Prison Issues in the Criminal Justice Field : Drugs/Alcohol

Report on In-Prison Substance Abuse Programs in California

CC Pro — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 18:02:00 GMT

A special review examining the in-prison substance abuse programming managed by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) has been published by the California Office of the Inspector General (OIG). This review contains findings that detail the practices that have impacted treatment effectiveness within California institutions. A key finding notes the failure to establish a "therapeutic community model." Other findings address programming costs, the selection process for the providers of treatment services, and the need for improved fiscal and management controls. A response from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (Attachment A) addresses the findings and proposes remedies for corrective measures in an effort to implement the Governor's comprehensive prison reforms.

Prostitution on the Street and Prostitution in Prisons-Same Dynamics?

Peggy L. Ritchie — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 18:52:00 GMT

The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services of the U.S Department of Justice just published its second edition of Street Prostitution. This Guide provides insights into how communities can address key problems such as:

Harm and its Spillover Effect
Economic Concerns
Civil Rights Concerns
Factors Contributing to Street Prostitution such as: Pimps, Drugs, Clients
How to Deter and Target Prostitutes and Their Clients
Public Health Issues

How do you manage this special population in your prisons?

Do they contribute to HIV/Aids in prisons?

Have you developed any special programs or research that you can share?

Do any of these concepts apply to prostitution in our prisons? Male or female?

Share your thoughts on this unique sub-population within our prisons. Thanks.

Is Drug Treatment Worth the Money?

Peggy L. Ritchie — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 16:02:00 GMT

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) just published "Principles of Drug Abuse Treatment for Criminal Justice Populations-A Research-Based Guide". Now available- Click here. Topics include:

Principles
Resources
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Why do people involved in the criminal justice system continue abusing drugs?
Are relapse risk factors different in offender populations?
Is providing drug abuse treatment to offenders worth the financial investment?
What are unique treatment needs for women in the criminal justice system?

What are your thoughts on the return on investment of drug treatment? Any data you can share?

More resources at the National Institute of Corrections Information Center:

Most marijuana users get their drugs free and from friends- See Report

Peggy L. Ritchie — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 17:07:00 GMT

The Rand Corporation has just published a monthly report called "Innovative National Study of U.S. Marijuana Markets Yields New Insights". The report calls into question common drug enforcement tactics and public perceptions of traditional "street corner drug markets" and how marijuana is distributed.

How does this affect our public policies and laws? How does this affect public perception of distribution? Arrest rates? Who's in our jails and prisons? What do you think?

WHO Releases "Status Paper on Prison, Drugs and Harm Reduction" Does Harm Reduction Work?

Peggy L. Ritchie — Fri, 04 Aug 2006 16:53:00 GMT

The World Health Organization released the "Status Paper on Prisons, Drugs and Harm Reduction" , May 2005. There continues to be controversy in the field on the efficacy of "Harm Reduction" as a treatment strategy. The Europeans and Canada continue to move in this direction. What do you think?

This paper:

Defines harm reduction
Addresses how harm can be reduced (continuum of approaches)
Needles and syringe exchanges in prison
Treatment and care of HIV/AIDS

NIDA Publishes "Principles of Drug Abuse Treatment for Criminal Populations"

Peggy L. Ritchie — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 15:11:00 GMT

NIDA just published "Principles of Drug Abuse Treatment for Criminal Populations" . You can review these principles in depth:

Addiction is a Brain Disease
Recovery Takes Time
Length of Treatment Critical
Assessment
Responsivity Issues
Monitor Drug Use
Criminal Thinking Patterns Addressed
Agency Collaboration

NIJ and the US Department of Health Release: "Synthetic Drug Control Strategy: A Focus on Methamphetamine and RX Drug Abuse"

Peggy L. Ritchie — Mon, 24 Jul 2006 17:33:00 GMT

NIJ, the US Department of Health, and the Executive Office of the President, Office of National Drug Control Policy on June 1, 2006 released the Administration's strategy for responding to the illicit use and production of methamphetamine and non-medical use of controlled substance prescription drugs. The goal is to reduce the illicit use of both categories by 15% in the US. How will this impact your agency? How are your goals linked to treatment? Reentry? This document outlines:

Concurrent International and Domestic Focus on Meth Supplies (Federal, state, and city control strategies)
Treatment of Meth Users
Prevention and Research
Controlled Substance Prescription Drug Abuse including "Illegal Online Pharmacies"
Helping Child Victims of Methamphetamine

and more....

Methamphetamine Abuse: The New Addiction Continues to Challenge All Criminal Justice Agencies and Local Communities

Peggy L. Ritchie — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 19:12:00 GMT

The epidemic of methamphetamine use is no longer a regional American issue. The addiction itself, and community responses to the users and distributors, pose unique treatment needs and law enforcement strategies. The U.S. Department of Justice and other national agencies such as the National Associations of Counties (see Meth Action Clearinghouse) continue to monitor the national scope of the issues. Some states are beginning to develop special treatment and living units for methamphetamine addicts.