Guide to Substance Abuse Treatment in Jail - Yahoo
Steve Thompson,Yahoo!
Contributor Network
Apr 2, 2008
I'd imagine that jail is the last place you'd want to start a substance abuse treatment program, but some people don't have the option. When you find yourself incarcerated for a drug-related offense, you no longer have access to the substances that kept you high on the outside, and going without some form of treatment program can make withdrawal unbearable. Fortunately, most prisons and jails have substance abuse treatment programs in-house.
According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), the first drug abuse treatment programs in jail were initiated in the late 1980s. Prisoners who are arrested and convicted of a drug-related offense, or who are suspected of some sort of drug or alcohol dependency, must take part in the treatment program as a condition of their release. Some prisoners are let go after they successfully complete the program, while others must remain incarcerated for longer sentences.
Types of Treatment
You might be surprised to discover that prisons and jails offer multiple types of substance abuse treatment for incarcerated individuals. For example, drug abuse information classes are frequently given to inmates who have just been imprisoned. They learn about the social, physical and psychological ramifications of drug abuse, and how to intelligently make decisions whether in jail or on the street. Most federal prisons also offer non-residential programs, transitional programs (for inmates who are about to be released), and community programs.
Length of Programs
Any substance abuse treatment program, whether in jail or out, is going to consist of more than just a weekend-long retreat. In prison, according to the BOP, inmates participate in 9-month residential programs, during which they are segregated from the general population. Each day, they participate in therapy with certified drug abuse counselors, and daily sessions usually last for four or five hours. Transitional programs, on the other hand, last between six and twelve months, and often extend beyond the release date of the inmate.
Participation Requirements
If you are in jail and have a drug problem, you will likely qualify for a substance abuse treatment program. Inmates are evaluated by a psychologist at the prison, who bases his or her decision on the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM). Drug abuse and drug dependence are both considered viable reasons for entry, and most inmates will qualify if they voice a desire to participate. If you haven't been assigned to a program but want to join, simply write a request to your case manager for consideration.
Benefits of the Programs
In many cases, first-time drug offenders can receive shorter sentences contingent upon successful completion of a substance abuse treatment program. Of course, this isn't always the case, and inmates receive far more important benefits from participation in these types of programs. For example, if you've been struggling with drug abuse or dependency for many years, a treatment program can help you finally shed those habits for good. Since you're already incarcerated, the program can be nothing but beneficial.
Additionally, inmates who complete substance abuse treatment programs show the courts that they are taking rehabilitation seriously. There are putting forth the effort to ensure they never wind up in prison again, and are expressing an interest in living life without illegal activity. This can weigh heavily on parole board decision and placement in community centers or halfway houses.
Source:
Federal Bureau of Prisons, Substance Abuse Treatment
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