Argument Against Long-Term Addiction Treatment in Prison

• NCJ Number: 72450
• Journal: Drug Forum Volume: 5 Issue: 4 Dated: (1976-1977) Pages: 369-373
• Author(s): R G Newman
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 5 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Presented at the 104th Congress of the American Correctional Association, Houston, Texas, August 21, 1974.

Annotation

Long-term treatment in the prison setting is socially unproductive, clinically dangerous, professionally unethical, and fiscally irresponsible; the best alternative would be the decriminalization of drug and drug paraphernalia possession.

Abstract

Recidivism among released prison inmates, addicts as well as nonaddicts, is generally the rule rather than the exception. Factors outside the correctional system share a major responsibility for such high recidivism rates, with employers, communities, and licensing bodies contributing to the perception of ex-offenders as criminals or junkies. Also, the special attention given to drug-using inmates has led to the overuse of treatment programs in correctional institutions. Psychotherapy cannot be successful when applied to unwilling subjects whose only real desire is to get out of jail. The societal problem of addiction does not lend itself to simplistic solutions imposed on imprisoned addicts. The great danger in 'treating' inmates who are in no position to refuse services is that the therapists who view addiction as symptomatic of character disturbance may go on to treat other forms of deviance as expressions of the same underlying psychopathology (e.g., homosexuality or radical political views). Moreover, when clinicians are paid by a third party (the institution) rapport with an incarcerated patient becomes almost impossible. Thus, the enormous expenditures on personnel and physical facilities cannot be justified. Therefore, rational alternatives would include addressing medical problems through detoxification services and diagnostic and therapeutic services for venereal disease, liver dysfunction, skin lesions, and pulmonary disease. The custodial care must be as humane as possible and consistent with the institution's security needs. Programs should be made available to provide education and training relevant to the inmate population, so that progress made in prison will not be negated by postrelease inabilities. Orientation and referral should be offered to resources in the community which provide services needed following release. Moreover, the possession of any self-administered drug should be decriminalized, as the highest court in the land has ruled that drug dependence is not a crime. Whatever the legal rationale, those who work in prisons can attest to the futility of sending people to jail for these 'crimes.' Five references are provided.