Prison System Approaches to Drug Treatment in Prisons - Research Paper Example

? Drug Abuse Treatment in Prison Systems A significant number of prisoners in U.S prisons have serious drug abuse problems, and are in need of treatment before they return to the society. According to report by bureau of justice and statistics, 45% of federal inmates and 53% of state inmates meet criteria of substance abuse or drug dependence (Williams, 2008). Drug abuse treatment involves the psychotherapeutic intervention that endeavors to reduce the dependence on psychoactive drugs. Drug abuse treatment within a prison system also deals with challenges associated with closed systems and resultant risky behaviors that may lead to contraction of HIV and other blood borne infections. Drug addiction comes with significant social, financial, psychological and legal consequences. The treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts within a prison system has been proven to work. Studies have shown that the treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts within a prison enables reintegration into the job market, offers training, and minimizes re-incarceration. This paper analyzes various research findings regarding drug abuse treatment and how prison systems approach this issue. A number of options can be employed in the delivery of the treatment to inmates. One option includes that indulgence of medical staff of the prison. Proponents of this option argue the indulgence of prison medical staff provides an ample time for the interaction of the care provider and the drug addict (Williams, 2008). However, other options may include the indulgence of community based organizations. In addition, a number of specific treatment modalities can be implemented. Williams (2008) argues such modalities include agonist maintenance, antagonist therapy, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. Other countries have resorted to the use of methadone maintenance, and educative programs. Thus, inmates are trained on safe sex practices and HIV prevention. According to policy makers, the provision of this treatment within the prison system can either be voluntary or compulsory (Williams, 2008). Some legal systems provide the inmates with a chance to accept or reject the treatment. Therefore, the federal bureau of prisons has restructured its substance abuse programs in accordance to the findings of recent research and expanded its treatment services throughout the institutions. A number of studies have been conducted to evaluate the functionality of drug abuse treatment in prison systems. In one such study, Wormer and Persson (2010) investigated evidence from prison administrators and inmate reports at a federal prison in the Midwest to find out the extent to which treatment needs are being met. Wormer and Persson (2010) argue the involvement into the criminal justice system often results from drug seeking behavior and participation in illegal activities to acquire the drugs. In addition, research has shown proof of interconnectedness and crime. After the evaluation of data from key respondents, the researchers found out drug abuse treatment needs are not being met. However, the researchers acknowledge the numerous steps that have been devised to ensure evidence based treatment modalities. On top of that, the researchers recommended a number of probable improvements that can be considered. First, they suggested that techniques should be devised to encourage inmates to seek drug abuse treatment (Wormer & Persson, 2010). The researchers also recommended that mechanisms should be formulated to handle inmates who feel discouraged to continue with the treatment rationale (Wormer & Persson, 2010). Second, the prison system should ensure that new entrants into the prison system with drug abuse history should be enrolled into the treatment program immediately (Wormer & Persson, 2010). Third, the treatment protocol should be conducted from within (Wormer & Persson, 2010). This allows prison medical staff to develop close interpersonal relationships with addicts. This gives the care providers an opportunity to monitor addicts’ progress keenly (Wormer & Persson, 2010). In addition, Burdon, Dang, Messina, and Farabee endeavored to elucidate the difference in effectiveness between community based residential and outpatient treatment attended by parolees from prison based treatment programs (Burdon et al., 2007). The researchers recruited 4165 parolees who benefitted from therapeutic community drug abuse treatment and who subsequently underwent only outpatient or residential treatment following their release from the prison (Burdon et al., 2007). The dependent variable of the study was to return to prison within twelvemonths. The primary, independent variables were problem severity and type of aftercare. The researchers noted that the patients benefitted equally form residential and outpatient aftercare regardless of the severity of the drug addiction problem (Burdon et al., 2007). Burdon et al. (2007) note that federal prison system continues to expand the prison based treatment services. This also leads to an increase for the demand of aftercare treatments services. Therefore, systems that regulate the transition of persons from prison based treatment services to community based treatments services should include a comprehensive assessment of post prison treatment needs (Burdon et al., 2007). Furthermore, the quality of community based services should be evaluated. This will ensure that parolees experience a smooth and uninterrupted continuum of care via proper recognition of the progress made in prison based treatment (Burdon et al., 2007). The findings by Burdon et al. (2007) are in agreement with study results of previous research conducted on drug abuse treatment within prison systems. Research has shown that close to 50% of all incarcerated individuals have histories of substance abuse, and over twenty thousand heroin addicts pass through American prisons annually. This is a clear indication of the need for enhanced drug abuse treatment in prisons. Nunn A. et al. (2009) argue that opiate dependence reduces recidivism for inmates and drug related disorders. However, most correctional settings do not employ the use of opiate in the management of drug addiction among inmates. Nunn et al. (2009) surveyed various federal department of corrections’ medical directors or their equivalent nationwide about their institutions’ policies regarding opiate therapy, and their referral programs for inmates who have completed their term in prison. The researchers learnt that most prison drug treatment systems offer methadone (55%) while others offer buprenorphine (14%) to inmates (Nunn et al., 2009). Most of the prison systems do not use opiate replacement therapy (ORT). A significant number of prison drug treatment facilities prefer drug free detoxification over providing methadone and buprenorphine (Nunn et al., 2009). Nunn et al. (2009) study concluded that most prison drug treatment systems do not use opiate replacement therapy in spite of ORP’S proven social, economical and medical benefits. The research findings of Nunn et al. (2009) study call for the urgent reevaluation of the current drug abuse treatment rationales within prison systems. Furthermore, the provision of drug abuse treatment within prison systems tends to present gender inequities. According to Mendoza et al. (2010) a significant number of women in Mexican prisons have mental and drug addiction problems, as well as difficulties in accessing treatment for these disorders. In addition, studies have proven that substance abuse affects female prisoners to a greater extent when compared to their counterparts who are not in prison (Mendoza et al., 2010). Researchers have also proven that gender iniquities make women’s health more vulnerable, especially those in prisons because they have greater health deficits and more treatment barriers. Mendoza et al. (2010) investigated the barriers that prevent Mexican female prisoners with addiction problems from accessing treatment. An analysis of the treatment sub scale socio-demographic demographic variables revealed profound difficulties in obtaining treatment among women prisoners aged 20-40 years and those with children aged 18 years and below (Mendoza et al., 2010). The study confirmed the existence of difficulties in accessing treatment in women prisoners with drug addiction in Mexico (Mendoza et al., 2010). They recommended that proper polices need to be devised in order to address the challenge once and for all (Mendoza et al., 2010). On the other hand, Deborah and Johnson (2011) conducted an expansive electronic database research in order to elucidate reports relating to substance abuse treatment for incarcerated women. Debora and Johnson (2011) realized that therapeutic outcomes of treatment regimes for incarcerated women with substance abuse problems are boosted when trust based relationships are established. Moreover, the provision of just and individualized care enhances treatment programs (Deborah & Johnson, 2011). Moreover, it has been noted that the substance on which policy makers focus is often the reflection of the concerns of the society in question at a given time. Regardless of the substance there is usually a socially disadvantaged minority group that is vulnerable to developing behaviors with regard to the substance; a feature that poses a considerable challenge to the society (Deborah & Johnson, 2011). Most policy makers have been addressing this issue from the therapeutic rather than punitive point of view. Prisoners form a good example of vulnerable groups. Research has shown notable cases of mortality through suicide in prison and overdose after release. Thus, the integrated drug treatments system needs to be established to provide more consistently therapeutically based approaches within prison settings (Deborah & Johnson, 2011). In addition, there is a need to establish more community base interventions in order to reduce the need for custodial sentences, and ensure that care continues in the most seamless manner after release (Deborah & Johnson, 2011). Conclusion This paper has noted that the provision of treatment to drug addicts leads to positive behavior change in prisoners. On the other hand, drug addiction comes with significant social, financial, psychological and legal consequences. Research has shown that the treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts within a prison enables reintegration into the job market, offers training, and minimizes re-incarceration. Different options can be employed in the delivery of the treatment to inmates. A significant number of policy makers root for the indulgence of medical staff of the prison. This option is thought to provide an ample time for the interaction of the care provider and the drug addict (Williams, 2008). However, other options may include the indulgence community based organizations. Therefore, policy makers need to devise more customized drug treatment systems that will provide healthcare to all inmates with drug abuse challenges, despite of their gender. On top of that, some policy makers suggest that an integrated drug treatments system needs to be established to provide more consistently therapeutically based approaches within prison settings. Moreover, there is a need to establish more community based interventions in order to reduce the need for custodial sentences, and ensure that care continues in the most seamless manner after release. References Burdon, W. et al. (2007). Differential effectiveness of residential versus outpatient aftercare for parolees from prison-based therapeutic community treatment programs. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy, 15, 1-10. Debora, F. and Johnson, E. (2011). Therapeutic Substance Abuse Treatment for Incarcerated Women. Clinical Nursing Research, 20(4), 462-481. Mendoza, M. et al. (2010). Gender inequities, substance abuse and treatment barriers in women in prison. Saud Mental, 33(6), 499-506. Nunn A. et al. (2009). Methadone and buprenorphine prescribing and referral practices in US prison systems: Results from a Nationwide Survey. Drug and Alcohol Dependance, 105 (1/2), 83-88. Williams, M. (2008). Whose Responsibility Is Substance Abuse Treatment? Corrections Today, 70(6), 82-84. Wormer, K. and Persson, L. (2010). Drug Treatment Within the U.S. Federal Prison System: Are Treatment Needs Being Met? Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 9(5), 363-375. Read More