A cross-sectional study of correlates of imprisonment in opioid-dependent men and women in New South Wales, Australia

Sarah Larney, Elena Cama, Elliot Nelson, Briony Larance, Louisa Degenhardt

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Introduction and Aims: Involvement in the criminal justice system is common among opioid-dependent people. This study aimed to determine prevalence and adolescent-onset correlates of adult imprisonment among opioid-dependent men and women in New South Wales, Australia. Design and Methods: Participants were recruited from opioid substitution therapy clinics and completed a face-to-face, structured interview. Data were collected on demographic characteristics, family history, substance dependence and psychiatric disorders. Adolescent-onset correlates of adult incarceration (including interactions with gender) were examined using logistic regression. Results: Opioid-dependent men were significantly more likely than opioid-dependent women to report adult imprisonment (66% vs 40%; P < 0.001). In a multivariable logistic regression model, older age, male gender, having completed high school education only, having dependent children or living independently prior to age 18 years, a history of juvenile detention and adolescent-onset opioid dependence were all significantly associated with increased odds of adult imprisonment. Adolescent-onset depression was associated with a halving of odds of adult imprisonment. The only variable for which we observed an interaction with gender was juvenile detention, which had a significantly greater impact on the odds of imprisonment for men than women. Discussion and Conclusions: More than half of this sample of opioid dependent adults had a history of imprisonment. Variables that are associated with imprisonment in the general population, such as childhood maltreatment, were not important in predicting imprisonment in this sample. Further study is required to understand the interaction between sex and juvenile detention in predicting adult imprisonment. [Larney S, Cama E, Nelson E, Larance B, Degenhardt L. A cross-sectional study of correlates of imprisonment in opioid-dependent men and women in New South Wales, Australia. Drug Alcohol Rev 2016;35:686-692].

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)686-692
Number of pages7
JournalDrug and Alcohol Review
Volume35
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1 2016

Keywords

  • juvenile detention
  • opioid dependence
  • prison
  • sex difference
  • substance use disorder

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A cross-sectional study of correlates of imprisonment in opioid-dependent men and women in New South Wales, Australia'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this