Actively Recruiting
Effectiveness, Implementation, and Cost of Cognitive Processing Therapy in Prisons
Led by University of Arkansas · Updated on 2026-01-21
640
Participants Needed
6
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of Arkansas
Lead Sponsor
N
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating the impact of trauma-focused group therapy (CPT-CJ) adapted for prisons on reducing post-incarceration drug and alcohol use, mental health issues, and drug-related crime among incarcerated adults. This clinical trial also examines the effectiveness of a self-help workbook for trauma recovery, compares implementation strategies, and assesses costs to support future therapy expansion in prisons. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the CPT-CJ group therapy or the trauma-focused self-help workbook. The CPT-CJ group therapy involves up to 12 sessions held one to two times per week, each lasting 90 minutes, with groups of no more than 10 participants. The self-help group will independently complete trauma recovery exercises using a workbook. Therapy will be delivered during incarceration, with treatment periods lasting between six weeks and three months. Participants will complete surveys before treatment, after treatment, before release, and at three and six months post-release. They will also provide urine samples three and six months after release. Researchers will measure drug use frequency, posttraumatic stress symptoms, treatment adherence, and drug-related crime. Prison staff and officials involved in implementing the therapy will also participate in surveys. The study aims to enroll 640 participants across approximately 10 prisons in five states.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Effectiveness, Implementation, and Cost of Cognitive Processing Therapy in Prisons
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- 18 years of age or older
- Able to understand and speak English
- Able to give informed consent
- Currently incarcerated in one of the partnering prisons
- Met criteria for drug use disorder in the year before current incarceration
- Used drugs in the 30 days before current incarceration
- Have experienced a traumatic event
- Have significant posttraumatic stress symptoms (score 2424 4 on PC-PTSD-5)
- Expected to remain incarcerated long enough to complete the therapy (about 3 months)
- Expected to be released within 12 months after treatment ends
- Willing to be randomly assigned to a treatment group
You will not qualify if you...
- Unable to provide locator information for follow-up after release
- Releasing too soon to complete therapy
- Have scheduling conflicts or facility restrictions preventing therapy participation (unless expected to resolve before next treatment group)
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 screening and enrollment visit
Duration - Up to 12 sessions held 1-2 times per week over about 6 to 12 weeks
Participants receive either group cognitive processing therapy or individual trauma-focused self-help using a workbook to learn skills to recover from trauma.
Up to 12 therapy sessions, 1-2 times per week
Duration - Up to 6 months post-release from prison
Participants are followed after treatment ends to assess outcomes including drug use, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and other health and behavioral measures up to 6 months post-release from prison.
Follow-up visits at approximately 2 weeks post-treatment, pre-release (~3 days before release), and at 3 and 6 months post-release
Trial Site Locations
Total: 6 locations
1
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Little Rock, Arkansas, United States, 72205
Not Yet Recruiting
2
Northeast Arkansas Community Corrections Center (NEACC)
Osceola, Arkansas, United States, 72370
Actively Recruiting
3
Southwest Arkansas Community Correction Center
Texarkana, Arkansas, United States, 71854
Actively Recruiting
4
East Central Arkansas Community Correction Center
West Memphis, Arkansas, United States, 72301
Actively Recruiting
5
North Dakota State Penitentiary (NDSP)
Bismarck, North Dakota, United States, 58501
Actively Recruiting
6
Heart River Correctional Center (HRCC)
Bismarck, North Dakota, United States, 58502
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
M
Melissa J Zielinski, PhD
M
Mollee K Smith Steely, PhD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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