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Dependence, Abuse, And Treatment Of Jail Inmates

In a survey conducted by researchers of the Bureau of Justice Statistics in 2002, more than two-thirds of jail inmates were classified as alcohol or drug dependent or abusers. Fifty-three percent of inmates were dependent on or abused drugs, as opposed to 47% for alcohol. Surprisingly, almost two-thirds of inmates who met the criteria for dependence or abuse had participated in a substance abuse treatment program in the past, and most while under correctional supervision.

Some important results of the survey are given below:

• White and middle-aged inmates had higher rates of substance dependence or abuse.
• Half of all jail inmates aged 35-44 were alcohol or drug dependent, and women and white inmates were more likely to have used drugs at the time of their offense.
• Younger inmates had higher drug dependence or abuse, while middle-aged inmates had higher alcohol dependence or abuse.
• Over half of those convicted for drug, robbery, or burglary offenses were under the influence at the time of the offense. About one-fourth of property and drug offenders reported that they committed their crime to get money for drugs.
• Half of all inmates who met the conditions for substance dependence or abuse had a family member who had served time, most often a father or brother.
• Inmates who were dependent on or abused substances were more likely to have had a prior criminal record.
• Substance dependent and abusing inmates were also more likely to have been homeless in the year prior to admission to jail and were twice as likely to have lived in a foster home, agency, or institution. Over a fifth of these inmates reported physical or sexual abuse in the past.
• Treatment while under correctional supervision rose between 1996 and 2002. One in six inmates who used alcohol at the time of the offense and one in five who used drugs participated in treatment or other programs after admission.

(Karberg, JC, James, DJ: Bureau of justice statistics special report: Substance dependence, abuse, and treatment of jail inmates, 2002. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, July 2005, NCJ 209588)

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4. Tracking the Use of Medications for Substance Abuse Treatment
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