Interprofessional collaboration in reintegration after prison for prisoners with substance abuse issues: A scoping review

Abstract

For decades, reintegration after prison for prisoners with interlinked welfare needs has presented one of the greatest challenges in the criminal justice system. The World Health Organization and the United Nations have highlighted the demand for well-functioning collaboration between professionals and welfare agencies handling these challenges. However, interprofessional collaboration has been an underdeveloped field of research and theory, especially concerning prisoners with substance abuse issues. The present study undertakes a scoping review of research on interprofessional collaboration in reintegration after prison for prisoners with substance abuse issues, particularly identifying factors that influence collaboration. Nineteen included studies from the USA, the UK, Australia, and Norway show that relational and structural factors influence collaboration and innovative projects are perceived as improving collaboration. A tentative conceptual model of factors that influence collaboration is presented, which may serve as a basis for reflection and further development of a theoretical framework within the field of research.