Mechanisms behind Substance Abuse and Rugby. Lessons from a Field Experiment with Incarcerated Offenders

Cid, Alejandro and Castleton, Alexander (2012): Mechanisms behind Substance Abuse and Rugby. Lessons from a Field Experiment with Incarcerated Offenders. Published in: Revista Desarrollo y Sociedad , Vol. 1, No. 69 (2012): pp. 73-97.

Abstract

There are a broad range of rehabilitation programs but results differ significantly among them, from positive to no-effect programs –and even to negative-effect programs. Hence, in order to guide policy, it is necessary to find out the features that should be present in programs for inmates to guarantee positive effects. We used a random assignment to evaluate an innovative rehabilitation program –rugby classes offered by players of the national team- for incarcerated offenders in an overcrowded prison in Uruguay. We find the program positively influences inmates’ behavior, lowering the consumption of drugs. Also, studying the mechanisms behind these findings, our results suggest that the program fosters healthier conduct and positive social attitudes. After studying the criminogenic attitudes addressed by this rugby program, we suggest lines for policy.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: prison; rehabilitation; impact evaluation; randomized experiment
• Subjects: I - Health, Education, and Welfare > I2 - Education and Research Institutions > I28 - Government Policy; I - Health, Education, and Welfare > I3 - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty > I38 - Government Policy ; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs

References

Angrist, J. D. and Pischke, J. (2009). “Mostly Harmless Econometrics. An Empiricist’s Companion.” Princeton University Press.

Asscher, J. J., Deković, M., Prins, P. J. M., van Arum, S. and van der Laan, P.H. (2007). “Implementing Randomized Experiments in Criminal Justice Settings: an Evaluation of Multi-systemic Therapy in the Netherlands.” Journal of Experimental Criminology, 3, pp. 113–129.

Bierie, D., MacKenzie, D. L. and Mitchell, O. (2007). “An Experimental Study of a Therapeutic Boot Camp: Impact on Impulses, Attitudes and Recidivism.” Journal of Experimental Criminology, 3, pp. 221–246.

Bilby, Ch. A. L., Hatcher, R. M., Hollin, C. R., Hounsome, J., McGuire, J. and Palmer, E. J. (2008). “Evaluation of Structured Cognitive–Behavioural Treatment Programmes in Reducing Criminal Recidivism.” Journal of Experimental Criminology, 4, pp. 21–40.

Blumer, H. (1982). “El Interaccionismo Simbólico: Perspectiva y Método.” Hora S.A, Barcelona.

Buehler, J., Petrosino, A. and Turpin-Petrosino, C. (2003). “Scared Straight and Other Juvenile Awareness Programs for Preventing Juvenile Delinquency: A Systematic Review of the Randomized Experimental Evidence.” Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, Vol. 589, Misleading Evidence and Evidence-Led Policy: Making Social Science More Experimental (Sep., 2003), pp. 41 -62.

Chamarro, A., Blasco, T. and Palenzuela, D. L. (1998). “La Práctica del Ejercicio en las Prisiones: Factores Asociados a la Iniciación y al Mantenimiento.” Revista de Psicología del Deporte, 13; pp. 69 – 91.

Farrington, D. P. (2006). “Key Longitudinal-Experimental Studies in Criminology.” Journal of Experimental Criminology, 2, pp. 121–141.

Farrington, D. P. and Welsh, B. C. (2006). “Effectiveness of Family-based Programs to Prevent Delinquency and Later Offending.” Psicothema, 18(3), pp. 596-602.

Farrington, D. P. (2005). “Randomized Experiments in Criminology: What Have We Learned in the Last Two Decades?” Journal of Experimental Criminology, 1, pp. 9–38.

Fornons, D. (2008). “La Práctica Deportiva en la Prisión: Rehabilitación o Evasión”. In: Cantarero et al. Actualidad en el Deporte: Investigación y Aplicación. Actas del XI Congreso de Antropología, n. 1, pp. 215 – 227.

Garcé, A. (2009). “Informe de Actuación y Evaluación del Sistema Penitenciario.” Comisionado Parlamentario Penitenciario, Poder Legislativo, Uruguay.

Jolliffe, D. and Farrington, D. P. (2007). “A Systematic Review of the National and International Evidence on the Effectiveness of Interventions with Violent Offenders.” Ministry of Justice (UK), Research Series 16/07. December 2007. Research Development Statistics (RDS).

Landenberger, N. A. and Lipsey, M. W. (2005). “The Positive Effects of Cognitive–behavioral Programs for Offenders: A Meta-analysis of Factors Associated with Effective Treatment.” Journal of Experimental Criminology, 1, pp. 451–476.

MacKenzie, D. L., Wilson, D. B., and Mitchell, O. (2007). “Does Incarcerationbased Drug Treatment Reduce Recidivism? A Meta-Analytic Synthesis of the Research.” Journal of Experimental Criminology, 3, 353–375.

Martos García, D., Devís, J. and Sparkes, A. C. (2009). “Deporte entre Rejas: ¿Algo más que Control Social?” Revista Internacional de Sociología. 67(2), pp. 391-412.

Mead, G. H. (1934). “Espíritu, Persona y Sociedad Desde el Punto de Vista del Conductismo Social.” Paidós, Barcelona-Buenos Aires.

Newcombe, R., Shepherd, J. and Watt, K. (2008). “Drunk and Dangerous: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Alcohol Brief Intervention for Violent Offenders.” Journal of Experimental Criminology, 4, pp. 1–19.

Petrosino, A. and Soydan, H. (2005). “The Impact of Program Developers as Evaluators on Criminal Recidivism: Results from Meta-analyses of Experimental and Quasi-experimental Research.” Journal of Experimental Criminology, 1, pp. 435–450.

Phillips, L. A. (2004). “Evaluating the Effects of a Brief Program for Moral Education in a County Jail.” Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 39(2), pp. 59-72.

Viña, E. I. (2011). “Pena Tratamiento y Deportes. En general y el Rugby, en Particular.” En: Primer Seminario Internacional sobre “El Rugby como Herramienta de Tratamiento Penitenciario”. Retrieved from (September 15th. 2011): http://new.pensamientopenal.com.ar/sites/default/files/2011/07/ejecucion02_2.pdf