| Objective: The Community Center for Alternative Programs (CCAP) is a jail alternative program that aims to reduce criminal recidivism. It is recognized that mental health and substance use disorders increase one's chances of recidivating. This study sought to determine the prevalence of mental health disorders and substance use disorders overall and by type across socio-demographic subgroups, gender, race/ethnicity, and age among CCAP participants.;Methods: Adult offenders who engaged in court-mandated CCAP services from November, 2010 to December, 2011 were included. The prevalence of any mental health and substance use disorders was described overall and across subgroups, gender, race/ethnicity, and age, and the prevalence of type of mental health and substance use disorders was described overall and across subgroups. Comparisons across subgroups were all completed using chi-square tests of independence.;Results: Among 908 CCAP participants, 31% had a mental health diagnosis, and 47% had a substance use disorder. Mood disorders were the most prevalent type of mental health disorder, and alcohol use disorders were the most prevalent type of substance use disorder. Prevalence for any and each type of mental health and substance use disorder varied across subgroups.;Conclusions: High prevalence of mental health and substance use disorders indicate such disorders should be prioritized in jail alternative programs. Variance across socio-demographic subgroups suggests that it may be beneficial to consider subgroups in approaches to mental health and substance use treatment. |
