Trauma therapy in prison to reduce drug use after release

This trial is testing whether a trauma-focused group therapy called Cognitive Processing Therapy for the Criminal Justice system (CPT-CJ) can help people who are incarcerated and struggling with both trauma and substance use disorders. The therapy teaches people how trauma affects their thoughts and feelings, and gives them skills to recover. The study will compare this group therapy to a self-help workbook approach and track whether either approach helps reduce drug use, mental health problems, and crime after people are released from prison.

Many people in prison have experienced serious trauma and have substance use disorders, which are linked to higher rates of relapse and repeat offenses after release. However, trauma treatment is rarely available in prisons, and we don't yet know whether providing this treatment while people are incarcerated can actually improve their lives and reduce crime after they leave.