Drug treatment in jails: Results of a nationwide survey

Although the number of drug-involved jail and prison admissions has risen sharply since 1985, there is little information available regarding the development of correctional programs designed to meet the treatment needs of this population. This article examines major findings from a nationwide survey of 1,737 American jails to identify the frequency with which jails provide drug treatment services, the type of services offered, and the extent of in-jail drug treatment programs currently being developed. Findings indicate that 28 percent of jails provide drug treatment services and that only 7 percent of jails provide a comprehensive level of treatment services. Implications for development of enhanced in-jail drug treatment programs are discussed.