Residential Treatment for Substance Abuse Prisoners

There is no doubt that illegal drugs are a scourge on our society. These drugs wreck the lives of many people including many young people. Some die as a result of their drug-taking. And crime is largely fuelled by drugs. So when our prisons become crammed with prisoners who have been involved with drugs, the question arises as to what, if anything, should society do for these prisoners.

Some argue that prison is a place of punishment and prisoners should serve their time with few benefits and plenty of hardship. Others take a more humanitarian approach. But whatever your opinion the fact remains that these prisoners may soon be back on our streets and could possibly become involved in drugs again. If so these people may again turn to crime to sponsor their addiction.

That is why money has been made available to different levels of government to run programs in jails for prisoners who have been involved with illegal drugs. The aim of the programs is to help the prisoners become drug-free and to be well prepared for life once they are released.

In some cases the annual expenditure on substance abuse treatment programs tops the $10 million mark. But there are conditions including the following.

The money is only provided if the treatment center is a separate part of the jail, if the program deals with the whole person and not just their drug addiction, programs must run for at least 6 months and must have specific goals regarding the issue of helping drug addicts.

One aspect of the whole person approach is to assist with work skills. Many prisoners were unemployed people who saw drugs as either a way to make money or to relieve their despondency at not being able to find work. By giving the prisoners classes aimed at developing work skills, the prisoners, upon their release, will have the ability to find work and thus avoid the need to make money through drugs.

A residential treatment center for those suffering substance abuse will also consider the social and emotional aspects of the inmates. Many people lack the ability to relate well with others and many suffer from psychological distress. They have come from a broken home – and many have – and lack the ability to understand such things as love, consideration and empathy. They may have a strange and distorted view of the world and their fellow citizens. Any program which seeks to help the drug-addicted prisoner recover from their addiction must also help them gain work skills, learn to appreciate and consider the rights of others and help heal their emotional scars. It’s a wide-ranging task which must be undertaken if people are not to re-offend.

Of course it is hard to know if the programs are effective. A prisoner may be set free but it could be months or even years before they can be given the all-clear as far as criminal behavior is concerned. Not every inmate will be successful once released back into society but every prisoner who does not re-offend is saving the community a great deal of money and suffering.