Folsom State Prison in California has begun a 90 day rehabilitation program for drug addicted offenders. The program has been quite successful and consideration to use the program statewide is in effect. A very large number of inmates are in jails and prisons due to drug related offenses resulting from their drug addiction. This is very good news & I hope it spreads nationwide!
Roughly two-thirds of the state’s inmates return to prison within three years of release. While the three-year-old Folsom program is still relatively new, early indicators show that more than 60 percent of those who complete the program continue to seek treatment, which helps keep parolees from returning to prison.
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I think it is quite a good idea to offer such treatment to prisoners. I might add this information in the article about drug treatment programs on my blog.
Thanks, Cathy
I strongly beleive in offering programs to help drug addicts and alcoholics within the prison systems. The majority of those incarcerated cannot afford to attend a treatment facility, or afford health insurance. I think allowing access to help instead of just punishment will continue to increase the success rate of those released.
In my son’s journey through addiction and into recovery, he has had multiple opportunities to participate in Drug and alcohol treatment. I think it has been very helpful to him, as welll as introducing him to 12-step recovery. It gave him hope while in prison, and motivation to continue that process on the outside. He has not always stayed sober, but each time the length of sobriety was a little longer. Thus far, since his last incarceration, he had 11 months clean one day at a time! It always works if you work it, wherever you are!
I think it is a wonderful solution to offer drug and alcohol programs in jails and prisons. Many people end up committing crimes solely in pursuit of their addiction. It gives inmates a chance to truley change their lives by having a change on the inside.
I am glad to hear there is something now in effect. I wish this would spread through all the prisons. I had someone very close to me who was sentenced to prison and there was NO therapy. He had to kick the habit all on his own.
Well, the prison systems are overwhelmed in Ca. with drug offenders HOWEVER while I think it is a noble idea and resolution to have drug rehab in prison, it presents a bevy of further issues:
*Prison politics: inmates have their own rules and if rehab is frowned upon, then, it is likely to be unsuccessful.
*You cannot force someone who does not want to quit… to do that…. actually quit.
*How will parole iffer in order to monitor progress or regression? (drug screens?)
*Drugs are still WIDELY AVAILABLE in prison – just beacuse you’re in a program… is that enough?
*Will there be steeper re-offense policies?
I am grateful for Folsom for stepping up and trying to cahnge the pace… I PRAY this leads to new facets of discovery!
I am a success story, because of treatment while incarcerated. I was in prison sitting out a 40 month DOSA sentence for delivery of meth at the age of 23. I was mandated to do the 12 month intensive impaitent program the prison offered. It changed my life! I now work full time and attended school full time. I found the web site because I am writing a final for my English class about putting more addiction treatment programs in prison. SO more addicts can have a second chance at life.
My Son Daniel is a Heroin Addict and about to go to prison for unpaid fines – I am worried sick, because I am afraid he might not get the help he will need whilst in there – what should I do – should I inform the prison authorities about his addiction??? Do you think they will help him?? I live in PA – Please help – I am worried sick about him – he is 21 and seems to want the help.