Treatment in Jails and Prisons

Treatment programs are currently a part of normal operations in most Western prisons and jails. Societies have realized that there are compelling problems that lead people to become criminals, and the best way to minimize the probability of future offenses is through structured treatment programs that address the causes of the crime, rather than the crime itself. For many offenders, problems with drugs or alcohol led directly or indirectly to the criminal behavior, and treating the drug or alcohol problem may significantly reduce the chances of future crime. Although there are many other causes, ranging from educational to psychological to emotional, which result in crime, the most common treatment programs in prison and jail facilities deal with substance abuse as a precursor to criminality.

Before ...