Exploring Reentry and Recovery Among Formerly Incarcerated African Americans with Co-occurring Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders
Type of Presentation
Poster Session
Location
University Library
Start Date
4-9-2026 2:00 PM
End Date
4-9-2026 3:15 PM
Abstract
The disproportionate incarceration rates of African Americans, as reported by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (2024), highlight a critical area of concern within the criminal justice system. In 2021 African Americans were incarcerated at a rate six times higher than that of their White counterparts. Extensive research has explored reentry and recovery of formerly incarcerated African American populations. Yet there remains a significant gap in the literature regarding the unique challenges faced by African Americans, particularly those with co-occurring issues of substance use and mental health disorders. The central research question for this study is "what insights does existing scholarly research provide on the intersection of mental health and substance use and reentry among formerly incarcerated African Americans in the United States?" This poster presentation aims to address this gap through a scoping literature review conducted using Covidence software, a specialized platform for synthesizing scientific research. This review seeks to illuminate the multiple barriers to successful reentry and recovery, thereby contributing to a greater understanding of the specific needs of this population. Preliminary findings from this study reveal four recurring themes: (1) the centrality of empowerment and social support in shaping recovery; (2) persistent racial discrimination that constrains access to mental health and substance use resources; (3) limited effectiveness and accessibility of prevailing substance use treatment models for this population; and (4) the influence of structural violence- including economic disadvantage, unstable housing, and community violence- on health trajectories and reintegration outcomes. Across studies, participants expressed strong motivation for recovery when engaged with culturally grounded, community-responsive behavioral health support.
Faculty / Staff Sponsor
Vicki Coffey, Shonda Lawrence
Exploring Reentry and Recovery Among Formerly Incarcerated African Americans with Co-occurring Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders
University Library
The disproportionate incarceration rates of African Americans, as reported by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (2024), highlight a critical area of concern within the criminal justice system. In 2021 African Americans were incarcerated at a rate six times higher than that of their White counterparts. Extensive research has explored reentry and recovery of formerly incarcerated African American populations. Yet there remains a significant gap in the literature regarding the unique challenges faced by African Americans, particularly those with co-occurring issues of substance use and mental health disorders. The central research question for this study is "what insights does existing scholarly research provide on the intersection of mental health and substance use and reentry among formerly incarcerated African Americans in the United States?" This poster presentation aims to address this gap through a scoping literature review conducted using Covidence software, a specialized platform for synthesizing scientific research. This review seeks to illuminate the multiple barriers to successful reentry and recovery, thereby contributing to a greater understanding of the specific needs of this population. Preliminary findings from this study reveal four recurring themes: (1) the centrality of empowerment and social support in shaping recovery; (2) persistent racial discrimination that constrains access to mental health and substance use resources; (3) limited effectiveness and accessibility of prevailing substance use treatment models for this population; and (4) the influence of structural violence- including economic disadvantage, unstable housing, and community violence- on health trajectories and reintegration outcomes. Across studies, participants expressed strong motivation for recovery when engaged with culturally grounded, community-responsive behavioral health support.