Enhancing Social Support Postincarceration: Results From a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Enhancing Social Support Postincarceration: Results From a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Published: | Author: Carrie Pettus-Davis, Allison Dunnigan, Christopher Veeh, Matthew Owen Howard, Anna M. Scheyett, Amelia Roberts‐Lewis

Over 50% of released prisoners are reincarcerated within 3 years. Social support from loved ones postincarceration significantly reduces the likelihood of reincarceration. Increasingly, intervention developers aim to implement interventions that will enhance the stability of support available. This study responds to gaps in knowledge.

Category: Reentry, Social Support
Using Randomized Controlled Trials to Evaluate Interventions for Releasing Prisoners

Using Randomized Controlled Trials to Evaluate Interventions for Releasing Prisoners

Published: | Author: Carrie Pettus-Davis, Matthew Owen Howard, Allison Dunnigan, Anna M. Scheyett, Amelia Roberts-Lewis

We focus on factors related to sampling frame, participant eligibility, sample size, engagement, and attrition. We conclude with general recommendations related to project delays, compromised research sites, and retention. This article provides guidance based on lessons learned from an RCT of a social support intervention with releasing prisoners and their loved ones. Barriers discussed and recommendations presented here will help interventionists develop and implement RCTs in prison to community contexts.

Category: In-Prison Intervention
Acceptability of a Social Support Intervention for Re-entering Prisoners

Acceptability of a Social Support Intervention for Re-entering Prisoners

Published: | Author: Carrie Pettus-Davis, Matthew Owen Howard, Vithya Murugan, Amelia Roberts-Lewis, Anna M. Scheyett, Claire Botnick, Michelle Vance

A relatively unexplored area of prisoner reentry programs involves actively engaging the prisoner’s naturally occurring social support in the reentry interventions. Most reentering prisoners rely on loved ones for social support, but that support is often fragile. Interventions that strengthen the sustainability of social support are crucial to a successful reentry. This study evaluates the acceptability of a social support intervention for male prisoners with substance-use disorders who are reentering the community. 

Category: Reentry, Social Support, Substance Use
Naturally occurring social support in interventions for former prisoners with substance use disorders: Conceptual framework and program model

Naturally occurring social support in interventions for former prisoners with substance use disorders: Conceptual framework and program model

Published: | Author: Carrie Pettus-Davis, Matthew Owen Howard, Amelia Roberts-Lewis, Anna M. Scheyett

Naturally-occurring social support is underutilized in interventions with former prisoners with substance use disorders. This paper proposes a conceptual framework followed by a program model to inform the development of naturally-occurring social support interventions with former prisoners with substance use disorders.

Category: Reentry, Social Support, Substance Use