Substance Abuse
The Issue
Because a history of using drugs and/or alcohol is common to so many people in prisons and jails - both generally and in connection with particular criminal offenses - it is especially key that addiction issues be addressed during the period of incarceration. Failing to capitalize on this opportunity to treat addiction poses risks to successful prisoner reintegration, public safety, and public health. Utilizing programs proven to be effective, prioritizing resources for those nearing release, and encouraging community-based aftercare will ensure better outcomes for re-entering prisoners and the communities to which they return.
Challenges
- Proliferation of outdated or non-validated instruments that do not measure addiction treatment needs accurately
- Number of people incarcerated who have a history of substance abuse that far exceeds availability of treatment
- Treatment programs that frequently do not adhere to evidence-based treatment modalities
- Difficulty recruiting and retaining qualified, culturally-competent treatment professionals
- Lack of coordinated service delivery and aftercare to prevent and respond to relapse
Our Publications
Public Housing Authorities and Prisoner Re-Entry
A growing number of people are released each year from state prison and local jails; this phenomenon, prisoner reentry, has a significant impact on housing programs administered by PHAs, including public housing, the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8), and other programs.
Related Information
Publication:
To Treat or Not to Treat: Evidence on the Prospects of Expanding Treatment to Drug-Involved Offenders
Urban Institute
(2008)
Publication:
Substance Abuse and Public Safety
Justice Policy Institute
(2008)
Program Example:
California: Delancey Street Foundation
Legislation:
(HI) Hawaii Senate Bill 1188

