NeuroResource Facilitation for Improved Re-Entry Outcomes for Offenders with Brain Injury: A Multi-Site Randomized Controlled Trial

The applicant proposes to study a promising intervention for offenders who suffer from acquired brain injury (traumatic or non-traumatic). Acquired BI has been known to leave patients with cognitive, behavioral and mental health challenges that inhibit prosocial behaviors and the core components of successful reentry. The most prolific issue of BI patients is substance-use disorder. The proposed intervention, NeuroResource Facilitation (NRF), relies on cognitive and behavioral therapy with tailored case management to assist offenders developing skills to compensate for deficiencies in problem-solving, completing applications and appointments. All of these deficiencies are likely present in BI patients.
The applicant proposes to identify 1,514 potential participants through BI screening at two facilities in the PA DOC system. Of these, the applicant expects to assign 764 cases into the NRF treatment and 509 cases to the control of Standard of Care (SoC). The research team and their partners at the Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania (BIAPA) will work with PADOC staff to plan for the intervention, particularly how to ensure NRF programming pre- and post-release among corrections and community corrections staff. Intervention will occur over the first two years of the project. The primary outcome will be recidivism after one year. Secondary outcomes will measure productive activities, engagement with services, community support, and community supervision compliance. The data will be collected through program and administrative data as well as participant questionnaires. BIAPA will conduct training of NRF facilitators and the research team will conduct periodic case reviews to ensure NRF fidelity.
Note: This project contains a research and/or development component, as defined in applicable law, and complies with Part 200 Uniform Requirements - 2 CFR 200.210(a)(14). CA/NCF