Factors Associated with Drug-Related Recidivism Among Paroled Amphetamine-Type Stimulant Users in Japan

• Published in: Asian journal of criminology Vol. 15; no. 2; pp. 109 - 122
• Main Authors: Hazama, Kyoko, Katsuta, Satoshi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01-06-2020; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Amphetamines; Correctional treatment programs; Criminal sentences; Criminology and Criminal Justice; Law; Law and Criminolgy; Parole & probation; Parole officers; Political Science; Prisons; Recidivism; Social Sciences; Stimulants; Japan; Drug users; Amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS); Drug-related recidivism; Japan; Parole; Continuing care model
• ISSN: 1871-0131; 1871-014X
• DOI: 10.1007/s11417-019-09299-8

Few studies have used longitudinal data to investigate drug-related recidivism among drug users in Asia. This study examined demographic and background characteristics that predicted drug-related recidivism among paroled amphetamine-type stimulant (ATS) users in Japan who participated in a mandatory educational program throughout their parole period conducted by professional and volunteer probation officers. Analyzing data released in 2017 by the Ministry of Justice in Japan, we reviewed 10-year recidivism rates of 1807 individuals placed on parole in 2003 (1561 men and 246 women, mean age = 37.5 [
SD
= 9.8]). We investigated the possible association between the length of parole and drug-related recidivism in Japan based on the continuing care model for individuals with drug addiction, which has not been previously explored. The results showed a 47.5% drug-related recidivism rate for all participants. Younger age, a higher number of previous prison sentences, a longer prison sentence, shorter parole, and a diagnosis of mental disorders were significantly associated with a higher drug-related recidivism rate. The presence of a higher number of previous prison sentences and a longer prison sentence were risk factors for drug-related recidivism, which suggests that incarcerating ATS users is ineffective for reducing drug-related recidivism. These results indicated a possible application of the continuing care model for assisting ATS users in Japan with further research.