PREPARED STATEMENT OF DENNIS E CURTIS, PROFESSOR (ADJUNCT) OF LAW, YALE LAW SCHOOL (FROM DRUG ABUSE TREATMENT, PART 2 -HEARINGS BEFORE THE HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON NARCOTICS ABUSE AND CONTROL - SEE NCJ-59477)

• NCJ Number: 59481
• Author(s): D E CURTIS
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 6 pages
• Corporate Author: US Congress
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: JULY 25, 1978

Annotation

INMATES OF THE FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION AT DANBURY, CONN. ALLEGE THAT THERE IS NO REAL DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAM AT DANBURY, ALTHOUGH SUCH TREATMENT IS REQUIRED UNDER FEDERAL LAW.

Abstract

THE DIRECTOR OF CLINICAL STUDIES FOR THE YALE SCHOOL OF LAW INDICATES THAT MANY OF HIS CLIENTS AT THE DANBURY PRISON HAVE BEEN DENIED EFFECTIVE DRUG TREATMENT DESPITE THEIR SENTENCING UNDER THE NARCOTIC ADDICT REHABILITATION ACT (NARA). THIS FEDERAL STATUTE REQUIRES TREATMENT FOLLOWING COMMITMENT UNDER THE ACT. AT DANBURY, HOWEVER, THERE HAS BEEN NO PROGRAM WHICH QUALIFIES AS DRUG TREATMENT. NO STRUCTURED ENVIRONMENT, NO INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT, NO INMATE PEER PRESSURE, AND NO THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITY HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE. PROFESSIONAL STAFF HAS DWINDLED, AND NO EXADDICT COUNSELORS HAVE BEEN EMPLOYED SINCE 1975. PROGRAMS WHICH BEGAN IN 1978 ARE CONSIDERED INSUFFICIENT FOR THE REHABILITATION OF DRUG ADDICTS. IF THE BUREAU OF PRISONS CANNOT FULFILL THE MANDATE OF NARA BY PROVIDING TREATMENT FOR ADDICTION, IT SHOULD CANDIDLY ADMIT ITS FAILURE AND CEASE THE CHARADE WHICH DEMEANS BOTH THE BUREAU AND THE INMATES. NARA ITSELF SHOULD ALSO BE MODIFIED BY THE ELIMINATION OF THE LINKAGE BETWEEN PROGRAM PARTICIPATION AND PAROLE. CERTIFICATION FOR PAROLE IS ONLY USED TO MAKE INMATES ATTEND GROUP SESSIONS TO AND TO CREATE THE MERE APPEARANCE OF A TREATMENT PROGRAM. FOOTNOTES ARE PROVIDED. (TWK)