Drugs in Prison Essay - 3335 Words

Abstract This research paper will consist of an analysis of the use and abuse of illicit drugs within the prison systems on a global basis. With information gathered from various sources such as the internet and one on one interviews with an inmate in a male correctional facility and a former inmate of a female correctional facility I intend to show the rampant flow of drugs in and out of the prison system, the control of (or lack there of) by prison officials, the drug gangs and dealers in correctional facilities, the rate of addiction, and treatments available to inmates suffering from addiction. The introduction of drugs into the prison system has been an issue for corrections staff for many years. Prison officials†¦show more content†¦Even though the men and women behind the walls are segregated from the outside world, the same trials and tribulations you or I must deal with each day are also dealt with by inmates. When looking at the reason why inmates feel the need to escape from reality, the same reasoning factors apply to those whom are not incarcerated choosing to abuse drugs. Low self-esteem, the inability to cope with the crime or crimes committed that caused incarceration and the deterioration of family relationships are just a few of the reasons inmates use to turn to the use of drugs. At one point in time the high percentage of men and women who are drug abusers were a minority in the prison population worldwide. In 1998 Paul Turnbull explored the prison population and found Â…30% of prisoners in the United Kingdom, two thirds of the prison population in the United States, and 25% of probation and prison population in Sweden are believed to be dependent drug users (Turnbull and Webster 1998).# Studies have also found that inmates with previous drug abuse history are in fear of punishment when requesting treatment. Inmates who need to have drug treatment do not receive any assistance as their fear of punishment is overwhelming thus causing inmates to continue with their drug behavior. The drug treatment options available to inmates varies on the country in which the individual is incarcerated. TheShow MoreRelatedOvercrowded Prisons and the War on Drugs1178 Words   |  5 PagesThe War on Drugs One must wonder if the war on drugs helps or hinders our American Criminal Justice System when you look at the overwhelming impact it has had on crowding issues within our prisons. At the present time there are over 1.5 million people in prison, 59.6 % for drug offenses alone. The war on drugs started over 100 years ago in San Francisco, California when the first law against drugs was enacted to stop the smoking of opium. In all actuality, this law was against the ChineseRead MoreShould Drug Addicts Be Prison? Essay1771 Words   |  8 PagesIn discussions of drug addicts, one controversial issue has been whether to send drug addicts to prison or rehab. The issue presented is the cause of why drug addicts are sentenced to jail time rather then being sent to a rehab facilitation. Due to how addicted they are to drugs, many believe that prison will help them, Drug addicts should be placed in a rehab center so that they can get the help that they need. Addiction may be a societal problem, but more than anything else it is an individualRead More Drugs in the Prison System Essay3203 Words   |  13 PagesDrugs in the Prison System This research paper will consist of an analysis of the use and abuse of illicit drugs within the prison systems on a global basis. With information gathered from various sources such as the internet and one on one interviews with an inmate in a male correctional facility and a former inmate of a female correctional facility I intend to show the rampant flow of drugs in and out of the prison system, the control of (or lack there of) by prison officials, theRead MoreShould Violent Drug Offenders Be Prison?1049 Words   |  5 PagesThere has been debate over whether non-violent drug offenders belong in prison. Some believe all drug offenders should be put in prison, others believe that it depends on circumstances, and, still others believe only violent drug offenders should be incarcerated. Overcrowding is one point of contention. It seems as though the slightest infraction can land a person in prison. Violence is rampant, whether inmate versus inmate or inmate versus guard. Rehabilitation or education is practically non-existentRead MoreIs Drug Treatment a Viable Alternative to Prison Time? Essay1113 Words   |  5 PagesPrisons and county jails are extremely over populated, so over populated that in some jails inmates are sleeping on the floors. According to Senator Jeanne Shaheen (From Senator Jeanne Shaheen: Prison Overcrowding, 2011), the federal prisons are currently 35 percent over their capacity. The overc rowding is costing the criminal justice system and taxpayers more money to transfer inmates to other facilities and in lawsuits brought by inmates against the prisons. With the prisons and county jailsRead MoreThe Private Prison System War On Drugs And Mass Incarceration883 Words   |  4 PagesThe Private Prison System War on drugs and Mass Incarceration A private prison or for-profit prison is a place in which individuals are physically confined or incarcerated by a third party that is contracted by a government agency. Private prison companies typically enter into contractual agreements with governments that commit prisoners and then pay a per diem or monthly rate, either for each prisoner in the facility or for each place available, whether occupied or not. Such contracts may be forRead MoreAmericas War on Drugs - The Prison Industrial Complex Essay911 Words   |  4 Pagesviewing the documentary: Americas War on Drugs - The Prison Industrial Complex, it is clear that the Criminal Justice System is in desperate need of reconstruction and repair with policies such as the mandatory minimum sentencing act which has proven to be unsuccessful and unjust in its efforts to deter criminals from committing illegal acts as seen with the increase of incarcerations of the American people and the devastating effect it has had on those in pris on and the family members of those incarceratedRead MoreWomen Who Use Drugs Are Caught Up Within A Cycle Of Prison And Reoffending1052 Words   |  5 PagesWomen who use drugs tend to be caught up in a cycle of prison and reoffending. The article written by Margaret Pereira is her personal account of the damaging effect that incarceration can have on a woman and her family. Pereira posits that something should be done to curb the cyclical nature of drug use and incarceration. She notes that since the advent of the war on drugs the amount of offenses created by arresting drug users has increased the workload of officers significantly, rather thanRead MoreShould Drugs Be Legalized?1239 Words   |  5 Pages80-90% of all inmates are incarcerated due to drug related crime or robbery to help pay for their drugs that they owe money on. For these inmates dealing with drugs is something very normal in their lives. Drugs being involved in prisons is also something that is very similar to the world. Prison guards find an inmate trying to smuggle in drugs at least once a week. As seen on Orange is the New Black in many episodes in season 2 and 3 the inmates smuggled in tobacco for cigarettes and Nicky got inRead More235764916 CJA 394 Week 1 Criminal Justice Overview Paper SAMPLE page only1665 Words   |  7 Pagesï » ¿ Select one of the following issues: †¢ Racial profiling †¢ Prison overcrowding †¢ The war on drugs †¢ Increased use of technology †¢ Cultural diversity Write a 1,050- to 1,705-word paper addressing how your selected issue affects the criminal justice system as a whole. †¢ Describe some of the change(s) the criminal justice system as a whole has made in response to the issue you selected. †¢ Include your opinion on whether the changes are sufficient. Should more changes be made, and if so, what changes