Cannabis use in a Swiss male prison: qualitative study exploring detainees' and staffs' perspectives.

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_3073E0B61B2C
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Cannabis use in a Swiss male prison: qualitative study exploring detainees' and staffs' perspectives.
Journal
International Journal on Drug Policy
Author(s)
Ritter C., Broers B., Elger B.S.
ISSN
1873-4758 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
0955-3959
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2013
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
24
Number
6
Pages
573-578
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Journal Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Publication Status: ppublish
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Several studies suggest a high prevalence of cannabis use before and during imprisonment, but subjective perspectives of detainees and staff towards its use in prison are lacking. This issue was explored in the framework of an observational study addressing tobacco use in three Swiss prisons in 2009 and 2010 that involved multiple strands (quantitative and qualitative components). This article presents qualitative data on cannabis use collected in one of the settings.
METHODS: We used in-depth semi-structured interviews with both detainees and staff to explore their attitudes towards cannabis in one post-trial male Swiss prison. We performed specific coding and thematic analysis for cannabis with the support of ATLAS.ti, compared detainees' and staff's opinions, and considered the results with regard to drug policy in prison in general.
RESULTS: 58 participants (31 male offenders, mean age 35 years, and 27 prison staff, mean age 46 years, 33% female) were interviewed. Detainees estimated the current use of cannabis use to be as high as 80%, and staff 50%. Participants showed similar opinions on effects of cannabis use that were described both at individual and institutional levels: analgesic, calming, self-help to go through the prison experience, relieve stress, facilitate sleep, prevent violence, and social pacifier. They also mentioned negative consequences of cannabis use (sleepiness, decreased perception of danger and social isolation), and dissatisfaction regarding the ongoing ambiguous situation where cannabis is forbidden but detection in the urine was not sanctioned. However, the introduction of a more restrictive regulation induced fear of violence, increased trafficking and a shift to other drug use.
CONCLUSION: Although illegal, cannabis use is clearly involved in daily life in prison. A clearer and comprehensive policy addressing cannabis is needed, including appropriate measures tailored to individual users. To sustain a calm and safe environment in prison, means other than substance or medication use are required.
Keywords
Adult, Drug Trafficking/prevention & control, Drug and Narcotic Control, Female, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Humans, Interviews as Topic, Male, Marijuana Abuse/epidemiology, Marijuana Abuse/psychology, Marijuana Smoking/epidemiology, Marijuana Smoking/legislation & jurisprudence, Middle Aged, Perception, Prisoners/legislation & jurisprudence, Prisoners/psychology, Prisons/legislation & jurisprudence, Prisons/manpower, Social Behavior, Social Control, Informal, hic" UI="D013557">Switzerland/epidemiology, Violence/prevention & control
Pubmed
Web of science
Create date
09/02/2015 10:48
Last modification date
20/08/2019 13:15
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