This report presents the findings from a survey of all adult and juvenile correctional facilities nationwide regarding substance abuse treatment service provided onsite to adult and juvenile inmates and residents. Because this is the first study of its kind, no comparison to past years is drawn.
The survey was designed to determine the extent to which each facility provided substance abuse services (assessments, testing, education or awareness programs, and substance abuse-related self-help groups), then focused on the types of treatment offered, the number of inmates or residents in treatment, and the staff providing treatment. Among the study’s findings:
- In 1997, approximately 40 percent of correctional facilities provided on-site substance abuse treatment to inmates or residents.
- Private organizations provided 52 percent of the treatment programs in juvenile facilities.
- 52 percent of facilities that provide substance abuse treatment had fewer than 250 inmates or residents.
The survey was conducted as a response to previous findings about the relationship between drugs and crime, particularly that there has been a significant increase in recent years in the proportion of the population in the U.S. criminal justice system that is being held for drug-related offenses. 53 pages. Free. Contact: National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information, P.O. Box 2345, Rockville, MD 20847. (800) 729-6686. www.samhsa.gov/OAS/OASftp.htm.
– Amy Bracken
