Specialized Substance Abuse Supervision (SSAS) Versus Non-SSAS Recidivism Rates Among Nebraska Felony Drug Offenders

Sponsor

University of Nebraska (Other)

Overall Status

Completed

CT.gov ID

NCT00690352

Collaborator

(none)

344

Enrollment

Location

5.7

Duration (Months)

60.9

Patients Per Site Per Month

Study Details

Study Description

Brief Summary

This social science study hypothesizes that convicted felony drug offenders in Nebraska who participated in Specialized Substance Abuse Supervision (SSAS) as part of their probation or parole showed significantly better outcomes (specifically, less recidivism) at six months post-entrance to SSAS compared to those who did not participate in SSAS.

Condition or Disease	Intervention/Treatment	Phase
Substance-related Disorders Alcohol-related Disorders	Behavioral: Specialized Substance Abuse Supervision (SSAS)

Detailed Description

Since March 2006, Specialized Substance Abuse Supervision (SSAS) has been available at five sites in Nebraska as an enhancement of probation and parole for felony drug offenders whose scores on initial screening instruments warrant such placement. SSAS enhancements to traditional probation and parole include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in groups; use of incentives; positive reinforcement; and motivational interviewing.

Records of probationers and parolees who participated in SSAS starting anytime between March 1, 2006 and February 28, 2007 were studied to assess recidivism rates. Recidivism for this study is defined as "an arrest and conviction on a new charge while on probation or parole."

The records of a matched control group of non-SSAS probationers and parolees who entered probation or parole during the same time period with similar drug felony offenses and similar screening scores were also studied. Control group was also matched, as much as possible, with similar age group, demographic data, rural/urban residence, and level of felony offense.

Investigators performed a statistical analysis to determine recidivism rates at six months post-entrance to SSAS (and for the control group, at six months post-entrance to probation or parole).

Study Design

Study Type:

Observational

Actual Enrollment :

344 participants

Observational Model:

Case-Control

Time Perspective:

Retrospective

Official Title:

Comparing Recidivism Rates of Felony Drug Offenders in Nebraska Who Were Sentenced to, and/or Participated in, Specialized Substance Abuse Supervision (SSAS) to Those Without SSAS

Study Start Date :

Mar 1, 2008

Actual Primary Completion Date :

Jul 6, 2008

Actual Study Completion Date :

Aug 20, 2008

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

Recidivism [6 months]
Recidivism [6 months]
The primary outcome measure was the proportion of individuals who re-offend during the six months following sentencing. Secondary outcomes measures included the percentages who violated probation during the six months following sentencing, were incarcerated for those violations, had positive drug screens and were employed at six months.

Eligibility Criteria

Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study:

17 Years and Older

Sexes Eligible for Study:

All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

Inclusion Criteria:

convicted felony drug offender
sentenced in Nebraska
probationer or parolee
entered probation or parole or SSAS between March 1, 2006 and February 28, 2007

Exclusion Criteria:

convicted felony drug offender sentenced in Nebraska starting probation or parole between March 1, 2006 and February 28, 2007 who does not match SSAS probationers/parolees in terms of age, demographics, urban v. rural residence, and/or class of felony drug offense.