{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,10]],"date-time":"2026-07-10T02:40:56Z","timestamp":1783651256535,"version":"3.55.0"},"reference-count":42,"publisher":"BMJ","issue":"7","funder":[{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100000925","name":"National Health and Medical Research Council","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100000925","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":["bmj.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["BMJ Open"],"accepted":{"date-parts":[[2019,7,1]]},"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2019,7]]},"abstract":"<jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Introduction<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>The rising rate of incarceration in Australia, driven by high reoffending, is a major public health problem. Problematic drug use is associated with increasing rates of reoffending and return to custody of individuals. Throughcare provides support to individuals during imprisonment through to post-release, improving both the transition to community and health outcomes post-incarceration. The aim of this study is to evaluate the Connections Programme (CP) that utilises a throughcare approach for release planning of people in prison with a history of problematic drug use. The study protocol is described.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods and analysis<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Population-based retrospective cohort study. The study will use record linkage of the Connections dataset with 10 other New South Wales (NSW) population datasets on offending, health service utilisation, opioid substitution therapy, pregnancy, birth and mortality. The study includes all patients who were eligible to participate in the CP between January 2008 and December 2015 stratified by patients who were offered CP and eligible patients who were not offered the programme (non-CP (NCP)). Propensity-score matching will be used to appropriately adjust for the observable differences between CP and NCP. The differences between two groups will be examined using appropriate univariate and multivariate analyses. A generalised estimating equation approach, which can deal with repeat outcomes for individuals will be used to examine recidivism, mortality and other health outcomes, including perinatal and infant outcomes. Survival analysis techniques will be used to examine the effect of the CP by sex and Indigenous status on the \u2018time-to\u2019 health-related outcomes after adjusting for potential confounders.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Ethics and dissemination<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Ethical approval was received from the NSW Population and Health Services Research Ethics Committee, the Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network Human Research Ethics Committee, the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council Ethics Committee, the Corrective Services NSW Ethics Committee and the University of Technology Sydney Human Research Ethics Committee.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1136\/bmjopen-2019-030546","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2019,7,25]],"date-time":"2019-07-25T07:35:18Z","timestamp":1564040118000},"page":"e030546","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1136\/crossmarkpolicy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":16,"title":["Recidivism, health and social functioning following release to the community of NSW prisoners with problematic drug use: study protocol of the population-based retrospective cohort study on the evaluation of the Connections Program"],"prefix":"10.1136","volume":"9","author":[{"given":"Elizabeth","family":"Sullivan","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia"},{"name":"Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia"},{"name":"Clinical Business Unit, Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network, Matraville, New South Wales, Australia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Stephen","family":"Ward","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Clinical Business Unit, Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network, Matraville, New South Wales, Australia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Reem","family":"Zeki","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Sarah","family":"Wayland","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Juanita","family":"Sherwood","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Alex","family":"Wang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Faye","family":"Worner","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"WAMINDA South Coast Women\u2019s Health & Welfare Aboriginal Corporation, Nowra, New South Wales, Australia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Sacha","family":"Kendall","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Australian Centre for Public and Population Health Research, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"James","family":"Brown","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Sungwon","family":"Chang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Improving Palliative, Aged and Chronic Care through Clinical Research and Translation (IMPACCT), Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"239","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2019,7,24]]},"reference":[{"key":"2025121411493930000_9.7.e030546.1","unstructured":"Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Prisoners in Australia, 2014 cat. no. 4517.0. Canberra: ABS, 2014."},{"key":"2025121411493930000_9.7.e030546.2","unstructured":"Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Prisoners in Australia, 2018 cat. no. 4517.0. Canberra: ABS, 2018."},{"key":"2025121411493930000_9.7.e030546.3","unstructured":"Walters A , Longhurst S . Overrepresented and overlooked: the crisis of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women\u2019s growing imprisonment. Melbourne: Human Rights Law Centre and Change the Record Coalition, 2017."},{"key":"2025121411493930000_9.7.e030546.4","unstructured":"Commission P. Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage: Key Indicators. Canberra: Australian Government, 2016."},{"key":"2025121411493930000_9.7.e030546.5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Payne J . Recidivism in Australia: findings and future research: Australian Institute of Criminology. 2007.","DOI":"10.1037\/e583022012-001"},{"key":"2025121411493930000_9.7.e030546.6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Garnett M , Sandra L , Michael L . The effect of a jail methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) program on inmate recidivism. Addiction 2008;103(12):2017\u201323.","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1360-0443.2008.02361.x"},{"key":"2025121411493930000_9.7.e030546.7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"157","DOI":"10.1056\/NEJMsa064115","article-title":"Release from Prison \u2014 A High Risk of Death for Former Inmates","volume":"356","author":"Binswanger","year":"2007","journal-title":"N Engl J Med Overseas Ed"},{"key":"2025121411493930000_9.7.e030546.8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1089\/apc.2010.0372"},{"key":"2025121411493930000_9.7.e030546.9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/107834580301000305"},{"key":"2025121411493930000_9.7.e030546.10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1176\/appi.ps.60.7.978"},{"key":"2025121411493930000_9.7.e030546.11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/0011128702239237"},{"key":"2025121411493930000_9.7.e030546.12","unstructured":"Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). Alcohol, tobacco & other drugs in Australia. Cat. no:PHE 221. AIHW. 2018."},{"key":"2025121411493930000_9.7.e030546.13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"387","DOI":"10.5694\/j.1326-5377.2007.tb01307.x","article-title":"Suicide risk among recently released prisoners in New South Wales, Australia","volume":"187","author":"Kariminia","year":"2007","journal-title":"Med J Aust"},{"key":"2025121411493930000_9.7.e030546.14","unstructured":"Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). The Health of Australia\u2019s Prisoners 2009. Canberra: AIHW 2010."},{"key":"2025121411493930000_9.7.e030546.15","unstructured":"Brown CP , O\u2019Sullivan K . somebody\u2019s dad: Parents as offenders and offenders as parents in New South Wales. AJCSD 2013."},{"key":"2025121411493930000_9.7.e030546.16","unstructured":"Justice Health & Forensic Mental Health Network. Network Patient Health Survey Report. Sydeny: Justice Health & Forensic Mental Health Network, 2017."},{"key":"2025121411493930000_9.7.e030546.17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"446","DOI":"10.1177\/1748895812454748","article-title":"The process of offender reintegration: Perceptions of what helps prisoners reenter society","volume":"13","author":"Davis","year":"2013","journal-title":"Criminol Criminal Justice"},{"key":"2025121411493930000_9.7.e030546.18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.3149\/fth.0303.267","article-title":"\"It\u2019s Been Hard to Be a Father\": A Qualitative Exploration of Incarcerated Fatherhood","volume":"3","author":"Arditti","year":"2005","journal-title":"Fathering"},{"key":"2025121411493930000_9.7.e030546.19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.3149\/fth.0303.221","article-title":"Fathering behind bars in English prisons: Imprisoned fathers\u2019 identity and contact with their children","volume":"3","author":"O\u2019brien","year":"2005","journal-title":"Fathering"},{"key":"2025121411493930000_9.7.e030546.20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"88","DOI":"10.1037\/0033-3204.38.1.88","article-title":"Fathering from prison: Common struggles and successful solutions","volume":"38","author":"Magaletta","year":"2001","journal-title":"Psychotherapy: (Chic)"},{"key":"2025121411493930000_9.7.e030546.21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/10509674.2011.546232"},{"key":"2025121411493930000_9.7.e030546.22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"4","DOI":"10.1186\/s40352-018-0063-8","article-title":"Systematic review of qualitative evaluations of reentry programs addressing problematic drug use and mental health disorders amongst people transitioning from prison to communities","volume":"6","author":"Kendall","year":"2018","journal-title":"Health Justice"},{"key":"2025121411493930000_9.7.e030546.23","unstructured":"Hobbs M , Krazlan K , Ridout S , et al . Mortality and morbidity in prisoners after release from prison in Western Australia 1995-2003. Trends & issues in crime and criminal justice No. 320. CanberraAustralian Institute of Criminology, 2006."},{"key":"2025121411493930000_9.7.e030546.24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.2105\/AJPH.2012.300750"},{"key":"2025121411493930000_9.7.e030546.25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"209","DOI":"10.1016\/j.socscimed.2017.05.010","article-title":"Health care barriers, racism, and intersectionality in Australia","volume":"199","author":"Bastos","year":"2018","journal-title":"Soc Sci Med"},{"key":"2025121411493930000_9.7.e030546.26","unstructured":"Baldry E . People with multiple and complex support needs, disadvantage and criminal justice systems: 40 years after the Sackville Report. In: Edgeworth B , Durbach A , Sentas V , eds. Law and Poverty in Australia: 40 years after the Poverty Commission. Sydney: The Federation Press, 2017."},{"key":"2025121411493930000_9.7.e030546.27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ssresearch.2008.05.007"},{"key":"2025121411493930000_9.7.e030546.28","unstructured":"Marmot MG . The status syndrome: How social standing affects our health and longevity. New York: Owl Books, Henry Holt, 2005."},{"key":"2025121411493930000_9.7.e030546.29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"107","DOI":"10.1177\/0003122415619617","article-title":"Childhood Disadvantage and Health Problems in Middle and Later Life: Early Imprints on Physical Health?","volume":"81","author":"Ferraro","year":"2015","journal-title":"Am Sociol Rev"},{"key":"2025121411493930000_9.7.e030546.30","first-page":"1908","article-title":"Working Children and Adolescents and the Vicious Circle of Poverty from the Perspective of Gunnar Myrdal\u2019s Theory of Circular Cumulative Causation: Analysis and Implementation of a Probit Model to Brazil","volume":"10","author":"Lopes","year":"2016","journal-title":"IJSRIT"},{"key":"2025121411493930000_9.7.e030546.31","unstructured":"McKendrick J , Brooks R , Hudson J , et al . Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing Programs. A literature Review. Canberra 2018."},{"key":"2025121411493930000_9.7.e030546.32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Martire KA , Howard MV , Sayle MA . Connections program patients: a descriptive analysis of the reintegration needs of incarcerated substance users. J Alcohol Drug Depend 2013.","DOI":"10.4172\/2329-6488.1000133"},{"key":"2025121411493930000_9.7.e030546.33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1017\/S0033291700021644"},{"key":"2025121411493930000_9.7.e030546.34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.drugalcdep.2005.04.001"},{"key":"2025121411493930000_9.7.e030546.35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1097\/00005650-199603000-00003"},{"key":"2025121411493930000_9.7.e030546.36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/135581969700200105"},{"key":"2025121411493930000_9.7.e030546.37","unstructured":"Steering Committee for the Review of Government Service Provision (SCRGSP). Report on government services 2010."},{"key":"2025121411493930000_9.7.e030546.38","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1360-0443.2005.01050.x"},{"key":"2025121411493930000_9.7.e030546.39","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"165","DOI":"10.1111\/1753-6405.12123","article-title":"Imprisonment of opioid-dependent people in New South Wales, Australia, 2000-2012: a retrospective linkage study","volume":"38","author":"Degenhardt","year":"2014","journal-title":"Aust N Z J Public Health"},{"key":"2025121411493930000_9.7.e030546.40","unstructured":"United Nations Population Division and United Nations Statistics Division. 2016. United Nations International Children\u2019s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Basic Indicators Definitions: UNICEF."},{"key":"2025121411493930000_9.7.e030546.41","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2","DOI":"10.1186\/s40352-018-0060-y","article-title":"Maternal incarceration, child protection, and infant mortality: a descriptive study of infant children of women prisoners in Western Australia","volume":"6","author":"Dowell","year":"2018","journal-title":"Health Justice"},{"key":"2025121411493930000_9.7.e030546.42","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jcrimjus.2007.03.005"}],"container-title":["BMJ Open"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/syndication.highwire.org\/content\/doi\/10.1136\/bmjopen-2019-030546","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,14]],"date-time":"2025-12-14T19:49:51Z","timestamp":1765741791000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/bmjopen.bmj.com\/lookup\/doi\/10.1136\/bmjopen-2019-030546"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2019,7]]},"references-count":42,"journal-issue":{"issue":"7","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2019,7,24]]},"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2019,7]]}},"alternative-id":["10.1136\/bmjopen-2019-030546"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1136\/bmjopen-2019-030546","relation":{},"ISSN":["2044-6055","2044-6055"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2044-6055","type":"print"},{"value":"2044-6055","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2019,7]]}}}