Objectives: We evaluated the effectiveness of the Community Relapse Prevention and Maintenance (CRPM) program, developed by Correctional Service Canada to better meet the needs of women offenders with drug problems.
Methods: Using survival analysis, we investigated the association between exposure and nonexposure to CRPM and return to custody among a national sample of women offenders released from 1 of 6 federal institutions across Canada during the period May 1, 1998 to August 31, 2007.
Results: After control for other risk factors, women who were not exposed to CRPM were 10 times more likely than were women exposed to CRPM to return to custody 1 year after release from prison, with more than a third returning to prison within the first 6 months.
Conclusions: Aftercare is a critical component of a woman's support system after she leaves prison. Strategies that improve access to community aftercare are imperative for improving the life chances and health of these women.