Short writing - Women inmates and Prescription Drugs- Short writting In many res

Question

Short writing - Women inmates and Prescription Drugs- Short writting

In many respects, female prisoners, like their male counterparts, can be seen as disadvantaged losers in a complex and competitive prison society. The two groups differ, however, with regard to types of offenses and length of sentences, patterns of drug use, and criminal history. At the local county jail depicted in this video, 95% of the female inmate population is incarcerated because of illegal prescription drug use, and most are repeat offenders. As the prison warden notes, this jail is about incarceration, not rehabilitation.

Housing quarters for women are typically small, with a series of bunk beds and shared bathroom facilities similar to college campuses. But although a higher percentage of women than men report receiving medical services in prison, and sometimes for prison pregnancies, women's institutions are less likely than men's to have a full-time medical staff or hospital facilities. Considering what you have learned about prison life in Chapter 14, please answer the following:

How should prisons deal with the ever-increasing problem of female inmates who are addicted to prescription drugs? Explain.

(250 word minimum response required)

Explanation / Answer

Introduction: Addiction refers to abnormally strong craving for reinforcing stimuli in the form of alcohol, drug, etc. Drug addiction is over-dependence on the drugs/medicine for having feel of reward or euphoria. This addiction is habit-forming in nature and it influences individual's behavior towards society or community.

Over dependence on prescription medications like pain killers, morphine, corticosteroids will result in neurological issues and may damage the parts of brain also. This will result in cognitive and behavioral disturbances and unhealthy practices in the community. Pharmacologic drug administration is regulated by government body to curb illicit drug abuse and dependence. If the drug purchased other than authorized route, then it is termed as illicit drug abuse, and individual end up in being incarcerated. This increase in female inmates due to drug abuse result in filling more inmates in prison facility designed to house. If a facility designed to house 10 inmates is filled with 20 inmates, there will issue with health and hygiene maintenance as well as more burden on caretakers.

To reduce the burden on prison staff and facility due to increasing number of drug addicted female inmates, we can consider below mentioned points:

1. The prison is actually meant for incarceration and it does not act as rehabilitation center for drug addicts. If drug addict inmates are transferred to rehabilitation facility and limit the prison for only other inmates with other legal charges, then more space will be available at facility.

2. If female inmates who are transferred to drug rehabilitation facility provided drug rehabilitation measures inhibiting them from further drug abuse, then the number of repetitive incarceration due to illicit drug use can be reduced. Example: If the female inmates provided group and milieu therapy along with cognitive and behavioral therapy for coping with drug dependence, female inmates may remain sober and there will be no more drug abuse charges.

3. Strict regulation on over-the-counter drug usage is needed. Also drug refills to be monitored strictly with new technology, so that physician come to know prescription history while refilling drugs.

4. If patient medical history is taken into consideration while treating for new issues also, then physician can track drug-seeking behavior of the patient and transfer the care immediately to psychotherapy or psychiatry. This will reduce risk of further damage to self and society as well as legal charges on an individual with drug-seeking behavior.

5. The root cause for drug addiction should be researched by studying individual's personal history and family history. There may be some influence of family members or acquaintances on drug abuse behavior. If this issue addressed effectively, then number of inmates due to drug addiction charges will decrease. Example: An individual may be influenced by family member or peer to take some illicit drugs like heroin, cocaine, etc. If cause is found and addressed, the individual will end this drug seeking behavior and be sober.

Conclusion: If an individual provided with effective rehabilitation therapy, then drug addiction may decrease resulting in decreased female inmates in prison due to charges of illicit drug addiction. This preventative measure will also reduce the risk of social damage creased by drug addicts and even reduce other legal charges.

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