Drug Histories and Criminality of Inmates of Local Jails in the United States (1978) - Implications for Treatment and Rehabilitation of the Drug Abuser in a Jail Setting

• NCJ Number: 87183
• Journal: International Journal of the Addictions Volume: 17 Issue: 3 Dated: (1982) Pages: 417-444
• Author(s): W I Barton
• Date Published: 1982
• Length: 28 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Statistics
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A Department of Justice survey of inmates in local jails during during 1978 found that 68 percent of inmates had used drugs like heroin, cocaine, marijuana, etc., outside a treatment program and without a doctor's prescription.

Abstract

Offenses for which relatively larger proportions of inmates reported drug use included robbery, burglary, auto theft, larceny, and drug offenses. Jail counseling, educational, and medical programs for drug-abusing inmates are inadequate due to lack of space and funds. The development of standards in this area will be helpful in improving services. Outside agencies need to become more involved in providing services to jails. Litigation has been successful, although the Supreme Court's decision in Rhodes v. Chapman (1981) may limit the court's role in changing correctional facility conditions. Tabular and graphic study data and 12 references are included.