Violence victimisation among people released from prison

Ms Melissa Willoughby1,2, Ms Claire  Keen1, Dr Jesse  Young1,2, A/Prof Matthew  Spittal1, A/Prof Rohan  Borschmann1,2, Ms  Emilia  Janca1, Prof Stuart  Kinner1,2

1The University Of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
2Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia

Background: People who have had contact with the criminal justice system are also likely to have been a victim of crime, including from violence. We examined the incidence and predictors of violence victimisation after release from prison, and investigated differences according to sex and Indigenous status

Methods: Baseline data were collected from 1,325 people within six weeks of release from prisons in Queensland, Australia (2008-2010). Data were linked to health, death and prison records until July 2012. Predictors were identified using a multivariable Andersen-Gill model. Differences according to sex and Indigenous status were investigated using effect modification.

Results: 225 (18.2%) people experienced 410 violence victimisation events that were recorded in health records. The incidence was 12.8 per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval [95%CI] 11.7, 14.1). Risk factors included diagnosed mental illness (hazard ratio [HR]=2.0, 95%CI 1.0, 3.9), substance use disorder (HR=1.6, 95%CI 1.1, 2.4) or dual diagnosis (HR=3.3, 95%CI 2.2, 4.9); high-risk alcohol use (HR=2.0, 95%CI 1.4, 2.7); being Indigenous (HR=1.8, 95%CI 1.2, 2.5); and two or more prison releases (HR=1.8, 95%CI 1.2, 2.7). Indigenous status modified the risk of violence victimisation, with Indigenous men having a greater risk of non-Indigenous men (HR=1.9, 95%CI 1.3, 2.8).

Conclusions: Approximately 1 in 5 people released from prisons in Queensland, Australia experienced violence victimisation. Co-ordinated and continuous mental health and substance use treatment from prison to the community may reduce the risk of violence victimisation in this population.

Learning Objectives: We will provide previously unavailable evidence on violence victimisation among people released from prison and will discuss implications for prison release health planning.


Biography:

Melissa Willoughby is an early career researcher specialising in violence prevention and the health of marginalised populations with expertise in quantitative and qualitative methods. She is a PhD Candidate at the University of Melbourne examining violence-related deaths and morbidity among adults and young people involved in the criminal justice system. Melissa is supported by a competitive National Health and Medical Research Council Postgraduate Scholarship. She also holds a Research Assistant position at the Centre for Adolescent Health at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute.

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