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Drug Treatment Programs in Prisons That Work

Residential treatment is the best option for recovery available to prison inmates; however, successful recovery is contingent upon the inmate’s willingness to continue treatment upon release.

  1. BOP Options

    • According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, three types of drug treatment programs are offered in their facilities: drug abuse education, non-residential drug treatment and a residential drug abuse program (RDAP).

    RDAP

    • The RDAP is the most intensive of the prison drug treatment programs and is available to inmates within 36 months of their release. It houses participants separately from other inmates and requires that they complete a 9 month, 500 hour plan.

    Aftercare Counseling

    • All prison treatment programs require aftercare counseling for inmates upon completion of therapy. Aftercare counseling consists of one hour per month in a group or individual counseling session for at least one year or until the inmate’s release.

    Considerations

    • Only 20 percent of inmates receive treatment following their release.

      Continued care upon release is the true measure of the effectiveness of in-prison drug recovery programs. Only 20 percent of released inmates report having received such treatment in their first six months of reentry.

    Follow-up Treatment

    • Follow-up treatment after release is critical to successful recovery from drug addiction.

      Released inmates can pursue either independent 12-step programs, or transitional services (TS) offered by the BOP. TS are offered to inmates who enter halfway houses upon their release. Court orders for parole and probationary release may also mandate treatment upon release.

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