Award Date

1-1-2005

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Psychology

First Committee Member

Douglas Ferraro

Number of Pages

121

Abstract

Individuals with both a mental illness and substance use disorder (i.e., dual diagnoses) are over represented and underserved in state prisons. Without treatment, inmates with dual diagnoses (DD) are at an increased risk for a variety of negative outcomes, including re-incarceration. Unfortunately, few prison-based treatment programs are designed to meet the special needs of these inmates, and none are empirically supported. Various researchers have stressed the importance of incorporating criminogenic needs into treatment programs to reduce recidivism. The criminogenic needs of inmates with DD have gone largely unstudied. Utilizing a bottom-up approach, the present study offered a first look at criminogenic needs for this population. Additionally, this research sought to characterize "treatment as usual" in prison for these inmates in order to estimate whether and how criminogenic needs are being addressed. Participants included 35 inmates with DD who completed assessments and interviews designed to explore criminogenic needs and treatments received while incarcerated. Record reviews were also conducted. Integrated results of quantitative and qualitative analyses revealed the following categories of criminogenic needs: Substance Misuse, Interpersonal Deficits, Mental Illness, Deficits in Cognitive Processing, Adherence to Criminal Subculture, and Unmet Basic Needs. Treatment received by participants tended to rely mainly on pharmacological methods, and often did not directly address many of the identified criminogenic needs.

Keywords

Considerations; Criminogenic; Diagnoses; Dual; Inmates; Needs; Treatment

Controlled Subject

Clinical psychology; Criminology

File Format

pdf

File Size

2723.84 KB

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

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