Essay About Prison Systems And Correctional Facility

Drugs in Prison
Essay Preview: Drugs in Prison
Report this essay
Abstract
This research paper will consist of an analysis of the use and abuse of
illicit drugs within the prison systems on a global basis. With information
gathered from various sources such as the internet and one on one interviews
with an inmate in a male correctional facility and a former inmate of a
female correctional facility I intend to show the rampant flow of drugs in
and out of the prison system, the control of (or lack there of) by prison
officials, the drug gangs and dealers in correctional facilities, the rate
of addiction, and treatments available to inmates suffering from addiction.
The introduction of drugs into the prison system has been an issue for
corrections staff for many years. Prison officials suspect inmate visitors
are the main source of how drugs coming into prisons. Although inmates and
visitors are subjected to a meticulous search prior to contact with one
another, the introduction of drugs is happening on a regular basis. Drugs
can become a major source of income, not only for the inmate, but also for
the individual or individuals who take the drugs into a correctional
facility. Another avenue for inmates is using a correctional officer. Most
of the drugs that are available within a prison arrive by courier through a
corrections officer. Unlike an inmate visitor, a corrections officer is not
subjected to a meticulous search of their person and property. Stephen Shaw
of the Prison Reform Trust was quoted as saying, ” Prison officers were said
to turn a blind eye to its use and even to deal it in themselves, to make
their job easier.”1
Several states within the United States allow for inmates to have possession
of personal clothing. An inmate receiving personal clothing from home may
also receive drugs that have been hidden within the clothing by a family
member or friend. In addition, drugs have been
known to be sent via the mail to an inmate concealed in packages of all
natures. In the past, the distribution of heroin to an inmate was easily
concealed on a postage stamp or on the glue part of an envelope. The use of
drugs are an issue many people around the world must deal with while
incarcerated or in the “free world.”
Throughout the history of prison reformatories inmates have constructed a
mailing system within the prison to communicate with one another. Most of
the communication between one inmate to another is conducted verbally. This
helps to avoid having any physical evidence of wrong doing available to
corrections staff. The introduction, transportation, and sale of drugs
within a prison can result in another felony charge for an inmate. Many
inmates use commissary items such as coffee, sugar, and other items to
conceal the requested drugs. For example, by handing another inmate a cup
of coffee a correctional officer does not know if there are drugs within the
cup unless the officer physically handles the cup. Drugs can also be passed
from one inmate to another by physically putting into the inmates handle as
discreetly as possible.
There are several questions that have been asked over the years regarding
inmates and the use of drugs, such as how is it easier for an inmate whom is
under constant supervision by correctional staff to have easy access to
drugs, why do inmates feel the need to escape from the reality of prison
life and why are existing drug addicts not receiving treatment for their
drug abuse? Several studies have been conducted worldwide delving into why
inmates are using drugs while incarcerated. The authors of an article in
the British Medical Journal (BMI) researched this very issue. They did a
study on 548 men at Durham prison in Elvet, England. All of these men were
awaiting trial. The study found that prior to sentencing many inmates were
using drugs. Specifically “57 percent were using illicit drugs, 33
percent had problems of drug dependence, and 32 percent had drink[ing]
problems.”2
Similar to the “free world” society, prisons also contain a society behind
the walls. Even though the men and women behind the walls are segregated
from the outside world, the same trials and tribulations you or I must deal
with each day are also dealt with by inmates. When looking at the reason
why inmates feel the need to escape from reality, the same reasoning factors
apply to those whom are not incarcerated choosing to abuse drugs. Low
self-esteem, the inability to cope with the crime or crimes committed that
caused