- Prison Survival Guide
- How to Prepare for Prison | Going to Prison
- First Day In Prison | First Day in Federal Prison
- Federal Prison Intake: Admission Orientation
- Life In A Jail Cell: How To Greet Cellmates
- What Is Federal Prison Really Like: How to Talk To Prison Guards
- What Do You Eat In Prison
- Showers and Toilets in Prison
- Laundry, Clothing, and Bedding in Prison
- The Prison Commissary: What Can You Buy In Prison?
- Day In The Life Of A Prisoner: Practicing Religion
- Searches, Shakedowns, and Contraband in Prison
- Inside A Prison Cell: Inmate Counts
- Can You Smoke In Prison?
- Communication Inside A Federal Prison
- Things To Do In Prison
- Health & Wellness
- How To Survive Prison: Special Tactics
Alcohol and Drugs in Prison
Few would argue that prison systems are run so well that alcohol isn’t brewed and drugs aren’t smuggled within their walls. In every prison system across the country, drugs are smuggled in by inmates and guards alike, and alcohol is brewed somewhere within the facility, including “white lightning.” This is what happens when you lock up people who are addicted to drugs and alcohol. Alcohol and drugs find their way into prison.
The key to a successful term of incarceration is to avoid trouble when possible and to manage your business when you can’t. Unsurprisingly, those who get high and drunk in prison and those who smuggle drugs and brew prison wine tend to have more than their fair share of problems. Being involved in these areas — or being around those who are — tends to result in issues for all involved. But the prospect of trouble doesn’t prevent alcoholics and drug addicts from getting drunk and high.
The administration’s response to these activities is essential to understand. To counter contraband activities, all federal prisons require front-line prison guards to conduct searches and shakedowns. This is done in common areas, walkways, work details, and housing units. Inmates can also be subjected to random and suspect breathalyzers and drug tests (urinalysis). Random testing is done by either generating a random list from each housing unit or by prison officials standing on the compound or in a housing unit and calling random prisoners over to blow into a handheld breathalyzer machine.
Suspect testing is different. Prisoners caught drinking or getting high will be placed on the “hot list” for a period of two years. During this period, those on the hotlist and others suspected of getting high or drinking will be called over for a breathalyzer or to participate in a drug test. These prisoners can plan on being tested for drugs and alcohol at least once or twice a month.
As consenting adults, prisoners can and do engage in many activities. While drinking and getting high are not smart ideas, anyone desiring to engage in such activities should go into it with their eyes wide open. Be aware that a positive breathalyzer or dirty urine will result in a 100-series incident report and a direct trip to the Special Housing Unit for at least a month.
Here are some points to keep in mind concerning alcohol and drug use in prison:
- The Federal Bureau of Prisons rarely conducts drug testing unless someone has had an incident report for dirty urine or a bad breathalyzer within the last two years. This isn’t to say that the BOP doesn’t test a lot, just that they don’t test regular, non-hot list prisoners very often.
- The tests used are generic urinalysis cup tests and breathalyzers. If you refuse to submit to testing, you will receive a 100 series incident report for refusing and be escorted to the Special Housing Unit.
- If you are caught drinking or getting high you will receive a 100 series incident report, be on the hot list for two years, and probably spend a month or two in the hole, plus loss of some privileges for a period of time.
- You can challenge the testing method through the Administrative Remedy Program. Note that it’s hard to successfully challenge drug and alcohol testing.
- If you’re going to drink or get high, stay safe and stay away from the prison guards. By staying in your housing unit and not walking around in the recreation yard or compound, you will greatly increase your chances of flying under the radar and keeping out of the hole.
Related Resources:
- Treatment for Alcohol and Drug Abuse
- Searches, Shakedowns, and Contraband
- Psychology Services in Prison
- Residential Drug Abuse Treatment
Contact us for more information on alcohol and drug abuse in prison.
How to Prepare for Prison
First Day in Federal Prison
- First Day in Federal Prison
- Admissions and Orientation
- How to Greet Cellmates
- How to Talk to Prison Guards
Prison Life
- What Do You Eat in Prison
- Prison Showers and Toilets
- Laundry, Clothing, and Bedding
- Prison Commissary
- Religion in Prison
- Searches and Shakedowns for Contraband
- Inmate Counts
- Smoking in Prison
- Inmate Work Assignments
- Education in Prison
- Recreation in Prison
- Radios and MP3 Players in Prison
- Electronic Law Library
- The Black Market in Prison
- Alcohol and Drugs in Prison
- Violence and Sexual Assault in Prison
Communicating with the Outside World
- Communicating with the Outside World
- Postal Mail
- Legal Correspondence
- Inmate Telephones
- Corrlinks.com Inmate Email
- Inmate Visitation
- How to Send Money to Inmates
Health and Wellness
Special Prison Survival Tactics
- Special Prison Survival Tactics
- LGBT Inmates Survival Tactics
- Female Prisoners
- Sex Offender Survival Tactics
For more information about prison life and how to prepare for prison, please email [email protected] or call 843-620-1100. Our team of experienced prison consultants stands ready to assist you in your time of need.
Published Apr 7, 2016 by Christopher Zoukis, JD, MBA | Last Updated by Christopher Zoukis, JD, MBA on Mar 29, 2023 at 6:38 am