Long-Term Outcomes of a RCT Intervention Study for Women with Violent Crimes

Abstract

Objective: There is scant research on interventions to address the often coexisting factors of trauma-related anger, violent behaviors, and substance misuse among criminal-justice-involved women. Through a multiphase study that included a randomized control trial (RCT), Beyond Violence—a 20-session curriculum-based intervention for women—has shown efficacy in terms of feasibility and short-term outcomes (i.e., mental health and anger symptoms). This study focuses on long-term outcomes, assessing whether the Beyond Violence experimental condition (BV) is more effective than the treatment-as-usual condition (TAU) in reducing recidivism and relapse and enhancing treatment admission one year after prison release. Method: Using a sample of 35 women involved in the RCT, 12 months of follow-up data were extracted from parole officer case notes and state-level administrative databases. Results: Women who received BV were less likely to recidivate than those who received TAU. The odds of women in the BV condition recidivating decreased by 79% compared to the rate for women in the TAU condition. Although women in BV were less likely to relapse (26% vs. 50%), the difference was not statistically significant. Women in BV were less likely to be referred to treatment, but there were no differences in treatment admission. Conclusions: Beyond Violence is a gender-responsive and trauma-informed intervention that has demonstrated stronger short- and long-term outcomes than the TAU condition, with fewer treatment sessions (20 weeks vs. 44). Given consistent findings of efficiency and efficacy for Beyond Violence, replications of these results, with larger samples, are needed.