Predictors of Drug Use in Prison among Incarcerated Black Men

Abstract

Background: Black men currently comprise a substantial percentage of prisoners in the United States. Drug dependence is common among prison populations, and US prisons are high-risk environments for drug use. Prison drug use exacerbates health problems disproportionately prevalent among Black men and prisoners. Objectives: The goal of this research was to examine predictors of prison drug use among incarcerated Black men. Methods: This study examined drug use within the prison environment in a random sample of 134 Black men incarcerated in maximum-security correctional institution. The Addiction Severity Index (ASI) was used to measure illicit drug use history and the extent to which drug use occurred within the prison environment. Results: Seventy-five percent of the participants reported a history of illicit drug use. Overall, 20% (n 25) of the participants, or 25% of those with a history of drug use, reported using drugs during a time frame consistent with incarceration. Participants with lengthier histories of drug use (OR: 1.1, 95% CI 1.0–1.2) and those who were incarcerated longer (OR: 1.1, 95% CI 1.0–1.2) were more likely to use drugs in prison. Drug use in prison was associated with history of injection drug use and with probation/parole status when arrested. Conclusions: Prisoners are engaging in illicit drug use while incarcerated, suggesting that they could benefit from harm reduction and drug treatment services offered during incarceration. Scientific significance: Drug treatment programs that address long-standing addictions and coping mechanisms for lengthy prison stays, specifically, would be especially useful for this population.

• substance use
• prisoners
• Black men

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

This study was supported by grant number R36DA024213 from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (PI: Rowell). Dr. Rowell is supported by a training grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (T32MH19139; Behavioral Sciences Research in HIV Infection; PI: Theodorus Sandfort, Ph.D.).

Declaration of Interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article. The article does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIDA, the NIMH, or the NIH.