It is a known fact that the correctional facilities consist of inmates from different cultures and ethnicities, who have committed various offences. Prisoners sentenced for drug offenses constituted the largest group of the inmates. The non-violent offenders, especially substance abuse, are often allowed to mingle with the general population in a prison.

The debate that has been raging in criminal justice field for quite sometime has been centered on the point that prisons and jails should only house violent security risk offenders and irredeemable habitual offenders. This has been mainly due to the fact that mingling of non-violent offenders with habitual offenders has had a negative effect altogether.

For example a person who had used drug in the past and his/her mingling with the general population is only going to worsen his/her present situation. The widespread use of drugs and physical and mental abuse among the prison inmates is only going to push non-violent offenders to become a habitual offender. Through this instead of rehabilataing a person and creating a healthy individual for the society, we will be adding one more into the long list of hardcore offenders.

An alternative form will be the best option for prisoners with substance abuse cases as the prison culture is not going to do the desired effect and the tendency of the offenders to re-offend has become a serious concern for all. A psychological and religious approach, which touches the core of human emotion, and which can sow the seeds of empathy and love should be a best alternative.