Addiction and incarceration actually go hand-in-hand in many ways. Many criminals end up in jail and the prison system directly as a result of their substance abuse issues. Getting money for your next high is often a complex scheme that may involve theft, fraud, robbery, and other criminal activities. Consequently, many addicts get caught by law enforcement and end up being served a sentence by the justice system.
In some prison systems and jails, there is now substance abuse treatment offered to assist with the growing influx of addicts in our jail cells. Some of this is court-mandated, while many of the patients in these locked-down facilities are volunteers that truly want to recover. We believe that giving everyone an opportunity to receive treatment, regardless of their current circumstances, is a step in the right direction.
What is Incarceration?
It is true that most people are being held in jail before trial. Our country’s systems of confinement are fragmented. According to the prison policy statistical reports of 2019, there are 1,306,000 Americans in state prisons of which 198,000 of those prisoners are there on drug charges. In local jails, there are 612,000 Americans of which 118,000 of them are there on drug charges. In Federal prisons and jails, there are 221,000 Americans of which 97,000 are there on drug charged convictions.
The American criminal justice system holds almost 2.3 million people in 1,719 state prisons, 109 federal prisons, 1,772 juvenile correctional facilities, 3,163 local jails, and 80 Indian Country jails as well as in military prisons, immigration detention facilities, civil commitment centers, state psychiatric hospitals, and prisons in the U.S. territories. (Prison Policy Initiative)
These recent statics reflect how America is at war with drugs. The United States incarcerates more people per capita than any other developed nation.
Is There a Correlation Between Addiction and Incarceration?
Addiction is a disease, not a crime. While having an addiction won’t land you in prison, a lot of the consequences of drug use and abuse can. So, although people with addiction aren’t incarcerated simply for having this disease, there’s a high percentage of inmates who struggle with addiction and need treatment. Addiction in prisons is an untreated problem, and it’s a growing one. More people in the general population struggle with addiction and more of these individuals find themselves involved in crimes that lead to arrest.
Incarcerating addicted offenders is that incarceration does not prevent addicts from further abuse of alcohol and drugs. Use related crime occurs when the intoxicated person does not realize they are committing the as they are doing it. Economic related crimes are committed to finding a person’s drug of choice. System-related crimes are committed when an individual begins production, transportation, or selling the drugs.
How Can Recreate Life Counseling Help You?
At Recreate Life Counseling treatments are designed with respect for our clients’ core values. We understand that believing in our clients and helping them as they embark on the journey of recreating themselves and their lives is pivotal. Here in Boynton Beach, Florida, we will create an individualized treatment program that meets the needs of each client so that the vision they have for their lives can become a reality. We are constantly updating our theories and methods to avoid ineffective methods from the past. Our outpatient rehab will accommodate the daily responsibilities of our clients without interfering with their work, school and family obligations.
Our clients will be able to discuss rehab options that best fit their needs. We walk them through the entire recovery process. We don’t just treat the addiction because we assess the person a whole. We encourage that you talk to one of our team experts in substance abuse to answer all your questions about getting help for yourself or an addicted loved one.