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Benefits and costs of substance abuse treatment programs for state prison inmates: results from a lifetime simulation model

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  • Gary A. Zarkin
  • Alexander J. Cowell
  • Katherine A. Hicks
  • Michael J. Mills
  • Steven Belenko
  • Laura J. Dunlap
  • Kimberly A. Houser
  • Vince Keyes

Abstract

Reflecting drug use patterns and criminal justice policies throughout the 1990s and 2000s, prisons hold a disproportionate number of society's drug abusers. Approximately 50% of state prisoners meet the criteria for a diagnosis of drug abuse or dependence, but only 10% receive medically based drug treatment. Because of the link between substance abuse and crime, treating substance abusing and dependent state prisoners while incarcerated has the potential to yield substantial economic benefits. In this paper, we simulate the lifetime costs and benefits of improving prison‐based substance abuse treatment and post‐release aftercare for a cohort of state prisoners. Our model captures the dynamics of substance abuse as a chronic disease; estimates the benefits of substance abuse treatment over individuals' lifetimes; and tracks the costs of crime and criminal justice costs related to policing, adjudication, and incarceration. We estimate net societal benefits and cost savings to the criminal justice system of the current treatment system and five policy scenarios. We find that four of the five policy scenarios provide positive net societal benefits and cost savings to the criminal justice system relative to the current treatment system. Our study demonstrates the societal gains to improving the drug treatment system for state prisoners. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Suggested Citation

  • Gary A. Zarkin & Alexander J. Cowell & Katherine A. Hicks & Michael J. Mills & Steven Belenko & Laura J. Dunlap & Kimberly A. Houser & Vince Keyes, 2012. "Benefits and costs of substance abuse treatment programs for state prison inmates: results from a lifetime simulation model," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 21(6), pages 633-652, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:hlthec:v:21:y:2012:i:6:p:633-652
    DOI: 10.1002/hec.1735
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Auerhahn, Kathleen, 2008. "Dynamic systems simulation analysis: A planning tool for the new century," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 36(4), pages 293-300, August.
    2. Gary A. Zarkin & Laura J. Dunlap & Katherine A. Hicks & Daniel Mamo, 2005. "Benefits and costs of methadone treatment: results from a lifetime simulation model," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 14(11), pages 1133-1150, November.
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    1. Silbernagl, Marisa & Slamanig, Rudolf & Fischer, Gabriele & Brandt, Laura, 2018. "Hepatitis C infection and psychiatric burden in two imprisoned cohorts: Young offenders and opioid-maintained prisoners," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 122(12), pages 1392-1402.
    2. Murphy, David M.A., 2023. "Sobriety, social capital, and village network structures," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 166(C).
    3. Alison Ritter & Nagesh Shukla & Marian Shanahan & Phuong Van Hoang & Vu Lam Cao & Pascal Perez & Michael Farrell, 2016. "Building a Microsimulation Model of Heroin Use Careers in Australia," International Journal of Microsimulation, International Microsimulation Association, vol. 9(3), pages 140-176.
    4. Kevin N. Griffith & Lawrence M. Scheier, 2013. "Did We Get Our Money’s Worth? Bridging Economic and Behavioral Measures of Program Success in Adolescent Drug Prevention," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-28, November.
    5. Cowell, Alexander J. & Hinde, Jesse M. & Broner, Nahama & Aldridge, Arnie P., 2013. "The impact on taxpayer costs of a jail diversion program for people with serious mental illness," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 31-37.

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