PREPARED STATEMENT OF MATTHEW L MYERS, CHIEF STAFF COUNSEL, NATIONAL PRISON PROJECT (FROM DRUG ABUSE TREATMENT, PART 2 - HEARINGS BEFORE THE HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON NARCOTICS ABUSE AND CONTROL - SEE NCJ-59477)

• NCJ Number: 59482
• Author(s): M L MYERS
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 5 pages
• Corporate Author: US Congress
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: JULY 25, 1978

Annotation

THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS HAS FAILED TO COPE WITH THE DRUG ABUSE PROBLEMS WHICH AFFECT ONE-THIRD OF THE INMATES IN FEDERAL INSTITUTIONS.

Abstract

OVER 10,000 FEDERAL PRISONERS HAVE SERIOUS DRUG ABUSE PROBLEMS, YET THE FEDERAL PROGRAM OF DRUG TREATMENT IS ONLY AVAILABLE TO 900 INMATES. THE CHIEF STAFF COUNSEL OF THE NATIONAL PRISON PROJECT OF THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION FOUNDATION INDICATES THAT THE NARCOTIC ADDICT REHABILITATION ACT (NARA) HAS NOT BEEN USED TO DEVELOP TREATMENT PROJECTS IN THE LARGEST OF THE FEDERAL PRISONS. COUNTERPRODUCTIVE RESTRICTIONS ON ELIGIBILITY FOR TREATMENT HAVE BEEN IMPOSED BY CONGRESS, INCLUDING THE EXCLUSION FROM THERAPY OF ANY INMATE WITH TWO PRIOR FELONY CONVICTIONS. THERE HAS BEEN AN EXTREME LACK OF GUIDANCE AND SUPERVISION OF EXISTING PROGRAMS, WITH MANY OFFICIALS BELIEVING THAT EACH INSTITUTION WAS FREE TO ADMINISTER ITS OWN PROGRAM. THE DRUG ABUSE TASK FORCE OF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS REPORTED ITS AWARENESS OF THE INADEQUACIES OF DRUG PROGRAMS IN 1978, BUT THE BUREAU CONTINUES TO DO NOTHING FOR ITS INMATES. THE TASK FORCE RECOMMENDED THE PROVISION OF ASSISTANCE TO DRUG ABUSERS, BUT NO PROVISION HAS BEEN MADE FOR AN INCREASE IN STAFF TO WORK WITH OFFENDERS. THE OPTION TO USE OUTSIDE PERSONNEL IS LEFT TO LOCAL UNIT MANAGERS. A SURVEY BY THE GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE INDICATES THAT MANY INMATES HAVE BEEN GIVEN EXCESSIVE DOSES OF PHENOTHIAZINES AS A MEANS OF MAINTAINING ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL. FOOTNOTES ARE PROVIDED. (TWK).