Newswise reported March 13 that a researcher who spoke with 20 released prisoners who reoffended and were jailed again found that all of the interviewees said they had relapsed on alcohol or other drugs, and 15 blamed drugs for landing them back behind bars. The prisoners also identified drugs as the most significant barrier they faced to successful reintegration into society.

"Treatment for substance abuse is vital to reduce the recidivism rate," said study leader Lindsay A. Phillips of Albright College in Reading, Pa.

All of the prisoners were enrolled in prison treatment programs and said the programs were helpful, but said they felt disconnected from post-release treatment services. Two of the prisoners relapsed within hours of being released from prison, Phillips found, nine relapsed before ever looking for a job, and four blamed frustration over their lack of job prospects for their relapse.

"This research clearly supports aftercare and the need for increased coordination between treatment and criminal justice systems, because there was a sense of disconnection from other people and the community that emerged as a theme for participants," said Phillips.

"If reentry programs focus solely on case management and job attainment they will miss the vital role of substance abuse treatment and referral. This research not only identifies substance abuse treatment as imperative to successful reentry, but actually places the priority of this treatment above other commonly used strategies within the criminal-justice system."