Janis T. Morey

Bio: Janis T. Morey is an academic researcher from Texas Christian University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Psychosocial & Poison control. The author has an hindex of 6, co-authored 6 publications receiving 300 citations.

An Assessment for Criminal Thinking

Abstract: Risk assessments generally rely on actuarial measures of criminal history. However, these static measures do not address changes in risk as a result of intervention. To this end, this study examines the basic psychometric properties of the TCU Criminal Thinking Scales (TCU CTS), a brief (self-rating) instrument developed to assess cognitive functioning expected to be related to criminal conduct. Findings demonstrate that these scales have good psychometric properties and can serve as a short but reliable self-reported criminal thinking assessment. Their applications as part of an assessment system to determine offender progress and effectiveness are discussed.

Measuring offender attributes and engagement in treatment using the client evaluation of self and treatment

Abstract: Monitoring drug-abuse-treatment delivery and progress requires the use of validated instruments to measure client motivation, psychosocial and cognitive functioning, and other treatment-process dyn...

Gender Differences in Treatment Engagement Among a Sample of Incarcerated Substance Abusers

Abstract: This article examines gender differences in treatment engagement, psychosocial variables, and criminal thinking among a sample of male and female substance abusers (N = 2,774) enrolled in 20 prison-based treatment programs in five different states as part of the National Institute on Drug Abuse—funded Criminal Justice Drug Abuse Treatment Studies cooperative agreement. Results indicate that inmates in female treatment programs report more psychosocial dysfunction, less criminal thinking, and higher engagement than in male facilities, and there is a more negative relationship between psychosocial variables and treatment engagement (compared to male programs). Only one subscale of criminal thinking had a significant gender interaction, with males having a significantly stronger relationship between cold-heartedness and low treatment engagement. Implications for treatment interventions with a gender-specific focus are discussed.

An Evaluation of the TCU Drug Screen

Abstract: Although most criminal justice agencies across the United States have become invested in treating drug-abusing offenders in the past decade, the demand for treatment resources has continued to exceed availability. Not only must officials decide who should have access to limited treatment services, but they also need to determine the most appropriate type and intensity of treatment in which a drug-involved offender should be placed. These critical decisions are complicated even further in correctional systems that process several hundred inmates per month. For these agencies, effective and efficient drug abuse screening and treatment referral protocols are essential. The primary goal of this project was to examine psychometric properties and validity of the Texas Christian University Drug Screen (TCU Drug Screen), an experimental instrument in early stages of implementation at several large correctional settings across the U.S. Initially, the manner in which the TCU Drug Screen was being used in Texas prisons and state jails was explored. Psychometric properties for this instrument were established and reported next, with a particular focus on the internal consistency of the first nine items on the front page of the screen. In addition, normative data was provided on prominent subgroups defined by sociodemographic and criminal background variables. Finally, a revised version of the instrument was developed and has been made available as a free download from http://www.ibr.tcu.edu. Ultimately, this project demonstrated that the TCU Drug Screen is reliable and effective when used to assess the severity of drug use problems. Products from this grant include the following:

An Evaluation of Six Brief Interventions That Target Drug-Related Problems in Correctional Populations

Abstract: Finding brief effective treatments for criminal justice populations is a major public need. The CJ-DATS Targeted Intervention for Corrections (TIC), which consists of six brief interventions (Communication, Anger, Motivation, Criminal Thinking, Social Networks, and HIV/Sexual Health), were tested in separate federally-funded randomized control studies. In total, 1,573 criminal justice-involved individuals from 20 correction facilities participated (78% males; 54% white). Multi-level repeated measures analyses found significant gains in knowledge, attitudes, and psychosocial functioning (criteria basic to Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices (KAP) and TCU Treatment Process Models). While improvements were less consistent in criminal thinking, overall evidence supported efficacy for the TIC interventions.

Gender differences in chronic medical, psychiatric, and substance-dependence disorders among jail inmates.

Abstract: Objectives. We investigated whether there were gender differences in chronic medical, psychiatric, and substance-dependence disorders among jail inmates and whether substance dependence mediated any gender differences found.Methods. We analyzed data from a nationally representative survey of 6982 US jail inmates. Weighted estimates of disease prevalence were calculated by gender for chronic medical disorders (cancer, hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, asthma, hepatitis, and cirrhosis), psychiatric disorders (depressive, bipolar, psychotic, posttraumatic stress, anxiety, and personality), and substance-dependence disorders. We conducted logistic regression to examine the relationship between gender and these disorders.Results. Compared with men, women had a significantly higher prevalence of all medical and psychiatric conditions (P ≤ .01 for each) and drug dependence (P < .001), but women had a lower prevalence of alcohol dependence (P < .001). Gender differences persisted after adjustment for sociodemogr...

Women Coming Home: Long‐Term Patterns of Recidivism

Abstract: Drawing on recent scholarship on prisoner reentry and gendered pathways to crime, this research explores how social relationships, incarceration experiences, and community context, and the intersection of these factors with race, influence the occurrence and timing of recidivism. Using a large, modern sample of women released from prison, we find that women who are drug dependent, have less education, or have more extensive criminal histories are more likely to fail on parole and to recidivate more quickly during the eight year follow‐up period. We also observe racial variation in the effect of education, drug use, and neighborhood concentrated disadvantage on recidivism. This study highlights the importance of an intra‐gender, theoretical understanding of recidivism, and has import for policy aimed at female parolees.

Which criminogenic need changes are most important in promoting desistance from crime and substance use

Abstract: Andrews and Bonta identified the following criminogenic needs as important to reducing offending: substance use, antisocial cognition, antisocial associates, family and marital relations, employment, and leisure and recreational activities. This study examines dynamic criminogenic need changes across a 12-month period and identifies which need changes are the best predictors of criminal offending and illicit drug use among a sample of drug-involved probationers who participated in an intervention (N = 251). Probationers had significant changes in several need areas, and treatment participation moderated some changes. Probationers who had reductions in criminally involved family members they associate with, improved work performance, and decreased alcohol use had the greatest reductions in offending. Those who increased time spent engaged in leisure and recreational activities were less likely to self-report subsequent drug use. These findings suggest that certain dynamic need changes may be more important than others, and designing interventions to impact these needs might improve outcomes.