Online policy and practice briefings: Prisons and the criminal justice system.

People who commit criminal offences and enter the criminal justice system have higher rates of drug use and injecting than the general population. People with drug problems in the criminal justice system are often repeat offenders, and make up a significant proportion of prisoners. Adherence to the international drug conventions does not necessitate incarceration as a response to the use of controlled substances. Nevertheless, a significant number of offenders with drug problems are incarcerated for use or possession offences. Many others are imprisoned for other drug law offences or crimes, such as theft committed to obtain money for drugs. The complex health care needs of these individuals need to be assessed on prison entry. As the average duration of a prison sentence for this group is a few months, they are a dynamic population with regular contacts with the community; this has implications for public health. Drug use occurs in prisons and also presents a public health and safety risk to prisoners and prison officers. The use of synthetic cannabinoids is an emerging issue of concern in some countries