Drug Treatment: Despite New Strategy, Few Federal Inmates Receive Treatment
HRD-91-116
Published: Sep 16, 1991. Publicly Released: Oct 30, 1991.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed whether the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) provides adequate drug treatment to inmates and arranges for continued care upon their release, focusing on: (1) the number of federal inmates needing drug treatment; (2) the BOP strategy for providing drug treatment services to federal inmates; (3) access to treatment; and (4) treatment costs.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Justice | The Attorney General should direct the Director, BOP, to undertake an aggressive outreach effort to encourage inmates with moderate to severe substance abuse problems to enroll in the BOP intensive treatment programs. |
Closed – Implemented
Early release is a strong incentive for inmates to seek treatment while in prison. With the passage of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, BOP will have the authority to deduct up to one year from the statutory release date of non-violent inmates completing the residential drug abuse treatment program. BOP's residential programs are currently full (over 2,900 inmates) and BOP has a waiting list of over 1,400 inmates. BOP is planning to open 9 additional residential programs between now and 1997, for a total of 40.
|
| Department of Justice | The Attorney General should direct the Director, BOP, to assure that provision is made for both aftercare treatment services for released inmates who participated in the intensive programs as well as for education and counseling services in all prisons. |
Closed – Implemented
In 1992, BOP executed over 50 contracts for community-based treatment services for inmates completing a BOP drug treatment program and entering a BOP-contracted Community Corrections Center, where inmates continue to receive treatment and after-care services, extended through inmates' time under probation supervision. BOP also approved six transitional services manager positions.
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Topics
Correctional facilitiesCorrectional personnelSubstance abuseSubstance abuse treatmentFederal facilitiesMental health care servicesOffender rehabilitationPrisonersRehabilitation programsStatistical data