Criminal justice involvement and service need among men on methadone who have perpetrated intimate partner violence

Perpetrators of male-to-female intimate partner violence (IPV) may be likely to have multiple service needs, the extent of which may vary with respect to criminal justice involvement. The salience of the criminal justice system and the potential impact on service needs due to arrest and incarceration is underscored given the association between substance use and IPV. This study utilized a sample of men in methadone treatment who perpetrated male-to-female IPV in order to examine associations between criminal justice involvement and perceived additional service need(s). Results indicate that the likelihood of having service needs significantly increased as time since most recent arrest or incarceration decreased. These findings highlight the need and potential benefit that can be derived from greater coordination amongst the criminal justice, IPV prevention, and drug treatment systems and service providers.

Research highlights
► Drug-involved men who perpetrate partner violence may admit to a need for services.
► The majority of this sample expressed needs for additional health or psychosocial services.
► More recent arrest or incarceration was associated with increased service needs.
► Collaboration is needed among criminal justice, partner violence, and drug treatment systems.