https://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/lancet/PIIS0140-6736(11)60858-1.pdf

The health of prisoners

This review provides a critical analysis of the central nervous system effects of acute and chronic methamphetamine (MA) use, which is linked to numerous adverse psychosocial, neuropsychiatric, and medical problems. A meta-analysis of the neuropsychological effects of MA abuse/dependence revealed broadly medium effect sizes, showing deficits in episodic memory, executive functions, information processing speed, motor skills, language, and visuoconstructional abilities. The neuropsychological deficits associated with MA abuse/dependence are interpreted with regard to their possible neural mechanisms, most notably MA-associated frontostriatal neurotoxicity. In addition, potential explanatory factors are considered, including demographics (e.g., gender), MA use characteristics (e.g., duration of abstinence), and the influence of common psychiatric (e.g., other substance-related disorders) and neuromedical (e.g., HIV infection) comorbidities. Finally, these findings are discussed with respect to their potential contribution to the clinical management of persons with MA abuse/dependence.

Neurocognitive Effects of Methamphetamine: A Critical Review and Meta-analysis

Issues. The major physical and psychological health effects of methamphetamine use, and the factors associated with such harms. Approach. Comprehensive review. Key Findings. Physical harms reviewed...

Major physical and psychological harms of methamphetamine use

A conceptual framework for drug treatment process and outcomes.

Understanding and Preventing Violence

This study uses data from 641 state prison parolees in California to examine the associations between methamphetamine use and three measures of criminal behavior: (a) self-reported violent criminal behavior, (b) return to prison for a violent offense, and (c) return to prison for any reason during the first 12 months of parole. Methamphetamine use was significantly predictive of self-reported violent criminal behavior and general recidivism (i.e., a return to custody for any reason). However, methamphetamine use was not significantly predictive of being returned to custody for a violent offense. These trends remained even after controlling for involvement in the drug trade (i.e., sales, distribution, or manufacturing).

Methamphetamine Use, Self-Reported Violent Crime, and Recidivism Among Offenders in California Who Abuse Substances

During the past several years, a number of aggressive federal and state initiatives have been undertaken to expand substance abuse treatment within correctional settings. These efforts have been fueled by the high rates of substance involvement among offenders and the growing body of research literature suggesting that intensive, prison-based treatment efforts can significantly reduce postprison substance use and recidivism. However, the rapid expansion of these programs increases their vulnerability to common implementation problems that could lead to pessimistic, and erroneous, assumptions about their effectiveness. This article summarizes both the research literature and the experiences of the authors regarding six common barriers to developing effective correctional treatment programs and offers potential solutions for each.

Barriers to Implementing Effective Correctional Drug Treatment Programs

Recent epidemiological surveys of illicit substance use show a particularly high prevalence of methamphetamine use in the western and southwestern United States-most notably California. Moreover, in their analysis of 1995 Drug Use Forecasting data, Anglin and colleagues (1998) found that methamphetamine was a preferred substance among California arrestees. The present study uses data from 807 state prison inmates in California (32% of whom reported using methamphetamine prior to incarceration) to examine the associations between methamphetamine use and HIV risk behaviors. Methamphetamine users in this sample were significantly more likely than nonusers to have injected drugs during the six months prior to their current incarceration. Among injectors, however, injection-related risks (such as dirty needles and needle sharing, etc.) were not significantly associated with methamphetamine use. However, past six-month sex-related risks were dramatically higher for methamphetamine users. These patterns persisted even after controlling for background differences between the two groups. The results of this study underscore the importance of addressing the higher sex-related HIV/AIDS risk among methamphetamine users undergoing prison-based drug treatment.

Methamphetamine use and HIV risk among substance-abusing offenders in California.

Organizational Characteristics of Drug Abuse Treatment Programs for Offenders

Given the high proportion of criminal justice treatment clients in the United States, a major policy and program issue in drug treatment is the appropriateness and effectiveness of coercing offende...

Jerome Cartier

Papers

Methamphetamine Use, Self-Reported Violent Crime, and Recidivism Among Offenders in California Who Abuse Substances

Barriers to Implementing Effective Correctional Drug Treatment Programs

Methamphetamine use and HIV risk among substance-abusing offenders in California.

Organizational Characteristics of Drug Abuse Treatment Programs for Offenders

Involuntary Treatment Within a Prison Setting Impact on Psychosocial Change During Treatment