Dual diagnosis and reincarceration among Indigenous people

This project involves secondary analysis of globally unique data from the Health After Release from Prison (HARP) cohort study, a multi-jurisdictional, prospective cohort study that includes 1000 Indigenous women (n=250) and men (n=750) followed for more than 7 years after release from prisons in QLD and WA. Rich baseline survey and medical record data have been linked, retrospectively and prospectively, with state health and correctional records, and with national death records. We will follow the cohort for more than 7 years after release from prison, through linked health and correctional records. Our data analysis will be guided and supported by consultations and focus groups with Indigenous people who have lived experience of incarceration.

Our Aims are to:

Estimate the prevalence of substance use disorder, mental illness, and dual diagnosis among incarcerated Indigenous people.
Identify risk and protective factors for reincarceration among Indigenous people released from prison, with a focus on the impact of dual diagnosis and associated service system contacts.
Harness the expertise of Indigenous people with lived experience of incarceration, to facilitate interpretation and inform translation of our findings into policy and practice.

This project is co-led by Dr Jocelyn Jones, a Nyoongar woman who has extensive experience working to improve health and justice outcomes for Aboriginal people.

Funding: Australian Institute of Criminology

Project team: Dr Jocelyn Jones, Prof Stuart Kinner, Prof David Preen, Dr Jesse Young, A/Prof Ed Heffernan, Ms Louise Southalan; Dr Darcy Coulter, Mr Alex Campbell