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Drug Histories and Criminality of Inmates of Local Jails in the United States (1978) - Implications for Treatment and Rehabilitation of the Drug Abuser in a Jail Setting

NCJ Number
87183
Journal
International Journal of the Addictions Volume: 17 Issue: 3 Dated: (1982) Pages: 417-444
Author(s)
W I Barton
Date Published
1982
Length
28 pages
Annotation
A Department of Justice survey of inmates in local jails during during 1978 found that 68 percent of inmates had used drugs like heroin, cocaine, marijuana, etc., outside a treatment program and without a doctor's prescription.
Abstract
Offenses for which relatively larger proportions of inmates reported drug use included robbery, burglary, auto theft, larceny, and drug offenses. Jail counseling, educational, and medical programs for drug-abusing inmates are inadequate due to lack of space and funds. The development of standards in this area will be helpful in improving services. Outside agencies need to become more involved in providing services to jails. Litigation has been successful, although the Supreme Court's decision in Rhodes v. Chapman (1981) may limit the court's role in changing correctional facility conditions. Tabular and graphic study data and 12 references are included.