Uploaded May 2021 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Guthmann, D., & Kolvitz, M. (2021). "Substance use disorders among deaf offenders." In D. Guthmann, G. I. Lomas, D. Goff Paris, & G. A. Martin (Eds.), DEAF PEOPLE IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM (pp. 82-114). Gallaudet University Press.
https://gupress.gallaudet.edu/Books/D/Deaf-People-in-the-Criminal-Justice-System
This video may not be repurposed or incorporated into other works in any way without the express written consent of the signer and the chapter author.
Transcript:
Chapter 5, Substance Use Disorders Among Deaf Offenders
Dr. Guthmann and Dr. Kolvitz
Dr. Debra Guthmann is one of the editors of this publication and coauthored this chapter with Dr. Marcia Kolvitz. Dr. Guthmann has worked within the Deaf community for over 40 years in educational (secondary and postsecondary), medical, and social service settings. Dr. Guthmann was the founding director of the Minnesota Substance Use Disorder Program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals which opened in 1989 and was one of the first inpatient treatment programs for DHH Individuals in the country. Dr. Guthmann is currently the lead consultant for a federal grant with Wright State University focusing on the validation of mental health, substance abuse, and career-related screening tools in American Sign Language. Dr. Kolvitz is a consultant who focuses on issues related to education, vocational rehabilitation, and transition services. She has over 40 years of experience addressing education and access issues for students who are deaf and hard of hearing in K-12 programs and postsecondary educational settings. Dr. Guthmann and Dr. Kolvitz are both past presidents of ADARA.
In Chapter 5, Substance Use Disorders Among Deaf Offenders, Dr. Guthmann and Dr. Kolvitz discuss the intersection of substance use, mental health, and criminal behavior among deaf people. They address the presence of co-occurring disorders related to deaf offenders who have substance abuse issues. Throughout the chapter, the experiences of two deaf men are included to give the reader insight into the life experiences of deaf offenders with substance use and mental health issues.
Guthmann and Kolvitz begin the chapter by discussing the prevalence of substance use and criminal activity within the hearing community. Unfortunately, there has been little research to date about the prevalence among inmates who are deaf. The authors include an overview of some of the literature that has been published focusing on substance use and criminal activity within the deaf community. This literature review also includes the discussion of several small prison studies involving deaf inmates, a recently completed prevalence study regarding substance use with deaf individuals, information about barriers, and a follow-up study that was completed by those who had gone through treatment. The chapter highlights the need for more research in these areas.
Dr. Guthmann and Dr. Kolvitz discuss how deaf offenders face a number of barriers to communication and other kinds of access throughout the criminal justice system. They highlight the need for providing effective communication access–whether through ASL interpreters, videophones, video relay services, printed materials, visual notifications, or TTYs--to assist deaf individuals to better understand the judicial process as well as the rules and procedures that typically occur in correctional facilities.
The authors also discuss the gaps in state and federal prisons that exist between available addiction treatment, inmate participation, and the need for such services. Guthmann and Kolvitz share anecdotal stories from deaf inmates who are in facilities where they are housed with other deaf inmates, and examples from those who may be the only deaf individual in their facility. They discuss how deaf inmates may be unable to access prison programming such as substance use treatment and 12-Step Programs and that without an interpreter or other support services, these individuals may be released much later than if that access was provided. Further exacerbating the problem is that currently, there are no evidence-based treatment programs specifically designed for deaf individuals, whether incarcerated or not. The lack of accessible options for deaf individuals who may be required to participate in treatment as terms of their release is problematic since few if any programs are available in most communities.
Another area that the chapter covers are those deaf individuals who may have a mental illness, learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, or cognitive disabilities, and how this has been linked to increased rates of substance abuse within the general population. The authors discuss the importance of conducting assessments and providing accurate diagnoses to identify and better understand hidden disabilities among deaf individuals, including those who are incarcerated.
[Please see the comments for the remainder of the transcript.]
Guthmann, D., & Kolvitz, M. (2021). "Substance use disorders among deaf offenders." In D. Guthmann, G. I. Lomas, D. Goff Paris, & G. A. Martin (Eds.), DEAF PEOPLE IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM (pp. 82-114). Gallaudet University Press.
https://gupress.gallaudet.edu/Books/D/Deaf-People-in-the-Criminal-Justice-System
This video may not be repurposed or incorporated into other works in any way without the express written consent of the signer and the chapter author.
Transcript:
Chapter 5, Substance Use Disorders Among Deaf Offenders
Dr. Guthmann and Dr. Kolvitz
Dr. Debra Guthmann is one of the editors of this publication and coauthored this chapter with Dr. Marcia Kolvitz. Dr. Guthmann has worked within the Deaf community for over 40 years in educational (secondary and postsecondary), medical, and social service settings. Dr. Guthmann was the founding director of the Minnesota Substance Use Disorder Program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals which opened in 1989 and was one of the first inpatient treatment programs for DHH Individuals in the country. Dr. Guthmann is currently the lead consultant for a federal grant with Wright State University focusing on the validation of mental health, substance abuse, and career-related screening tools in American Sign Language. Dr. Kolvitz is a consultant who focuses on issues related to education, vocational rehabilitation, and transition services. She has over 40 years of experience addressing education and access issues for students who are deaf and hard of hearing in K-12 programs and postsecondary educational settings. Dr. Guthmann and Dr. Kolvitz are both past presidents of ADARA.
In Chapter 5, Substance Use Disorders Among Deaf Offenders, Dr. Guthmann and Dr. Kolvitz discuss the intersection of substance use, mental health, and criminal behavior among deaf people. They address the presence of co-occurring disorders related to deaf offenders who have substance abuse issues. Throughout the chapter, the experiences of two deaf men are included to give the reader insight into the life experiences of deaf offenders with substance use and mental health issues.
Guthmann and Kolvitz begin the chapter by discussing the prevalence of substance use and criminal activity within the hearing community. Unfortunately, there has been little research to date about the prevalence among inmates who are deaf. The authors include an overview of some of the literature that has been published focusing on substance use and criminal activity within the deaf community. This literature review also includes the discussion of several small prison studies involving deaf inmates, a recently completed prevalence study regarding substance use with deaf individuals, information about barriers, and a follow-up study that was completed by those who had gone through treatment. The chapter highlights the need for more research in these areas.
Dr. Guthmann and Dr. Kolvitz discuss how deaf offenders face a number of barriers to communication and other kinds of access throughout the criminal justice system. They highlight the need for providing effective communication access–whether through ASL interpreters, videophones, video relay services, printed materials, visual notifications, or TTYs--to assist deaf individuals to better understand the judicial process as well as the rules and procedures that typically occur in correctional facilities.
The authors also discuss the gaps in state and federal prisons that exist between available addiction treatment, inmate participation, and the need for such services. Guthmann and Kolvitz share anecdotal stories from deaf inmates who are in facilities where they are housed with other deaf inmates, and examples from those who may be the only deaf individual in their facility. They discuss how deaf inmates may be unable to access prison programming such as substance use treatment and 12-Step Programs and that without an interpreter or other support services, these individuals may be released much later than if that access was provided. Further exacerbating the problem is that currently, there are no evidence-based treatment programs specifically designed for deaf individuals, whether incarcerated or not. The lack of accessible options for deaf individuals who may be required to participate in treatment as terms of their release is problematic since few if any programs are available in most communities.
Another area that the chapter covers are those deaf individuals who may have a mental illness, learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, or cognitive disabilities, and how this has been linked to increased rates of substance abuse within the general population. The authors discuss the importance of conducting assessments and providing accurate diagnoses to identify and better understand hidden disabilities among deaf individuals, including those who are incarcerated.
[Please see the comments for the remainder of the transcript.]
