A majority of state inmates (53 percent) and almost half of federal inmates (45 percent) were abusing or were dependent on drugs in the year before their admission to prison. Abuse included repeated drug use in hazardous situations or recurrent occupational, educational, legal or social problems caused by drug use. Dependence criteria included a range of behavioral, cognitive and physiological problems. A national survey conducted in 2002 found 2 percent of U.S. residents to be drug dependent or drug abusing.
Nearly half of violent offenders in state prison (47 percent) met the criteria for recent drug dependence or abuse; more than a quarter (28 percent) committed their current offense while under the influence of drugs, and 10 percent said that the need to get money for drugs was a motive in their crimes. Source
Publications
Drug Treatment in the Criminal Justice System
An overview of information on drug involved offenders under correctional supervision and their treatment needs.
Drug Use and Dependence, State and Federal Prisoners, 2004
This report presents data from the 2004 Survey of Inmates in State and Federal Correctional Facilities on prisoners' prior use, dependence, and abuse of illegal drugs.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons' Drug Interdiction Activities
This review examines how drugs enter BOP institutions and what the BOP is doing and can do better to stem the flow of illegal drugs into its institutions.
Adobe Acrobat File
Principles of Drug Abuse Treatment for Criminal Justice Populations: A Research Based Guide
This guide is intended to describe the treatment principles and research findings that are of particular relevance to the criminal justice community and to treatment professionals working with drug abusing offenders.
Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners: Breaking the Drug-Crime Cycle Among Parole Violators (PDF)
This report provides an overview of an evaluation of the South Idaho Correctional Institution's Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT)program.
Substance Dependence, Abuse, and Treatment of Jail Inmates, 2002
Presents data from the 2002 Survey of Inmates in Local Jails on inmates’ prior use, dependence, and abuse of alcohol and illegal drugs.
Substance Abuse Services and Staffing in Adult Correctional Facilities
This report examines treatment services and staffing in adult correctional facilities.
Related Links
Corrections Statistics from the Bureau of Justice Statistics
This Web site summarizes data about jails, prisons, probation and parole.
Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP)
This Department of Justice agency is responsible for the custody and care of incarcerated Federal offenders.
National GAINS Center for People with Co-Occurring Disorders in the Criminal Justice System
This organization gathers information designed to influence the range and scope of mental health and substance abuse services provided to people in the criminal justice system.
National Institute of Corrections (NIC)
NIC provides training, technical assistance, information services, and policy/program development assistance to Federal, State, and local corrections agencies.
Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners (RSAT) Program
The RSAT Formula Grant Program assists states and units of local government in developing and implementing residential substance abuse treatment programs within state and local correctional and detention facilities.
Last Updated: March 19, 2007
