NCJ Number
62527
Date Published
1978
Length
9 pages
Annotation
GENERAL PRINCIPLES FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF CHEMICALLY-DEPENDENT INMATES ARE DISCUSSED, AND ASPECTS OF A MODEL PROGRAM FOR THE CARE OF SUCH INMATES ARE DESCRIBED.
Abstract
CHEMICAL DEPENDENCE IN AN INMATE MUST BE CLINICALLY DETERMINED BY A PHYSICIAN, WITH A WRITTEN PROCEDURE FOR TREATMENT APPROVED BY THE RESPONSIBLE PHYSICIAN. THE PROCEDURE SHOULD OUTLINE BOTH THE PHILOSOPHY AND THE MEDICAL MANAGEMENT OF CHEMICAL DEPENDENCE. THE FIRST PHASE OF A MODEL PROGRAM FOR THE CARE OF CHEMICALLY-DEPENDENT INMATES INVOLVES THE ARRESTING OFFICER, WHO SHOULD BE TRAINED TO RECOGNIZE HEALTH PROBLEMS AND MAKE CORRECT REFERRALS. A MODEL SYSTEM SHOULD ALSO PROVIDE FOR DIVERSION OF APPROPRIATE OFFENDERS TO ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT MODALITIES, SUCH AS DETOXIFICATION CENTERS AND OTHER DRUG AND ALCOHOL TREATMENT PROGRAMS. THE OPPORTUNITY FOR DIVERSION SHOULD EXIST AT A NUMBER OF POINTS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESSING (PRETRIAL, PRESENTENCE, POSTSENTENCE). AN ADMISSION SCREENING PROCEDURE, SUCH AS THAT OUTLINED IN AN AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION GUIDE, SHOULD BE USED. A MODEL IN-HOUSE PROGRAM SHOULD HAVE A CONTINUING RELATIONSHIP WITH COMMUNITY SELF-HELP PROGRAMS. THE TRAINING OF MEDICAL PERSONNEL, NONMEDICAL CORRECTIONAL STAFF, AND INMATE EDUCATION SHOULD FOCUS ON THE NATURE OF CHEMICAL DEPENDENCE AND ITS MEDICAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL, AND CULTURAL ASPECTS. AN EXPLICIT PLAN OF ACTION FOR EACH INMATE SHOULD BE DEVELOPED IN THE PRERELEASE PERIOD. WHICH INCLUDES POSTRELEASE INVOLVEMENT WITH COMMUNITY RESOURCES FOR CONTINUING TREATMENT. POSTRELEASE CONTACT WITH CORRECTIONS PERSONNEL SHOULD OCCUR REGULARLY, AND EVALUATION SHOULD BE PERFORMED TO MEASURE THE SUCCESS OF A PROGRAM IN ACHIEVING ITS STATED OBJECTIVES.