their own lives and the lives of their children and families. The data come from focus groups with women in jail and recently released from jail, and structured interviews with service delivery providers in the community. Methods: Women participants who self-identify as having substance problems were recruited for two focus groups, resulting in eight “in jail” and sixteen “community re-entry” participants ranging in age, ethnicity, and offense level. A social work researcher served as the group facilitator and a team of social work interns and project staff assisted in session note and audio recording, administering consent, and integrating/cross checking the real-time written notes, audio tapes, and audio transcriptions. The sessions addressed the role of substance use in being incarcerated, how the service delivery system in the community and jail services helped/failed to help the women, and ideas for improving the system. Structured interviews were conducted with each of fourteen members of a community provider advisory coalition formed for study intervention development and implementation. Questions related to the service delivery system opportunities and barriers for serving jailed women with substance problems and at re-entry. Results: Themes appearing in the focus group data include: (1) the pervasive impact of substance problems on the women's lives, crimes, and incarceration, including substances used and the criminogenic aspects of using; (2) the women's considerable interest in alcohol/drug treatment services upon release; (3) significant barriers to obtaining treatment in jail, upon release, and when sought prior to arrest; (4) a sense of being disrespected by corrections and some community based programs, and some strong positive relationships with individuals in each sector; (5) significant concerns for the well-being of their children and families; (6) co-occurring problems (partner relationships, health/mental healths, housing, and economic/employment issues); and, (6) frustration with specific policies and poor access to existing resources. The coalition interviews indicated considerable awareness and sensitivity to many of these issues raised by the women, including frustration with poor funding for services and service coordination barriers. The team's considerable challenges with implementing research with a jailed population are also discussed as experiential data. Conclusions: Results are discussed in terms of implications for developing interventions for this population, and related to research measures and methods in this area.