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Heroin Addiction and Related Clinical Problems: 2017, 19, N2 (pages: 49 - 58)

Psychological Changes among Male Drug Dependent Offenders in a Prison-Based Therapeutic Community Programme

Powis B., Randhawa K., and Gossop M.

Summary: Background. Therapeutic communities have been found to be an effective intervention for drug dependent prisoners but little is known about the psychological mechanisms for change during treatment. Aims. The study investigates changes in locus of control, and in attitudes and beliefs about criminal behaviours among drug dependent offenders in a prison-based therapeutic community programme. Methods. Prospective, longitudinal study of 406 adult male, drug dependent offenders who entered a prison hierarchical TC programme. The programme duration was approximately 12 months, with 3 phases, induction, primary, and re-entry. Data were collected on demographics, substance use history, severity of drug dependence (SDS), criminal history, and risk of reoffending: main measures were Locus of Control (LOC), and Criminal Sentiments Scale-Modified (CSS-M). Results. Statistically significant reductions were found across each stage of the TC programme with regard to personal responsibility (LOC), and for antisocial cognitions (CSS-M). No differences in responses were found between the heroin-dependent and cocaine-dependent offenders. No difference was found between heroin-dependent and cocaine-dependent offenders in programme completion rates. Conclusions. Psychological changes occurred sequentially as drug-dependent offenders progressed through the TC phases, which are consistent with the TC model of change and programme goals and the study provides encouraging evidence about the impact of prison-based TCs. Relatively little is known about the processes that are responsible for change during treatment, and the present findings add to this literature. Identifying and measuring changes in the individual during treatment is important when examining the factors that promote effective interventions.