NCJ Number
186409
Journal
Prison Journal Volume: 79 Issue: 1 Dated: March 1999 Pages: 23-44
Date Published
March 1999
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This article describes the substance involvement and treatment needs of women in State prisons.
Abstract
Data were obtained from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics Survey of Inmates in State Correctional Facilities. The most recent survey of State prison inmates was conducted in 1991 for the Bureau of Justice Statistics by the U.S. Bureau of the Census. Similar surveys were conducted in 1974, 1979, and 1986. During June, July, and August 1991, inmates were interviewed confidentially about their current offenses and sentences, criminal histories, families and personal backgrounds, gun possession and use, prior drug and alcohol use and treatment, and education programs and other services provided while in prison. A total of 13,986 inmates were interviewed. Findings showed that women who violated drug laws were the fastest growing segment of the prison population, increasing 379 percent since 1986. The majority of incarcerated women had histories of illegal drug use. This indicates the need for inmate substance abuse treatment. Issues of mental health were particularly important for women inmates. Experiences of sexual and/or physical abuse were common and often are overlooked. Substance-abusing women inmates had experienced abuse at much higher rates than had incarcerated men. Other issues that must be addressed are HIV/AIDS, family responsibilities, and vocational and educational training needs. Other sections of this report focus on treatment models for substance-involved women inmates and the impact of treatment for substance-involved women inmates. 9 tables and 80 references