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

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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.

Detailed Description
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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).

Official Title
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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

Conditions
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Substance-related Disorders, Alcohol-related Disorders

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Specialized Substance Abuse Supervision (SSAS)


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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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.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 17 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Intervention/Treatment |
| --- |
|Behavioral: Specialized Substance Abuse Supervision (SSAS)|Six months participation in SSAS which may include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in groups; use of incentives, positive reinforcement, and/or motivational interviewing.|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Recidivism | Proportion of individuals who re-offend during the six months following sentencing | 6 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Probation Violation | Percentage of individuals who violated probation during the six months following sentencing | 6 months | 
| Probation violation with incarceration | Percentage of individuals who violated probation and were incarcerated during the six months following sentencing | 6 months | 
| Positive drug screens | Percentage of individuals with positive drug screens during the six months following sentencing | 6 months | 
| Employed | Percentage of individuals employed during the six months following sentencing | 6 months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Specialized Substance Abuse Supervision, SSAS, substance use disorder, felony drug offender, probation, parole, cognitive behavioral therapy, CBT