Effects of a jail-adapted dialectical behavioral therapy skills group on in-custody outcomes and reentry preparedness: A randomized controlled trial.

People who are involved in the criminal-legal system often experience difficulty regulating emotions, refraining from impulsive behaviors, and communicating effectively. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), particularly the skills training group component, may be well-suited to address the risks and needs of correctional populations, but adaptations of DBT in these settings have outpaced rigorous evidence for their effectiveness. This gap is especially notable in short-term jail detention settings, underscoring the need for large-scale randomized evaluations of DBT skills groups on both psychological outcomes and prerelease readiness among jail inmates. The current preregistered randomized controlled trial evaluated the effects of a jail-adapted DBT skills group on in-custody changes in coping, psychiatric symptoms, and jail misconduct and on reentry-related preparedness. Participants were 640 individuals (83% male, 69.2% White, 13.8% Hispanic) incarcerated in a county jail randomized to receive a 12-session DBT skills group or control treatment. They completed baseline and prerelease assessments of relevant outcomes. Small effects of DBT were observed for improved adaptive coping, decreased antisocial behavior in custody, and positive perceptions of reentry capabilities and support. Findings from the present study highlight the insights gleaned from examining effects of DBT group treatment in regard to both behavioral outcomes and expectations for reentry. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).