PREPARED STATEMENT OF JUDITH RESNIK, LECTURER, SUPERVISING ATTORNEY, 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: 59480
• Author(s): J RESNIK
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 21 pages
• Corporate Author: US Congress
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: JULY 25, 1978

Annotation

PRISONERS AT THE DANBURY, CONN., FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION ARE DISSATISFIED WITH THE DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAM ADMINISTERED UNDER THE NARCOTIC ADDICT REHABILITATION ACT (NARA).

Abstract

NARA PERMITS A SENTENCING JUDGE TO COMMIT A CONVICTED INDIVIDUAL TO A FEDERAL INSTITUTION TO STUDY WHETHER THE INDIVIDUAL IS AN ADDICT AND IS LIKELY TO BE REHABILITATED THROUGH TREATMENT. THE INMATE MAY BE SENTENCED TO AN INDETERMINATE SENTENCE NOT TO EXCEED TEN YEARS, OR THE MAXIMUM SENTENCE PERMITTED FOR THE CRIME COMMITTED. THE SUPERVISING ATTORNEY OF YALE SCHOOL OF LAW LEGAL SERVICES INDICATES THAT NONE OF THE PRISONERS AT DANBURY WHO WERE SENTENCED UNDER NARA, AND WHO WERE ENTITLED TO DRUG ABUSE TREATMENT, HAVE RECEIVED PROPER ATTENTION. DESCRIPTIONS OF INDIVIDUAL CASES INDICATE THAT PRISONERS AT DANBURY WERE REQUIRED TO SIGN 'CONTRACTS' WITH PRISON OFFICIALS IN ORDER TO CONTINUE DRUG TREATMENT AND COUNSELING. PRISONERS WHO REFUSED TO SIGN THE DOCUMENTS WERE EXPELLED FROM TREATMENT AND DENIED PAROLE. ONLY ON THE ADVENT OF LITIGATION HAVE TREATMENT GROUPS BECOME AVAILABLE TO DANBURY, BUT THE MANNER OF CONDUCTING THE GROUP SESSIONS HAS BEEN CHAOTIC. MOST AFTERCARE PROGRAMS CONSIST OF SURVEILLANCE AND URINALYSIS, RATHER THAN COUNSELING ON A REGULAR BASIS. INMATES SHOULD RECEIVE ASSISTANCE, NOT BECAUSE OF THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL OR LEGAL RIGHTS, BUT SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY ARE MEDICALLY NEEDY. PROPER TREATMENT CAN BE EFFECTIVE IF ADMINISTERED BY TRAINED PERSONNEL IN A STRUCTURED ENVIRONMENT. FOOTNOTES ARE PROVIDED.