The Elusive Goal of Drug-Free Prisons

Abstract

ABSTRACTBackground: Although there is a need for well-designed evaluations, international evidence shows that drugs frequently enter prisons and enforcement efforts are said to be linked to adverse events. Objectives: This study sought to examine drug enforcement within a federal prison system, overseen by the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC), and to detail competing perspectives. Methods: Three main sources of data were used in this qualitative study: 16 interviews conducted between 2010 and 2012 with former CSC senior officials, former frontline staff, and external stakeholders; CSC research publications and other documents; and transcripts from a relevant House of Commons Standing Committee public study. All texts were coded and compared to examine emergent themes of interest. Results: Six key themes are described as contested effects of enhanced in-prison drug enforcement: (1) continued and creative efforts to bring in drugs; (2) climate of tensions and violence; (3) prisoners switching their drug use; (4) health-related harms; (5) deterrence of visitors; and (6) staff involvement in the in-prison drug trade. Conclusions/Importance: Urgently needed are rigorous evaluations of in-prison drug enforcement, along with closer scrutiny of policy recommendations that uphold the goal of drug-free prisons. Studying similar prison systems as complex risk-managing organizations may offer new information about drug enforcement policy and practice resistance despite detrimental effects.