NCJ Number
125944
Date Published
1990
Length
25 pages
Annotation
This report presents the results of a 1987 survey conducted by the American Jail Association that samples over 1,700 jails from 48 States to determine the existence and characteristics of in-jail drug treatment services. This is one phase of a larger project that will establish jail drug treatment demonstration projects in several metropolitan jails.
Abstract
Most jails did not have adequate drug treatment services. Only 15 percent of the jails with less than 50 inmates reported having any type of drug treatment services. Drug treatment programs were more likely to be reported in larger jails, jails with a continuum of adjunctive support services, and jails oriented toward the development of inmate and staff programs as well as innovative inmate management. Fewer than 20 percent of all jails reported a drug treatment program with paid staff. Many of the programs that do exist are inadequate by standards for effective drug treatment as practiced in community residential or intensive outpatient programs. Survey results indicate the need for standards to guide jail administrators and treatment staff to provide in-jail drug treatment services. 7 tables, survey questionnaire, and 14 references