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Drug Treatment Programs for Inmates

According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, 70 to 85 percent of prison inmates need some type of substance-abuse treatment. It was once a common belief that there was no such thing as a successful prison rehabilitation program. In the 1990s, however, Dr. Harry K. Wexler, a research and clinical psychologist, led a study that found prison-based substance-abuse programs, combined with aftercare, was an effective treatment that reduced the chance of relapse of criminal behavior. Now, approximately 73 percent of jails in the United States provide drug treatment programs for their inmates.

  1. Drug Abuse Education Courses

    • The Federal Bureau of Prisons operates several drug treatment programs. If there is evidence that alcohol or drugs contributed to an inmate's offense, the judge may require him or her to participate in a drug-abuse course. A judge may also order an inmate to take a drug-abuse course if he or she violated parole because of alcohol or drug use. During this kind of program, an inmate learns about the effects of abusing alcohol and drugs.

    Residential Treatment Programs

    • If an inmate has a severe alcohol or drug addiction, he or she may participate in a residential treatment program. Residential treatment programs normally take place in a separate detention center where drug users are housed together. It is usually a half-day rehabilitation program that takes place five days a week and is both intensive and highly structured. The inmate also spends time learning educational and working skills. Depending on the inmate's condition, he or she may also be a candidate for the pharmacological maintenance program. According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, this involves administration of medication that can replace illicit drugs or block their effects.

    Transitional Programs

    • The transitional program is the next step after an inmate has completed the residential treatment program. This program offers support and counseling for the inmate making the transition from prison to society, according to the Office of National Drug Control Policy. It involves a variety of treatment options to address each inmate's needs. But in general, treatment consists of individual counseling and group therapy. It can also include relapse-prevention strategies and recovery training.

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