NCJ Number
112632
Journal
American Jails Volume: 2 Issue: 3 Dated: (Fall 1988) Pages: 54-56
Date Published
1988
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Bob May, Director of Special Projects for the American Jail Association, discusses a demonstration project on drug treatment in jails.
Abstract
The project will include model sites offering inmate drug treatment and the results of a survey of the Nation's 3,300 jails to determine the number, costs, types, deficiencies, and effects of treatment programs. The project also includes quarterly site visits and the provision of technical assistance to jails wishing to implement drug treatment programs. The first two sites are in Arizona and Florida, and a third site in Illinois was added in 1988. The programs treat both men and women. Grants are for 18 months, although treatment periods vary among the sites, ranging from 30 days to 4 to 6 months. Programs range from weekly counseling session to full-time residential treatment. All include referral to community-based treatment systems after release. The effectiveness of the programs will be evaluated in terms of continuation of post-release treatment, recidivism (including drug-related crimes), and urinalysis results at 6 months post-release. Since studies of illegal drug use among arrestees show positive test results for 57 to 82 percent, these demonstration projects will provide information to other jails about effective screening methods, recordkeeping, and treatment and counseling strategies. Jail treatment of drug-using inmates can facilitate rehabilitation and later involvement in community treatment and can be implemented in some form even by small jails.