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Table DUP-3. Prevalence of drug use within prison among prisoners, 2000–11
Part (ii) Methodological Notes
| Country | Year | Source/ reference (1) | Definition and methodological comments (2) | Drug used (and if any: restriction on base population) | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belgium | 2010 | 1 | Persons reporting lifetime drug use during the current imprisonment Comment: cross-sectional national survey in all the 32 Belgian prisons in a representative sample of 10% of prisoners in each prison, including remanded, sentenced and mentally disordered prisoners, both males and females (n= 1251) | any illicit drug | 33 | |
| cannabis | 31 | |||||
| cocaine | 9 | |||||
| heroin | 13 | |||||
| amphetamines | 8 | |||||
| 2010 | 1 | Persons reporting last year drug use during the current imprisonment Comment: cross-sectional national survey in all the 32 Belgian prisons in a representative sample of 10% of prisoners in each prison, including remanded, sentenced and mentally disordered prisoners, both males and females (n= 1251) | any illicit drug | 15 | ||
| 2010 | 1 | Persons reporting last month drug use during the current imprisonment Comment: cross-sectional national survey in all the 32 Belgian prisons in a representative sample of 10% of prisoners in each prison, including remanded, sentenced and mentally disordered prisoners, both males and females (n= 1251) | any illicit drug | 12 | ||
| 2010 | 1 | Persons reporting regular drug use (from multiple times a month to once and multiple times a week and daily use) during the current imprisonment Comment: cross-sectional national survey in all the 32 Belgian prisons in a representative sample of 10% of prisoners in each prison, including remanded, sentenced and mentally disordered prisoners, both males and females (n= 1251) | any illicit drug | 12 | ||
| 2008 | 2 | Persons reporting lifetime drug use in prison Comment: cross-sectional national survey in all the 32 Belgian prisons in a representative sample of 10% of prisoners in each prison, including remanded, sentenced and mentally disordered prisoners, both males and females (n= 1078) | any illicit drug | 35 | ||
| cannabis | 32 | |||||
| cocaine | 9 | |||||
| heroin | 12 | |||||
| amphetamines | 5 | |||||
| ecstasy | 4 | |||||
| 2006 | 3 | Persons reporting having used illicit drugs (or an unprescribed psychotropic drug) during the current detention. Comment: national survey in all the 32 Belgian prisons in a representative sample of 10% of adult prisoners, including remanded, sentenced and mentally disordered prisoners, both males and females (n= 902). | any illicit drug | 29 | ||
| cannabis | 27 | |||||
| cocaine, crack | 9 | |||||
| heroin | 12 | |||||
| amphetamines | 7 | |||||
| ecstasy | 5 | |||||
| LSD, magic mushrooms | 1 | |||||
| 2003 | 4 | Persons reporting having used illicit drugs during the last incarceration. Comment: survey in a random sample of 10 prisons (over a total of 38) among on remand, convicted and social defence (psychiatric cases) prisoners (n= 886). | any illicit drug | 33 | ||
| Bulgaria | 2008 | 4 | Persons reporting at admission to the prison drug use within the last year in prison. Comment: national survey in 17 remand prisons among all convicted, defendant adults and detained persons in prison and remand arrest during the year (n= 9983). | Any illicit drug | 4 | |
| cannabis | 0.7 | |||||
| cocaine | 0.4 | |||||
| heroin | 1 | |||||
| amphetamines | 1 | |||||
| ecstasy | 0.05 | |||||
| 2008 | 4 | Persons reporting at admission to the prison drug use within the last month in prison. Comment: national survey in 17 remand prisons among all convicted, defendant adults and detained persons in prison and remand arrest during the year (n= 9983). | Any illicit drug | 0.6 | ||
| cannabis | 0 | |||||
| cocaine | 0 | |||||
| heroin | 0.05 | |||||
| amphetamines | 0 | |||||
| ecstasy | 0.05 | |||||
| 2006 | 6 | Persons registered (in the judicial and medical files) as lifetime drug users in prison (self-report). Comment: national survey in 17 prisons among prisoners (n= 2562) | any illicit drug | 1 | ||
| cannabis | 0.5 | |||||
| cocaine | 0 | |||||
| heroin | 0.6 | |||||
| amphetamines | 0 | |||||
| ecstasy | 0 | |||||
| 2006 | 6 | Persons registered (in the judicial and medical files) as last year drug users in prison (self-report). Comment: national survey in 17 prisons among prisoners (n= 2562) | any illicit drug | 1 | ||
| cannabis | 0.2 | |||||
| cocaine | 0 | |||||
| heroin | 0.4 | |||||
| amphetamines | 0.1 | |||||
| ecstasy | 0 | |||||
| 2006 | 6 | Persons registered (in the judicial and medical files) as last month drug users in prison (self-report). Comment: national survey in 17 prisons among prisoners (n= 2562) | any illicit drug | 0.1 | ||
| cannabis | 0.04 | |||||
| cocaine | 0 | |||||
| heroin | 0.04 | |||||
| amphetamines | 0 | |||||
| ecstasy | 0 | |||||
| Czech Republic | 2010 | 1 | Persons reporting lifetime drug use during any imprisonment "drug use in prison" Comment: First cross-sectional national survey in 35 out of 36 Czech prisons among a random sample of prison inmates (out of 19570 prisoners were randomly selected 2000 respondents of whom 1668 did really answer). Field has been conducted during 13 days in all Czech prisons. (N=1668) (Planned every two years) | any illicit drug | 22 | |
| cannabis | 15 | |||||
| cocaine | 2 | |||||
| heroin | 4 | |||||
| amphetamines | 13 | |||||
| ecstasy | 2 | |||||
| Greece | 2000 | 1 | Persons reporting lifetime drug use while in prison. Comment: survey in 1 prison amongst on remand and convicted prisoners (n= 136). | any illicit drug | 46 | |
| Italy | 2009 | 4 | Persons reporting regular drug use while in prison (DUs) (based on self-report and/or clinical assessment) Comment:nationwide routine data from drug-screening by prison authorities at prison admission among all prisoners (adult males and females) in prison at 30/06/2009 (n= 63630) | any illicit drug | 25 | |
| Latvia | 2010 | 1 | Persons reporting lifetime drug use in prison. Comment: Repeated cross-sectional national survey in 11 (out of 15) prisons, convicted persons (n= 1965) | any illicit drug | 32 | |
| cannabis | 24 | |||||
| cocaine | 3 | |||||
| heroin | 10 | |||||
| amphetamines | 19 | |||||
| ecstasy | 8 | |||||
| 2010 | 1 | Persons reporting drug use within the last year in prison. Comment: Repeated cross-sectional national survey in 11 (out of 15) prisons, convicted persons (n= 1965) | any illicit drug | 18 | ||
| cannabis | 12 | |||||
| cocaine | 1 | |||||
| heroin | 6 | |||||
| amphetamines | 10 | |||||
| ecstasy | 3 | |||||
| 2010 | 1 | Persons reporting drug use within the last month in prison. Comment: Repeated cross-sectional national survey in 11 (out of 15) prisons, convicted persons (n= 1965) | any illicit drug | 9 | ||
| cannabis | 6 | |||||
| cocaine | 0.6 | |||||
| heroin | 2 | |||||
| amphetamines | 3 | |||||
| ecstasy | 1 | |||||
| 2003 | 2 | Persons reporting lifetime drug use in prison. Comment: national survey in 11 (out of 15) prisons with at least 100 convicted persons (n= 2867). | cannabis | 28 | ||
| cocaine | 4 | |||||
| heroin | 12 | |||||
| amphetamines | 12 | |||||
| ecstasy | 7 | |||||
| 2003 | 2 | Persons reporting drug use within the last year in prison. Comment: national survey in 11 (out of 15) prisons with at least 100 convicted persons (n= 2867). | cannabis | 15 | ||
| cocaine | 2 | |||||
| heroin | 5 | |||||
| amphetamines | 8 | |||||
| ecstasy | 4 | |||||
| 2003 | 2 | Persons reporting drug use within the last month in prison. Comment: national survey in 11 (out of 15) prisons with at least 100 convicted persons (n= 2867). | cannabis | 6 | ||
| cocaine | 1 | |||||
| heroin | 2 | |||||
| amphetamines | 2 | |||||
| ecstasy | 1 | |||||
| Lithuania | 2011 | 1 | Persons reporting lifetime drug use in prison. Comment: Local survey in one penitentiary (Alytus) among a random sample of convicted men (n=329) | any illicit drug | 30 | |
| 2003 | 3 | Persons reporting drug use within the last year in prison. Comment: national survey in all 14 prisons among on remand and convicted prisoners at 31.12.2003 (n= 8063). | any illicit drug | 13 | ||
| cannabis | 0.1 | |||||
| heroin | 9.5 | |||||
| cocaine | 0.03 | |||||
| stimulants | 1 | |||||
| several drugs | 3 | |||||
| Luxembourg | 2005 | 1 | Persons reporting lifetime drug use in prison Comment: nationwide cross-sectional survey in 2 state prisons amongst the total population of prisoners (n= 246). | any illicit drug | 56 | |
| Hungary | 2008 | 2 | Persons reporting lifetime drug use in prison. Comment: national cross-sectional survey in 22 prisons amongst a proportional random sample of adult both males and females convicted prisoners of Hungarian citizenship (n= 503). | any illicit drug | 14 | |
| cannabis | 12 | |||||
| cocaine | 1 | |||||
| heroin | 0.5 | |||||
| amphetamines | 4 | |||||
| ecstasy | 5 | |||||
| 2008 | 2 | Persons reporting drug use within the last year in prison. Comment: national cross-sectional survey in 22 prisons amongst a proportional random sample of adult both males and females convicted prisoners of Hungarian citizenship (n= 503). | any illicit drug | 8 | ||
| cannabis | 6 | |||||
| cocaine | 1 | |||||
| heroin | 0.4 | |||||
| amphetamines | 2 | |||||
| ecstasy | 2 | |||||
| 2008 | 2 | Persons reporting drug use within the last month in prison. Comment: national cross-sectional survey in 22 prisons amongst a proportional random sample of adult both males and females convicted prisoners of Hungarian citizenship (n= 503). | any illicit drug | 3 | ||
| cannabis | 3 | |||||
| cocaine | 0.2 | |||||
| heroin | 0.2 | |||||
| amphetamines | 1 | |||||
| ecstasy | 0.4 | |||||
| 2004 | 3 | Persons reporting lifetime drug use in prison. Comment: national survey in 11 prisons amongst a proportional random sample of adult male convicted prisoners of Hungarian citizenship (n= 609). | any illicit drug (adult males) | 8 | ||
| cannabis (adult males) | 6 | |||||
| cocaine (adult males) | 1 | |||||
| heroin (adult males) | 1 | |||||
| amphetamines (adult males) | 1 | |||||
| ecstasy (adult males) | 3 | |||||
| 2004 | 3 | Persons reporting drug use within the last year in prison. Comment: national survey in 11 prisons amongst a proportional random sample of adult male convicted prisoners of Hungarian citizenship (n= 609). | any illicit drug (adult males) | 5 | ||
| cannabis (adult males) | 3 | |||||
| cocaine (adult males) | 0.4 | |||||
| heroin (adult males) | 0.2 | |||||
| amphetamines (adult males) | 0.4 | |||||
| ecstasy (adult males) | 1 | |||||
| 2004 | 3 | Persons reporting drug use within the last month in prison. Comment: national survey in 11 prisons amongst a proportional random sample of adult male convicted prisoners of Hungarian citizenship (n= 609). | any illicit drug (adult males) | 3 | ||
| cannabis (adult males) | 1 | |||||
| cocaine (adult males) | 0.2 | |||||
| heroin (adult males) | 0 | |||||
| amphetamines (adult males) | 0 | |||||
| ecstasy (adult males) | 0.3 | |||||
| Poland | 2007 | 1 | Adult men reporting lifetime drug use within prison. Comment: nationwide survey (41 prisons) in a random sample of on remand and convicted prisoners (n= 1240) | any illicit drug (adult males) | 20 | |
| cannabis (adult males) | 18 | |||||
| cocaine (adult males) | 3 | |||||
| heroin (adult males) | 2 | |||||
| amphetamines (adult males) | 15 | |||||
| ecstasy (adult males) | 7 | |||||
| 2001 | 2 | Adult men reporting lifetime drug use within prison. Comment: nationwide survey (38 prisons) in a random sample of on remand and convicted prisoners (n= 1189). | any illicit drug (adult males) | 23 | ||
| cannabis (adult males) | 21 | |||||
| cocaine (adult males) | 5 | |||||
| heroin (adult males) | 3 | |||||
| amphetamines (adult males) | 15 | |||||
| ecstasy (adult males) | 5 | |||||
| Portugal | 2007 | 1 | Persons reporting lifetime drug use within prison. Comment: nationwide survey (44 prisons) in a random sample of on remand and convicted prisoners (n= 1986) | any illicit drug | 36 | |
| cannabis | 30 | |||||
| cocaine | 10 | |||||
| heroin | 14 | |||||
| amphetamines | 2 | |||||
| ecstasy | 3 | |||||
| 2007 | 1 | Persons reporting drug use within the last year in prison. Comment: nationwide survey (44 prisons) in a random sample of on remand and convicted prisoners (n= 1986) | any illicit drug | 34 | ||
| cannabis | 29 | |||||
| cocaine | 8 | |||||
| heroin | 12 | |||||
| amphetamines | 2 | |||||
| ecstasy | 2 | |||||
| 2007 | 1 | Persons reporting drug use within the last month in prison. Comment: nationwide survey (44 prisons) in a random sample of on remand and convicted prisoners (n= 1986) | any illicit drug | 27 | ||
| cannabis | 23 | |||||
| cocaine | 4 | |||||
| heroin | 7 | |||||
| amphetamines | 1 | |||||
| ecstasy | 1 | |||||
| 2007 | 1 | Persons reporting regular (everyday) drug use within the last month in prison. Comment: nationwide survey (44 prisons) in a random sample of on remand and convicted prisoners (n= 1986) | any illicit drug | 12 | ||
| cannabis | 7 | |||||
| cocaine | 1 | |||||
| heroin | 3 | |||||
| amphetamines | 0.3 | |||||
| ecstasy | 0.3 | |||||
| 2001 | 2 | Persons reporting drug use within the last year in prison. Comment: nationwide survey (47 prisons) in a random sample of on remand and convicted prisoners (n= 2057) | any illicit drug | 52 | ||
| cannabis | 44 | |||||
| cocaine | 26 | |||||
| heroin | 33 | |||||
| amphetamines | 10 | |||||
| ecstasy | 10 | |||||
| 2001 | 2 | Persons reporting drug use within the last month in prison. Comment: nationwide survey (47 prisons) in a random sample of on remand and convicted prisoners (n= 2057). | any illicit drug | 30 | ||
| cannabis | 24 | |||||
| cocaine | 7 | |||||
| heroin | 16 | |||||
| amphetamines | 2 | |||||
| ecstasy | 1 | |||||
| 2001 | 2 | Persons reporting regular (everyday) drug use within the last month in prison. Comment: nationwide survey (47 prisons) in a random sample of on remand and convicted prisoners (n= 2057). | any illicit drug | 10 | ||
| cannabis | 6 | |||||
| cocaine | 2 | |||||
| heroin | 5 | |||||
| Romania | 2011 | 1 | Persons reporting lifetime drug use in prison. Comment: national survey in 27 prisons among prisoners both judicial status (on-remand, convicted), both gender (men, women) and age: minor (≤17 years), young offenders (18-21 years) and adults (22-64 years). Type of institutions covered: maximum security/close/remand, semi-open and open, minors and youths, reform centre and hospitals. Sampling method probabilistic, stratified and multistage. Second study, first one was conducted in 2006. (n=2064) | any illicit drug | 5 | |
| cannabis | 1 | |||||
| cocaine | 0.4 | |||||
| heroin | 2 | |||||
| ecstasy | 1 | |||||
| 2011 | 1 | Persons reporting last year drug use in prison Comment: national survey in 27 prisons among prisoners both judicial status (on-remand, convicted), both gender (men, women) and age: minor (≤17 years), young offenders (18-21 years) and adults (22-64 years). Type of institutions covered: maximum security/close/remand, semi-open and open, minors and youths, reform centre and hospitals. Sampling method probabilistic, stratified and multistage. Second study, first one was conducted in 2006. (n=2064) | any illicit drug | 2 | ||
| cannabis | 0.5 | |||||
| cocaine | 0.1 | |||||
| heroin | 1 | |||||
| ecstasy | 1 | |||||
| 2011 | 1 | Persons reporting last month drug use in prison Comment: national survey in 27 prisons among prisoners both judicial status (on-remand, convicted), both gender (men, women) and age: minor (≤17 years), young offenders (18-21 years) and adults (22-64 years). Type of institutions covered: maximum security/close/remand, semi-open and open, minors and youths, reform centre and hospitals. Sampling method probabilistic, stratified and multistage. Second study, first one was conducted in 2006. (n=2064) | any illicit drug | 0.7 | ||
| cannabis | 0.1 | |||||
| cocaine | 0.1 | |||||
| heroin | 0.4 | |||||
| 2006 | 2 | Persons reporting lifetime drug use in prison. Comment: survey in 27 prisons among prisoners (n=3218) | any illicit drug | 2 | ||
| cannabis | 0.6 | |||||
| cocaine | 0.2 | |||||
| heroin | 1 | |||||
| amphetamines | 0.1 | |||||
| ecstasy | 0.2 | |||||
| LSD | 0.1 | |||||
| Spain | 2006 | 1 | Persons reporting last month drug use in prison Comment: nationwide survey in 66 prisons in a random sample of prisoners (n= 4934) (women overrepresented). | cannabis | 28 | |
| cocaine | 3 | |||||
| crack | 3 | |||||
| heroin | 5 | |||||
| heroin + cocaine in the same dose | 2 | |||||
| amphetamines | 0.3 | |||||
| ecstasy | 0.3 | |||||
| Finland | 2001 | 2 | Persons reporting illicit drug use while in prison. Comment: national survey among a sample of voluntary HIV tested convicted prisoners (n= 825). | 16.5 | ||
| United Kingdom (England) | 2001 | 2 | Women reporting drug use within prison. Comment: national survey of female prisoners on remand and convicted in 10 prisons (n= 301) (from Borrill et al., 2003b) | any illicit drug (females) | 45 | |
| cannabis (females) | 21 | |||||
| cocaine (females) | 2 | |||||
| crack (females) | 9 | |||||
| heroin (females) | 27 | |||||
| amphetamines (females) | 1 | |||||
| ecstasy (females) | 1 | |||||
| LSD (females) | 1 | |||||
| tranquilizers (females) | 17 | |||||
| United Kingdom (England and Wales) | 2001-02 | 4 | Persons reporting drug use in the current prison. Comment: survey in 31 prisons in a representative sample of male and female remanded and sentenced prisoners (n= 2266). | any illicit drug | 39 | |
| cannabis | 32 | |||||
| cocaine | 1 | |||||
| crack | 5 | |||||
| heroin | 21 | |||||
| amphetamine | 1 | |||||
| ecstasy | 3 | |||||
| LSD | 1 | |||||
| 2001-02 | 4 | Persons reporting drug use during the past month in the current prison. Comment: survey in 31 prisons in a representative sample of male and female remanded and sentenced prisoners (n= 2266). | any illicit drug | 25 | ||
| cannabis | 19 | |||||
| cocaine | 1 | |||||
| crack | 2 | |||||
| heroin | 13 | |||||
| amphetamine | 0 | |||||
| ecstasy | 1 | |||||
| LSD | 0 | |||||
| 2001-02 | 4 | Persons reporting drug use during the past week in the current prison. Comment: survey in 31 prisons in a representative sample of male and female remanded and sentenced prisoners (n= 2266). | any illicit drug | 16 | ||
| cannabis | 9 | |||||
| cocaine | 0 | |||||
| crack | 0 | |||||
| heroin | 10 | |||||
| amphetamine | 0 | |||||
| ecstasy | 0 | |||||
| LSD | 0 | |||||
| United Kingdom (Scotland) | 2011 | 10 | Persons reporting drug use within the last month during the current imprisonment: Have you used illegal drugs in the last month while in this prison?. Comment: nationwide cross-sectional survey in all Scottish prisons amongst the total population of prisoners ( remand and convicted, young offenders and adults, age range 16-79 years) (n= 4198) | any illicit drug | 21 | |
| cannabis | 13 | |||||
| cocaine | 3 | |||||
| heroin | 15 | |||||
| amphetamines | 9 | |||||
| ecstasy | 2 | |||||
| 2009 | 11 | Persons reporting drug use within the last month during the current imprisonment: Have you used illegal drugs in the last month while in this prison?. Comment: nationwide cross-sectional survey in all Scottish prisons amongst the total population of prisoners ( remand and convicted, young offenders and adults, age range 16-79 years) (n= 4431) | any illicit drug | 22 | ||
| cannabis | 13 | |||||
| cocaine | 4 | |||||
| heroin | 15 | |||||
| amphetamines | 2 | |||||
| ecstasy | 2 | |||||
| 2009 | 11 | Persons reporting lifetime drug use in prison: Have you ever used illegal drugs in prison? Comment: nationwide cross-sectional survey in all Scottish prisons amongst the total population of prisoners ( remand and convicted, young offenders and adults, age range 16-79 years) (n= 4431) | any illicit drug | 45 | ||
| 2008 | 12 | Persons reporting drug use during the current imprisonment. Comment: nationwide survey among all prisoners (n=4318). | any illicit drug | 26 | ||
| cannabis | 17 | |||||
| cocaine | 5 | |||||
| heroin | 18 | |||||
| amphetamines | 2 | |||||
| ecstasy | 3 | |||||
| 2008 | 12 | Persons reporting lifetime drug use in prison Comment: nationwide survey among all prisoners (n=4318). | any illicit drug | 48 | ||
| 2007 | 13 | Persons reporting drug use during the current imprisonment. Comment: nationwide survey among all prisoners (n= 4692). | any illicit drug | 30 | ||
| cannabis | 19 | |||||
| cocaine | 6 | |||||
| heroin | 21 | |||||
| amphetamines | 2 | |||||
| ecstasy | 3 | |||||
| 2007 | 13 | Persons reporting lifetime drug use in prison Comment: nationwide survey among all prisoners (n= 4692). | any illicit drug | 51 | ||
| 2006 | 14 | Persons reporting drug use during the current imprisonment. Comment: nationwide survey among all prisoners (n= 4778). | any illicit drug | 29 | ||
| cannabis | 20 | |||||
| cocaine | 6 | |||||
| heroin | 21 | |||||
| amphetamines | 2 | |||||
| ecstasy | 3 | |||||
| 2006 | 14 | Persons reporting lifetime drug use in prison Comment: nationwide survey among all prisoners (n= 4778). | any illicit drug | 50 | ||
| 2005 | 15 | Persons reporting drug use during the current imprisonment. Comment: nationwide survey among all prisoners (n= 4831). | any illicit drug | 34 | ||
| cannabis | 77 | |||||
| cocaine | 14 | |||||
| heroin/opiates | 69 | |||||
| amphetamines | 4 | |||||
| ecstasy | 9 | |||||
| 2005 | 15 | Persons reporting lifetime drug use in prison Comment: nationwide survey among all prisoners (n= 4831). | any illicit drug | 50 | ||
| 2004 | 16 | Persons reporting drug use during the current imprisonment. Comment: nationwide survey among all prisoners (n= 4793). | any illicit drug | 50 | ||
| cannabis | 78 | |||||
| cocaine | 14 | |||||
| heroin | 63 | |||||
| amphetamines | 6 | |||||
| ecstasy | 12 | |||||
| 2004 | 16 | Persons reporting lifetime drug use in prison Comment: nationwide survey among all prisoners (n= 4793). | any illicit drug | 55 | ||
| 2003 | 17 | Persons reporting drug use during the current imprisonment. Comment: national survey in 16 prisons among all prisoners available at the time of the survey (n= 4741). | any illicit drug | 32 | ||
| cannabis | 24 | |||||
| cocaine/crack | 6 | |||||
| heroin/methadone/other opiates | 21 | |||||
| amphetamines | 5 | |||||
| Norway | 2002 | 2 | Persons reporting drug use during the current imprisonment. Comment: national survey in all 52 prisons among on remand and convicted prisoners (n= 1074). | any illicit drug | 26-38 |
Notes:
Caution should be applied when considering that a survey is said to be 'national' as this refers to its intended geographical coverage, but does not mean it is necessarily representative of the national situation, which would depend on any sampling procedures adopted. Note that the size of the prison population surveyed is not available for most of the studies displayed in this table, and sample sizes reflect different proportions of the population in different countries.
Sources:
For access to sources and bibliographic references, refer to Table DUP-0.