Curtin University Homepage
  • Library
  • Help
    • Admin

    espace - Curtin’s institutional repository

    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.
    View Item 
    • espace Home
    • espace
    • Curtin Research Publications
    • View Item
    • espace Home
    • espace
    • Curtin Research Publications
    • View Item

    “I Lost Me Visits”: A Critical Examination of Prison Drug Policy and Its Effects on Connection to Family for Incarcerated Young Men With Histories of Injecting Drug Use

    Access Status
    Fulltext not available
    Authors
    Walker, S.
    Lancaster, K.
    Stoové, M.
    Higgs, Peter
    Wilson, Amanda
    Date
    2018
    Type
    Journal Article
    
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Citation
    Walker, S. and Lancaster, K. and Stoové, M. and Higgs, P. and Wilson, A. 2018. “I Lost Me Visits”: A Critical Examination of Prison Drug Policy and Its Effects on Connection to Family for Incarcerated Young Men With Histories of Injecting Drug Use. Contemporary Drug Problems.
    Source Title
    Contemporary Drug Problems
    DOI
    10.1177/0091450918777280
    ISSN
    0091-4509
    School
    National Drug Research Institute (NDRI)
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/68504
    Collection
    • Curtin Research Publications
    Abstract

    © 2018, The Author(s) 2018. Utilizing Bacchi’s poststructuralist approach, “What’s the problem represented to be?,” we critically examine how the “problem” of drug use in prison is represented within a key initiative—the Identified Drug User program (IDUP)—of prison drug policy in one Australian jurisdiction. We use two data sources for our analysis: interview transcripts of recently incarcerated young men (aged 19–24) with histories of injecting drug use and selected prison drug policy and program documents. We examine how the “problem” of drug use in prison is problematized within the IDUP and question commonly accepted ways of thinking that underpin the program. We explore the discursive and subjectification effects of problem representations which produce young men as “rational” and “choosing” and, at the same time, as “untrustworthy” and “deserving of punishment.” We highlight how these effects have consequences for young men’s connections to family while incarcerated which can work against the very issues the IDUP is trying to address. We make two claims in particular: that the IDUP produces harmful effects for young men and their families and that the harmful effects produced are, paradoxically, those the IDUP aims to avoid. Our analysis offers insights into how drug use in prison could be thought about differently, including suggestions that might reduce at least some of its adverse effects.

    Related items

    Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.

    • Hepatitis C in Australian prisons: A national needs assessment
      Mina, M.; Herawati, L.; Butler, Tony; Lloyd, A. (2016)
      © 2016 Emerald Group Publishing Limited.Purpose - Hepatitis C (HCV) infections are prevalent in custodial settings worldwide, yet provision of antiviral therapies is uncommon. Approximately 30, 000 prisoners are held in ...
    • The challenges of reducing tobacco use among prisoners
      Richmond, R.; Butler, Tony; Indig, D.; Wilhelm, K.; Archer, V.; Wodak, A. (2012)
      Issue. The prevalence of smoking among prisoners is exceptionally high and is often comorbid with alcohol and drug problems, mental illness and other health problems. This review paper summarises the literature and available ...
    • Policy from a harm reduction perspective
      Lenton, Simon (2003)
      Purpose of the review: The present review addresses recent literature on the effectiveness of reducing drug-related harm in a number of domains which might be promoted, facilitated, hindered, or prohibited by drug policy. ...
    Advanced search

    Browse

    Communities & CollectionsIssue DateAuthorTitleSubjectDocument TypeThis CollectionIssue DateAuthorTitleSubjectDocument Type

    My Account

    Admin

    Statistics

    Most Popular ItemsStatistics by CountryMost Popular Authors

    Follow Curtin

    • 
    • 
    • 
    • 
    • 

    CRICOS Provider Code: 00301JABN: 99 143 842 569TEQSA: PRV12158

    Copyright | Disclaimer | Privacy statement | Accessibility

    Curtin would like to pay respect to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members of our community by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which the Perth campus is located, the Whadjuk people of the Nyungar Nation; and on our Kalgoorlie campus, the Wongutha people of the North-Eastern Goldfields.