What is it about?
People who are incarcerated frequently have substance use and mental health disorders. We review existing, effective treatments and discuss our experience with graduate students in clinical psychology implementing a treatment program in a local, rural jail. We report on positive ratings provided by the incarcerated individuals with whom we worked, and we make recommendations for future research and practice.
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Why is it important?
In the United States, over one million people are incarcerated, and most of them experience substance use or mental health disorders. Black and Latine communities are particularly over-represented in corrections, due to systemically racist policies and practices related to drug-policing. Evidence demonstrates that treatment can be effective, and we show that graduate students in clinical psychology can deliver treatment that is well received.
Perspectives
This treatment program was designed and implemented by graduate students, mentors, and community partners with a dedication to rehabilitation among incarcerated people. Mass incarceration in the United States is devastating, particularly to communities of color. It is our hope that more psychologists in training get involved in working with those under correctional supervision and support efforts towards prevention and treatment. We encourage the prioritization of intervention over continued, disproportionate criminalization of mental health and substance use, particularly among marginalized communities.
Amanda Falcón
University of Vermont
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: A graduate training protocol to provide evidence-based treatment for substance use and co-occurring disorders in rural correctional facilities: Process and lessons learned., Training and Education in Professional Psychology, January 2024, American Psychological Association (APA),
DOI: 10.1037/tep0000471.
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