Leaving The Gang: A Review And Thoughts On Future Research, Dena C. Carson, J. Michael Vecchio
Oct 2017
Leaving The Gang: A Review And Thoughts On Future Research, Dena C. Carson, J. Michael Vecchio
J. Michael Vecchio
Researchers have examined aspects of gangs and their members for almost a century. This work, however, focuses primarily on youth prior to joining as well as during gang involvement. While comparatively less is known about the leaving processes, work in this area has been increasing in recent years. This chapter will discuss the growing body of research on the processes associated with leaving the gang. Specifically, it will review difficulties associated with defining gang desistance, theoretical perspectives on desistance, variations in motives, methods, and consequences of leaving, barriers to desistance, as well as make recommendations for policy and future research.
Therapeutic Engagement As A Predictor Of Retention In Adolescent Tc Treatment, Sami Abdel-Salam, Whitney Decamp
Dec 2013
Therapeutic Engagement As A Predictor Of Retention In Adolescent Tc Treatment, Sami Abdel-Salam, Whitney Decamp
Whitney DeCamp
The adolescent drug problem places a huge toll on society and a heavy burden on the criminal justice system. Research regarding the benefits of therapeutic community treatment for adolescents has shown them to be effective. Despite the ability of therapeutic communities to lower drug relapse and reduce criminality, a great deal remains unknown in terms of how the process of treatment actually works for adolescents. Using data collected as part of the Drug Abuse Treatment Outcomes Studies – Adolescents, this study examines the relationship between therapeutic engagement and treatment retention. The primary findings are that measures of therapeutic engagement had …
Spirituality And Desistance From Substance Use Among Reentering Offenders, Nicholas W. Bakken, Whitney Decamp, Christy A. Visher
Dec 2013
Spirituality And Desistance From Substance Use Among Reentering Offenders, Nicholas W. Bakken, Whitney Decamp, Christy A. Visher
Whitney DeCamp
Prior research has indicated an inverse relationship between religion and criminal behavior, however few studies have specifically examined the effect of spirituality on the desistance process among a contemporary and diverse sample of reentering drug-involved offenders. A comprehensive understanding of how spirituality is related to desistance from substance use can lead to more effective and evidence-based preventive and rehabilitative interventions. Using data from a longitudinal study of 920 diverse offenders returning to the community after a period of incarceration, the current study examines three distinct forms of substance use (alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine) to gauge the effect that spirituality plays …
Therapeutic Engagement And Post-Treatment Substance Use In Adolescent Tc Clients: Direct And Indirect Effects, Whitney Decamp, Sami Abdel-Salam
Dec 2013
Therapeutic Engagement And Post-Treatment Substance Use In Adolescent Tc Clients: Direct And Indirect Effects, Whitney Decamp, Sami Abdel-Salam
Whitney DeCamp
The problem of adolescent drug use places a huge toll on society and a heavy burden on the criminal justice system. Despite the ability of therapeutic communities to lower drug relapse, a great deal remains unknown in terms of how the process of treatment actually works for adolescents. Using data collected as part of the Drug Abuse Treatment Outcomes Studies – Adolescents, this study examines the direct and indirect relationship between therapeutic engagement and post-treatment substance use. Though there are few direct effects from therapeutic engagement on substance use, findings suggest that those more engaged in treatment are more likely …
Fatherhood, Community Reintegration, And Successful Outcomes, Christy A. Visher, Nicholas W. Bakken, Whitney Decamp
Dec 2012
Fatherhood, Community Reintegration, And Successful Outcomes, Christy A. Visher, Nicholas W. Bakken, Whitney Decamp
Whitney DeCamp
Prior research indicates that assuming family roles, such as parent or spouse, can aid in the transition from prison to the community and has been linked to positive outcomes after a period of confinement. Using data from a longitudinal study of men returning to the community after incarceration, this study examines how the relationship between fathers and their children immediately after release may impact aspects of fathers’ lives that are important to a successful reentry transition in the first year, such as employment, abstinence from substance abuse, and mental health. Analyses show that fathers who lived with children before incarceration …
Desisting From Prescription Drug Abuse: An Application Of Growth Models To Rx Opioid Users, Whitney Decamp, Steven P. Kurtz, Nicholas W. Bakken, Daniel J. O’Connell
Dec 2011
Desisting From Prescription Drug Abuse: An Application Of Growth Models To Rx Opioid Users, Whitney Decamp, Steven P. Kurtz, Nicholas W. Bakken, Daniel J. O’Connell
Whitney DeCamp
Modern desistance research has examined many facets of desistance, both in terms of theoretical predictors of desistance and recidivism, and in terms of differing types of offending. Though predicting desistance from illegal drug use is among these topics, no research to date has examined the predictors of desisting from prescription opioid abuse. This study uses longitudinal data from 318 prescription opioid users to analyze the effects of various predictors of desistance on declining nonmedical prescription opioid use, with an emphasis on gender differences among participants. Results indicate theoretical and demographic characteristics correspond with differing rates of decline and further vary …
