The relationship among marijuana use, prior incarceration, and inmates' self-reported HIV/AIDS risk behaviors

Inmates report use of a wide range of drugs including heroin, methadone, and cocaine at some point in their lives without a doctor's prescription. The most commonly used drugs include marijuana and cocaine; tobacco and alcohol are also widely used [Am. J. Public Health 90 (2000) 1939; Am. J. Drug Alcohol Abuse 26 (2000) 229]. The present study explores the relationship between marijuana use and prior incarceration on 208 inmates' self-reported HIV/AIDS risk behaviors. Analysis involved descriptive and chi-square tests of association. Findings indicate that inmates with higher self-reported levels of education were significantly less likely than others to be repeat offenders. Data also support the argument that income prior to the most recent arrest and frequency of marijuana use was related to the outcome of being a repeat offender.