|
Area: |
Demand
Reduction |
|
Project
Name: |
Substance
Abuse Treatment for Offenders in the Caribbean |
|
Start
date /Duration: |
2004
/ Ongoing |
|
Location: |
Selected OAS member states in the
English-speaking Caribbean |
|
Beneficiaries: |
Personnel
in the criminal justice system; incarcerated offenders with drug
use problems or serving drug-related crimes; the families and
communities receiving ex-offenders upon their release |
|
Participating
Institutions: |
CICAD/OAS,
Correctional Service of Canada, Caribbean prison systems and
agencies |
|
Budget: |
|
|
Donors: |
Foreign Affairs Canada (FAC)
Jamaica and Barbados (in-kind human contribution
of human resources)
U.S. International Narcotics
Law Enforcement Agency (INL) |
|
Project
Description: |
This
project was developed recognizing that drug abuse rates are
often several times higher among incarcerated populations than
the general public, making them an important target population
for national treatment goals. Substance abuse among inmates is
associated with disorder within the correctional facility and,
left untreated, can contribute to crime, violence and
unemployment in communities who receive offenders after their
release from prison. Well-administered inmate substance abuse
services can help individuals achieve a more successful and
crime-free transition to the community, and supports the
rehabilitative mission of correctional departments.
The first phase of this project
(2004-2005) consisted of a
regional workshop to expose Caribbean member states to
effective modes of substance abuse treatment for incarcerated
offenders, with support from the Correctional Service of Canada.
Participating member states each developed a matrix assessing
their existing resources and a priority area for advancing their
work with offenders. Following the workshop, countries sent
progress reports on steps taken to improve educational and
therapeutic services for substance abuse problems in their
correctional facilities.
The second phase of
this project (2005-2006) consists of seed support
(financial and/or technical) to selected Caribbean states who
have taken active steps to improve their response to inmates
with substance abuse problems. Learn more about these national
projects and available
information and human resources. CICAD is also developing a
Caribbean resource book on the topic which will be released in
2006. |
|
Objectives: |
To
support Caribbean corrections agencies, drug councils and
treatment providers in
the development of improved substance abuse treatment,
education, and prevention services for incarcerated offenders
both while in prison and upon release |
|
Links: |
Nov. 2004 regional workshop in St. Lucia: Effective
Substance Abuse Programming for Offenders
National activities 2005-2006
Treatment in the Criminal Justice System:
Caribbean and International Resources |
