| People argue about crime and punishment. The | | | | prison. From a money point of view, sending a |
| justice system is ever evolving and forever being | | | | prisoner back into society with few if any living |
| discussed. One issue regards the treatment of | | | | skills is a waste of money. The prisoner will likely |
| prisoners in our jails. Should they be helped? Is | | | | go back to crime and end up where they started. |
| prison there to punish or to rehabilitate or both? | | | | It makes sound economical sense to help |
| These issues are particularly important when we | | | | prisoners stay out of jail. |
| consider drugs. | | | | Of course from a humane point of view, helping |
| Substance abuse is a major factor in the cause | | | | people with a drug problem is always the best |
| of crime and substance abuse for prisoners when | | | | option for the individual and for society. |
| in jail is also a dangerous and ongoing problem | | | | So do the programs work? Well any test needs |
| while they are incarcerated. There is no doubt the | | | | to [a] cater for a large number of prisoners who |
| federal government wants to reduce crime and | | | | have undertaken the program and [b] to be held |
| to that end provides millions of dollars each year | | | | over many years. To date the jury is still out on |
| to fund programs in jails. The money filters down | | | | the effectiveness of such programs. |
| through state and local authorities but it does | | | | The content of the programs for prisoners is |
| come with certain strings attached. There is no | | | | pretty much the same used for people with a |
| program where money is thrown at the problem | | | | drug problem who are not in jail. There are two |
| in some wild hope the program will work. | | | | aspects of all programs. They want to help the |
| There are many conditions under which funds are | | | | addict kick their habit and they want to impart |
| granted for substance abuse programs. | | | | skills to help the addict remain drug free in the |
| - The program must run for at least 6 months | | | | future. Both are essential. |
| - The venue for the sessions must be isolated | | | | In jail, the prisoner has to overcome the need for |
| from the rest of the prison | | | | substance abuse and then remain drug free, |
| - A total or whole life approach must be | | | | hopefully for life. |
| pinpointed and | | | | Naturally there are people who speak out against |
| - Specific substance abuse must be the target of | | | | the programs. They argue that prisons are there |
| the program | | | | as a place of punishment. That is true of course |
| When you think that some US$10million was | | | | but sending a prisoner back into society for him |
| spent on drug rehabilitation programs for prisoners | | | | or her to take up their life of crime again benefits |
| in American jails in 2008 you can see that this is a | | | | nobody. Common sense suggests that removing |
| major offensive with the clear goal of helping | | | | prisoners from their substance abuse habit can |
| prisoners become drug free once they leave | | | | only help both the individual and society. |