NCJ Number
182394
Date Published
1999
Length
11 pages
Annotation
The prison medical officer in the United Kingdom has an important influence on drug treatment options, especially in the context of how prison medicine is perceived, characteristics of the prison environment, and links between the length of time spent in prison and drug treatment options.
Abstract
Drug users pose an extensive problem for the prison service in the United Kingdom. Estimates of drug misuse prior to incarceration have shown up to 43 percent misused drugs in the 6 months prior to arrest; 11 percent were injecting drug users and 11 percent were drug-dependent. Because studies show that drug use in prison is continuing, each prison should develop a local strategy to reduce drug misuse. The prison medical officer plays a major role in developing such a strategy and in providing comprehensive services for drug users. Practical aspects of assessing and treating drug users in prison are concerned with consultation, assessment and intervention, and the gender factor (male-female differences). With appropriate treatment by the prison medical officer, drug-using inmates can change. Psychological interventions and support, as well as medical treatment, are important since evidence indicates those in drug treatment programs are less likely to re-offend. 14 references, 1 table, and 1 figure