Trends in Drug Use, Abuse and Dependence among Prisoners and Jail Inmates, 1997-2009

• In Event: Substance Use Disorders and Treatment Alternatives for Criminal Offender Populations

Abstract

This presentation uses national-level data collected by the Bureau of Justice Statistics to examine patterns of illicit drug use, prevalence rates of substance use disorders, and participation in drug treatment or a program among state prisoners and jail inmates. Receipt of treatment or program participation since admission is evaluated by length of time an inmate has been in the facility. Trends in drug use patterns are assessed over time, and are presented by selected characteristics of inmate groups. Data on drug use at time of the offense as well as whether or not the inmate committed the offense to get money for drugs are also discussed. Comparisons of rates of drug use, substance use disorders, and treatment are made between inmate groups and the general population, by past year involvement in the criminal justice system. Findings show that prisoners and jail inmates have higher rates of illicit drug use and higher rates of a substance use disorder than the general population. Data sources include the National Inmate Survey 2007-2009 (NIS-1 and NIS-2), Survey of Inmates in Local Jail 2002 (SILJ), Survey of Prison Inmates 2004, 1997 (SPI), and the 2007-08 National Survey of Drug Use and Health (NSDUH).

Authors

• Jennifer Bronson, Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Department of Justice

• Jessica Stroop, Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Department of Justice