Proposal for a Treatment Plan at a Correctional Facility - Term Paper Example

Though treatment programs are offered there is substantial differences in the types of treatments available and the duration of these treatment plans (Peters, LeVasseur, & Chandler, 2004). Inmates in the criminal justice population have significantly higher rates of substance abuse and addiction disorders. It is frequent that these addictions or disorders are not detected and untreated while the inmate in incarcerated. Procedures used to screen individual’s may in part be related to this statistic which are secondary to the lack of funding, the lack of integrated mental health and addictions services and there are few resources for the inmate once released as well as follow up care and continuing treatment.

Various Substance Addictions According to a National survey published in Behavioral Sciences and the Law the most common occurring addiction is alcohol; both dependence and abuse. Following this is poly substance abuse which indicates there is a tendency to abuse whatever substance is available. Cocaine, cannabis and opioid abuse were close behind with the least abused of substances being inhalants, small percentages of PCP abuse and hallucinogenic were also reported. While this survey was conducted in 2004 more current statistics present a different overall picture of dependency and addiction.

It was reported in 2010 by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University that 65% of those incarcerated met guidelines for addiction while only 11% receive any treatment. Alcohol is a factor in the incarceration of more than half of the inmates population and illicit drugs are implicated in 75% of those incarcerated. Methamphetamine is fast gaining as the most common and prevalent addiction in many parts of the country though it’s use at the time seems to be focused more prominently in certain areas with very high addictions rates and high rates of returning to this addiction after incarceration (Duran and Beg, 2010).

The three most common substances which are targeted for treatment programs aside from alcohol are cocaine and crack, methamphetamine’s, and opioid’s or prescription drugs which have grown exponentially in the preceding 10 years in rates of abuse. Individual treatment plans offered for inmates include counseling, an environment with similar peers, and curriculums that focus on life training skills, cognitive behavior therapy, empowerment, and vocational training, with counseling being the primary individual treatment for inmates incarcerated.

Using a trans theoretical model will have an impact on when the individual is prepared for group therapy (Schnackenberg, 2001). Counselor based models of individual treatment involve stages first defining the individuals comfort zone and their main importance is noted in the re-evaluating of self and risking action and practicing. Group treatments plans include the use of group therapy, often including 12 step programs. These treatment plans can be more effective once the individual has decided to share and participate willingly and with excitement in their own recovery.

Often group treatment plans include housing in special dormitories and receiving and providing support to struggling peers. In my recommendation I would first suggest individual counseling until the individual has progressed enough to feel comfortable sharing their experiences and this sharing no longer creates a desire to return to prior activity. Twelve step programs are an excellent addition to any treatment plan as they do not require that you speak or share and you are able to define your