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Treatment In Prisons – Shocking Numbers, Shortsighted Programs

Between 1980 and 2002 America’s prison population quadrupled from 500,000 to 2,000,000, largely due to drug-related crime and drug abuse. This analysis estimates that 82% of state prison inmates are involved with alcohol and drugs and 69% have used illegal drugs regularly (51% were under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of their crime). Yet relatively few inmates received treatment.

Available treatment was either too limited (12 Step programs or education) or too extensive and costly (long term residential programs). Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have developed a framework for estimating the actual levels of treatment needed. They estimate that one-third of the male and half of the female inmates need residential treatment, but that half of the males and one-third of the females may need no treatment or short-term intervention.

Their study states that treatment capacity in state prisons is quite inadequate and improvements in assessment, treatment matching, and incentives are needed. The researcher’s suggested framework matches an individual’s treatment with specific needs by taking into account the severity of drug use, drug-related behavioral consequences, and the existence of other health and social problems. Inmates usually present an array of health and social problems beyond just their alcohol and drug issues. Other research has shown a high rate of mental health conditions among inmates as well. Drug-involved offenders frequently also have educational deficits and sporadic work histories that complicate their transition back into their communities.

A number of studies have shown that matching services to these specific client needs positively affects treatment outcomes. This study concludes that, although the initial funding would be considerable, increasing access to different levels of treatment matched to inmate needs would result in substantial long-term social and economic benefits from reduced recidivism, easier transition to the community, and reduced drug use.

(Benko, S, Peugh, J: Estimating drug treatment needs among state prison inmates. Drug and Alcohol Dependence 77: 269-281, 2005)

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