Treating Drug Problems Volume 2 (1992) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
Drug Treatment in State Prisons
Drug Treatment in State Prisons
Pages 89-132
The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.
From page 89... ...
Looking for ways to reduce recidivism and control overcrowding (and recognizing the close connection between substance abuse and crime) , correctional authorities have begun expanding prison-based drug treatment programs during the past few years.
|
From page 90... ...
Given the current array of treatment programs (many offering only occasional counseling, drug education, or other limited services) , the finding of evaluation research that many programs are ineffective is not surprising.
|
From page 91... ...
Polipymakers who are against expanding drug treatment programs for convicted felons rest their case on several arguments: rehabilitation programs treat criminals too leniently; the public wants more criminals punished rather than more rehabilitation programs; and rehabilitation programs cost too much and do not work. Prisons, many contend, deter criminals and ensure that they receive their just deserts.
|
From page 92... ...
The phrase, "nothing works," was thus coined and became an accepted part of the corrections vocabulary; it was treated as fact. The belief that "nothing worksn still has widespread acceptance and is one of the main reasons drug treatment programs are given low priority despite high recidivism rates, especially among drug-abusing offenders.
|
From page 93... ...
Just the same, the generalized belief that nothing works has been, as we suggested earlier, a major factor in the reluctance of many policymakers to support prisonbased drug treatment. Accordingly, we later present a detailed review of the evaluation research on drug treatment programs for offenders, focusing on what has been found to work.
|
From page 94... ...
Thus, the issue is whether drug treatment programs for prisoners and parolees can reduce recidivism better than the current practice, which limits treatment. Because of the high correlation between drug abuse and recidivism, we believe it is in the public interest to place offenders in the kinds of prison-based and community treatment programs that have been found to be effective.
|
From page 95... ...
In fact, there have been instances in which inmate leaders in drug treatment programs quelled disturbances that could have led to rioting. Correctional authorities evidently recognize the value of treating prisoners for their drug abuse and have given it increasing priority during the past decade.
|
From page 96... ...
THE NEED FOR DRUG TREATMENT IN PRISONS Although a small percentage of the nation's prisoners receive drug treatment, there is still a considerable need for effective treatment programs. Estimates by social science researchers and correctional authorities indicate that as much as 70 to 80 percent of the nation's prisoners used drugs prior to incarceration; however, only about 10 percent are in prison-based treatment programs (Chaiken, 1989; Innes, 1988~.
|
From page 97... ...
Such users commit thousands of crimes during their drug abuse careers, according to studies in New York, Miami, Baltimore, California, Michigan, and Texas (Chaiken, 1986; Johnson et al., 1985~. Not only do drug-dependent offenders commit a substantial amount of crime, but as the frequency of abuse increases, so does the frequency of crime (Ball, 1986; Ball et al., 1981; Chaiken and Chaiken, 1983; Johnson et al., 1985; McGlothlin et al., 1977~.
|
From page 98... ...
report that daily heroin users commit about 1,000 drug distribution crimes each year. In addition to direct sales of drugs, illegal drug distribution activities include directing customers to dealers ("steeringn)
|
From page 99... ...
Although a large proportion of the nation's prisoners lead a lifestyle associated with problems of drug abuse, only a small percentage receive treatment while in prison. Few of these programs, however, are intensive enough to have a significant effect on relapse and recidivism (most programs offer only drug education, Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, occasional counseling, or other limited services)
|
From page 100... ...
conducted a comprehensive survey of drug abuse treatment programs in prisons (NIDA, 1981~. The survey identified 160 prison treatment programs serving about 10,000 inmates (4 percent of the prison population)
|
From page 101... ...
and one treatment unit at the Bayview Correctional Facility, with 40 beds. In 1984 the National Institute on Drug Abuse provided a grant to Narcotic and Drug Research, Inc., to evaluate Stay'n Out and compare it to other prison drug abuse treatment programs.
|
From page 102... ...
On average, they have previously been in two treatment programs for 18 months combined. The programs at Arthur Kill and Bayview are therapeutic communities modified to fit into a correctional institution (see Wexler and Williams, 1986 for a full description of the program)
|
From page 103... ...
Support is provided by the administrative staff of New York [therapeutic Communities. Upon release, participants are encouraged to seek further substance abuse treatment at cooperating communiW-based TCs.
|
From page 105... ...
Hi, it, ~I ~1 6-8.9 9-11.9 Over12 MONTHS IN PRISON DRUG PROGRAM b. Females Coo 90 UJ CD as LL Em: 60 80 70 50 40 - Stay'n Out Counseling Treatment /\ / \ J 0-2.9 3-~.9 6-8.9 ~11.9 Over 12 MONTHS IN PRISON DRUG PROGRAM FIGURE 1 Positive parole discharge by time in program: (a)
|
From page 106... ...
improvement in treatment outcomes that tapered off after one year. One of several statistical analyses compared parole discharges among subjects who spent less than one year in treatment.
|
From page 107... ...
It should be noted, however, that the clients in this group are still significantly less likely to recidivate than those who terminate from the treatment in less than 9 months. Thus, the central conclusions of the research are that hard-core drug abusers who remain in the prison-based therapeutic community longer are more likely to succeed than those who leave earlier and that 9 to 12 months appears to be the optimal duration for the treatment.
|
From page 108... ...
(1988b:107~. in the parole discharge variable were not significantly different among the male groups, the percentage of TC males positively discharged (58 percent)
|
From page 109... ...
Ninety-five percent of the clients had histories of polydrug abuse. Like Stay'n Out, Cornerstone is modeled on the therapeutic community concept.
|
From page 110... ...
During this phase, they maintain contact with Cornerstone staff, their parole officers, and, if their treatment requires, outpatient drug treatment programs. Two evaluation studies of the Cornerstone program assessed several treatment outcomes, including recidivism (Field, 1984, 1989~.
|
From page 111... ...
Indeed, only 8 percent of the clients who dropped out in less than 2 months were not arrested during the threeyear follow-up, only 11 percent were not convicted, and only 15 percent were not reincarcerated. These findings are consistent with the findings on the Stay'n Out program, which showed that increased time in the program was associated with more positive treatment outcomes.
|
From page 112... ...
Although funding for the program was initially intended to reduce illiteracy, the goal of the program has broadened to include enhancing the moral development of offenders through a humanistic approach to education. Simon Fraser faculty conduct a variety of classes in the liberal arts for student-prisoners who have histories of serious drug abuse and criminal activity.
|
From page 113... ...
Youthful offenders were admitted to the program if they met the following criteria: an 8- to 12-month period of incarceration remaining, more than 6 months but less than 5 years of dependency on heroin, no extreme psychopathology, no recent escape, and no serious offense pending. The program was based on the therapeutic community model and included guided group interaction (GGI)
|
From page 114... ...
In 1968 a drug treatment program was established at the federal correctional facilities on Terminal Island and at two other institutions. The program consisted of several components: a therapeutic community, psychotherapy and counseling, biofeedback training, a transactional analysis group, and educational, vocational, and social activities.
|
From page 115... ...
. This research study collected data on a sample of approximately 44,000 drug abusers admitted to 52 drug treatment programs between 1969 and 1973 (Simpson, 1984; Simpson and Sells, 1982~.
|
From page 116... ...
WHAT WORKS AND WHAT DOES NOT WORK IN PRISON-BASED TREATMENT Based on evaluation studies of effective treatment programs and observation of clinical practices, it is possible to identify several elements of treatment programs that tend to work well and others that have been found not to work. This section describes the forces that impede success and the factors conducive to it.
|
From page 117... ...
that has adopted these guidelines to foster the development of drug treatment in corrections. Impediments to Prison-Based Drug Treatment Broadly defined, there are two sets of forces that impede successful treatment outcomes (i.e., reduction of recidivism)
|
From page 118... ...
Elements of Effective Correctional Treatment Programs Although the number of studies of effective treatment programs is limited, there is enough evidence to suggest that certain approaches are conducive to success. In general, the main factors related to success are as follows: (1)
|
From page 119... ...
The success of treatment programs in correctional settings also
|
From page 120... ...
. The following are several guidelines for implementing drug treatment programs for prisoners and parolees.
|
From page 121... ...
Graduates of treatment programs who are able to remain drug free and to abstain from crime while in the community serve as excellent role models. After adequate training, they should be offered opportunities for employment in community- and prison-based treatment programs.
|
From page 122... ...
have completed the planning phase and are engaged in implementation; California, Hawaii, New Jersey, and Washington are currently participating in the planning phase. Overall, then, this program assists states in developing a comprehensive set of drug treatment programs through a statewide correctional strategy for dealing with drug offenders.
|
From page 123... ...
These interventions should be carefully evaluated so that drug treatment in correctional settings can be modified based on the best available scientific knowledge. As our guidelines suggest, a logical starting point is to increase the number of chronic polydrug abusers in intensive prison-based treatment programs and enable them to continue their recovery in residential programs after they are released.
|
From page 124... ...
(1979) Outcome research in a therapeutic community for drug abusers: a critical review.
|
From page 125... ...
(1974) Drug abuse histories and criminality survey of inmates of state correctional facilities.
|
From page 126... ...
Treatment Research Monograph Series. Roc~ille, Md.: National Institute on Drug Abuse.
|
From page 127... ...
The criminal justice client in drug abuse treatment.
|
From page 128... ...
Sanabria (in press) Drug abuse in the inner city: impact on hard-drug users and the community.
|
From page 129... ...
(1973) The Impact of Drug Abuse Treatment Upon Criminality.
|
From page 130... ...
(1979) The relation of the time in drug abuse treatment to post treatment outcomes.
|
From page 131... ...
Outcome evaluation of a prison therapeutic community for substance abuse treatment. Criminal Justice and Behavior 17~1~:71-92.
|
Key Terms
This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More
information on Chapter Skim is available.