Study of Trauma-Focused Group Therapy Compared to Self-Help for Reducing Drug Use and Post-Traumatic Stress in Adults in Prison

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.

Effectiveness, Implementation, and Cost of Cognitive Processing Therapy in Prisons