Drug Use in Prison: the experience of young offenders

Cope, Nina

doi:10.1080/dep.7.4.355.366

Cited by 36 publications

(45 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Rather, based on the analysis of the data, four motivational factors were identified: (a) Drug use as a way to alleviate some of the ''pains of imprisonment'' (Sykes, 1958). Prisoners particularly claimed that using drugs helped them to reduce their anxiety, made them sleep better and mitigated feelings of boredom (see also Bullock, 2003;Cope, 2000;Crewe, 2009); (b) Drug use as a part of social life in prison. The analysis highlights the social character of drug taking in this prison.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Hence, it becomes imperative to understand the motives and meanings associated with the use of drugs in prisons. Issues of drug dependency, addiction and the troubled life history of many prisoners appear to be relevant explanations for prisoners continued use of drugs while incarcerated (Cope, 2000;Crewe, 2009;Keene, 1997). However, research has shown that many drug users stop, substantially reduce, and/or alter their drug taking when imprisoned, illustrating that other explanations are needed as well (Boys et al, 2002;Plugge et al, 2009;Stöver et al, 2008).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A common denominator in the literature on meanings and motives associated with drug use in prison is the emphasis upon how drug use is shaped by the institutional and emotional context of imprisonment (Bullock, 2003;Cope, 2000;Crewe, 2005Crewe, , 2009Keene, 1997;Tompkins, Wright, Waterman, & Sheard, 2009;Wilson et al, 2007). Crewe, in his comprehensive ethnographic study in an English prison, argues that cannabis and heroin were the most commonly used prion drugs because:…”

Section: Meanings and Motives Associated With Drug Use In Prisonsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…''Enjoyment'' was a common reason for cannabis use, whereas ''to block out current situation'' was a commonly reported reason for heroin use (Bullock, 2003). Cope (2000), reporting from a study of drug use among young offenders, highlight how the study participants deliberately used cannabis to seek ''the right high'' in order to pass their time. Taken together, the research reviewed here suggests, first, that prisoners use drugs such as cannabis, heroin and tranquilisers because they offer drug effects that are compatible with the prison environment and experience, and second, that drug use is a ''coping strategy'' (Cohen & Taylor, 1972), intended to ''alleviate the everyday pains of imprisonment'' (Crewe, 2005, p. 477).…”

Section: Meanings and Motives Associated With Drug Use In Prisonsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Exploring prison drug use in the context of prison-based drug rehabilitation

Mjåland

2016

Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy

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Aims: The research on motivations and meanings associated with drug use in prisons has received little scholarly attention. Particularly, there are few studies analysing drug use in prisons from the perspective of both prisoners and prison officers, and in the context of prisonbased drug rehabilitation. This article explores prisoners and prison staffs perceptions on why drug use occurs in prison. Methods: The data is derived from participant observation and qualitative interviews (N ¼ 35) conducted during eight months of ethnographic fieldwork in two drug rehabilitation programmes in a closed Norwegian prison. Findings: Prison staff emphasises drug addiction and prisoners troubled life trajectories when explaining in-prison drug use. Prisoners, on the other hand, explain that drug use can be (a) a way to alleviate some of the pains of imprisonment; (b) an integral part of social life in prison; (c) a route to status in the prisoner community and (d) a defiant way to subvert institutional rules and expectations. Conclusions: Prison staff tends to privilege pre-prison characteristics when explaining prisoners' drug use, whereas prisoners tend to privilege how the prison context motivates and give meaning to their drug use. Implications for penal policy and practice are discussed.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Meanings and Motives Associated With Drug Use In Prisonsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Meanings and Motives Associated With Drug Use In Prisonsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Exploring prison drug use in the context of prison-based drug rehabilitation

Mjåland

2016

Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy

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“…opiates, amphetamines, will often determine the route of ingestion, such as injecting or smoking. The type of drug used prior to imprisonment also impacts on drug user behaviour in the prison and studies have shown that prisoners are more likely to continue to use heroin while in prison, compared to either cocaine or amphetamines (Keene, 1997;Cope, 2000;Strang et al, 2006). Injecting drug use seems to be rare within prisons, and this is often attributed to the lack of needles available (Long et al, 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Problems, needs and service provision related to stimulant use in European prisons

Decorte

2007

International Journal of Prisoner Health

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Objective. The objective of this study was to examine practices and policies in place for the provision of targeted prevention and treatment of cocaine and Amphetamine Type Stimulant (ATS) users in prison in nine European countries. Methodology. Across nine European member states (Belgium, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Slovenia, Sweden, Malta, Ireland and Portugal), interviews were conducted with ministerial representatives and professionals (i.e. service providers and security officials) working in prisons and a total of 16 focus groups with a total of 125 prisoners. Results. The use of stimulants in prison is associated with aggression and violence, financial problems, and psychological and physical problems in prisoners (depression, anxiety and psychological craving). Both security and healthcare staff in prison often feel ill‐equipped to deal with stimulant‐related problems, leading to a lack of equivalence of care for stimulant users in prison, therefore the variety and quality of drug services outside is not reflected sufficiently inside prison. There is a need for more specific product information and harm reduction material on stimulants, for clear guidelines for the management of acute stimulant intoxication and stimulant withdrawal, for structural adjustments to improve potential diagnosis of personality and psychiatric disorders, for more non‐pharmacological treatment strategies and more opportunities for prisoners to engage in purposeful activities.

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A global review of prison drug smuggling routes and trends in the usage of drugs in prisons

Norman

2022

WIREs Forensic Science

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Drug Use in Prison: the experience of young offenders

Cited by 36 publications

References 22 publications

Exploring prison drug use in the context of prison-based drug rehabilitation

Exploring prison drug use in the context of prison-based drug rehabilitation

Problems, needs and service provision related to stimulant use in European prisons

A global review of prison drug smuggling routes and trends in the usage of drugs in prisons

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