Substance Abuse Treatment in US Prisons Peters and Steinberg

1
Substance Abuse Treatment in US PrisonsPeters
and Steinberg

• CJ 365, Summer 2001
• June 19, 2001

2
Introduction

• There has been a significant increase in the
  number of offenders sentenced to prison for drug
  crimes.
• Most of the increase has been attributed to
  changes in sentencing laws and parole guidelines
• Sentencing Reform Act of 1984
• Abolished parole for federal offenders
• Substance abuse treatment is not a right in
  prisons
• Marshall v. United States

3
Eight Key Principles of Effective Programs

• Intensive services are behavioral in nature.
• Programs should address criminogenic needs
  substance abuse, antisocial behaviors
• Risk assessments are used to identify needs.
• Services should address multiple problems and
  individual offenders should be matched with
  treatment based on needs.
• Programs should include structured incentives and
  sanctions.
• Counselors should be selected based on their
  interpersonal skills.
• Minimum educational requirements

4
Eight Key Principles of Effective Programs

• Programs should provide a pro social treatment
  environment that reduces negative peer
  influences.
• Relapse prevention strategies should be provided.
  
• Relapse training should also be provided to
  family and friends.
• Linkage and referral to community services should
  be provided.

5
Examples of Substance Abuse Programs

• Californias Amity Prison Therapeutic Community
• Three phase program
• Serves up to 40 residents
• Provides treatment for approx 6 months
• Provides one year of aftercare treatment
• New Yorks Stayn Out Program
• Highly structured therapeutic community
• Treatment is provided for 10-12 months and there
  is a 6 month follow up program.

6
Correctional Treatment of Special Needs
Populations

• Rates of both mental health and substance abuse
  disorders are much higher among non-incarcerated
  populations.
• Mental health 4x
• Substance Abuse 4-7x
• 3-11 of inmates have co-occurring problems
• Offenders with co-occurring problems are more
  likely to
• Drop out or be expelled from treatment
• Be hospitalized
• Greater risk for suicide and recidivism

7
Summary

• Approx. 55 of offenders have a substance abuse
  treatment problem, but only 10 will receive some
  sort of treatment.