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Drug Programs in Prison

According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, some prisons have intiated drug treatment programs to reduce misconduct, behavioral concerns, substance abuse, relapse and criminal activity. At the same time, the Federal Bureau of Prisons believes that attending programs for substance abuse will increase a prisoner's concern of societal norms and embrace rehabilitation standards. The Federal Bureau of Prisons continues to change the structure of programming for individual prisons as well as inmate needs.

  1. Program Options

    • The federal prison system offers five different substance abuse treatment programs for inmates. Options for inmates vary from prison to prison. Substance abuse educational classes and drug testing are offered within all federal prisons. Voluntary Residential Drug Abuse Programs exist in over half of the federal prison systems. Non-residential drug abuse programs provide an option for offenders either waiting for an opening within an RDAP, do not have time for an RDAP or the offender's prison does not offer an RDAP. Non-residential drug abuse programs are offered at all federal prisons. If a prison offers RDAP's, it includes a transition aftercare program. The aftercare program assists inmates transitioning to a halfway house and then on to community probation.

    Therapy Strategy

    • The federal prison system structures most drug abuse programs around cognitive behavioral therapy. According to the National Association of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapists, CBT contains specific identifying factors that rely on the theory that a person's thoughts, not his environment, dictates his behavior. Prison systems find favor in CBT due to the shorter time span and the structured themes of treatment completion compared to other treatment options. A consistent relationship between the inmate and counselor proves useful within CBT. CBT contains characteristics of Socratic methods which allow the counselor to initiate questioning designed to invoke critical thinking. Inmates receive homework assignments to allow for reflection and personal inquiry into the disease.

    Eligibility

    • The eligibility of drug abuse programs in federal prisons depends on the education needed. Most programs require a prisoner to provide proof of past or existing drug-related problems. A psychologist within the prison may provide the diagnosis for a drug-related disorder as defined by the American Psychological Association if the prisoner did not have previous evaluations. A second requirement considers the prisoner's ability to successfully complete the entire program.

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