Abstract Objective: to evaluate the factors associated with risk related to the use of psychoactive substances in male inmates of a prison in a city in the South of Brazil. Method: a cross-sectional data from 220 men deprived of liberty, inmates of a provisional custody institution in the State of Paraná, collected with a screening instrument and questionnaire. Binary logistic regression and odds ratio analysis were used to verify associations between risk related to substance use and socio-demographic characteristics of living conditions before incarceration and current incarceration. Results: the adjusted model revealed association of consumption with skin color brown/black and yellow, those who had only one parent responsible until age 15, age at first arrest 18 or older, professing religion, working before arrest, owning their own house, living alone, receiving visitors in prison. Conclusion: the identified factors are useful to insert effective treatment proposals and reduce the gaps and social vulnerability existing in prison.