NCJ Number
141441
Journal
Large Jails Network Bulletin Volume: 1 Issue: 3 Dated: (November 1989), 18-20
Date Published
1989
Length
3 pages
Annotation
The Pima County, Arizona, Sheriff's Department received an 18-month Federal grant in 1987 to set up a national demonstration program showing how drug abusers could be treated successfully in the jail setting.
Abstract
It was decided that program leadership would be shared by two coordinators, one with a background in corrections and the other with experience in substance abuse treatment. Correctional officers had to become familiar with drug treatment techniques, and counselors had to become acquainted with basic jail security and emergency procedures. Every prospective program participant is interviewed by program coordinators, and about 30 interviews are conducted weekly. Preference is given to inmates who express serious interest in overcoming their drug dependence and to individuals whose youth or inexperience makes immediate treatment especially important. The design of Pima County's program is most easily implemented in a direct supervision jail, although many aspects of the program can be adapted to almost any jail.