Interviewing male and female jail inmates sentenced for drug offenses: findings and implications

Abstract

Following a questionnaire consisting of 34 open‐ended items, interviews were conducted with 100 female and 160 male sentenced inmates in two medium size jail facilities in Southern California. All of the inmates have or have had an ongoing substance abuse problem. Most were sentenced for various offenses ranging from drug crimes, theft, and parole violations. Survey items focused on employment, education, sobriety, family, legal, and housing options upon release. The voluntary interviews were conducted over a six‐month period, with the length of incarceration of each between one and six months. The interviews revealed differences between males and females suggesting a need for different treatment approaches.

Keywords:

• drug offenders
• recidivism
• treatment
• gender gap
• jails

Acknowledgements

We wish to thank the Ventura County Sheriff's Department, and especially Michael Akseven and Susan Llewellyn, MFT for their cooperation and support in conducting the survey.