Treating alcohol-related violence: a feasibility study of a randomized controlled trial in prisons

Abstract

Purpose: There is a lack of good-quality outcome evaluations of interventions for offenders whose crimes are alcohol-related. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are considered gold standard in treatment evaluations. Here, we report on a feasibility study for an RCT of an alcohol-related violence intervention, Control of Violence for Angry, Impulsive Drinkers (COVAID). Method: 115 adult male prisoners were randomly allocated to COVAID plus treatment as usual (TAU) or TAU only. Results: Most participants (84%) found COVAID useful. Reconviction data at six months were accessed for 109 (95%) participants. There were no differences between the two groups on violent reconvictions or all reconvictions at the six-month period, but at 17 months the COVAID group had 13% fewer people reconvicted for violence, and 20% fewer had reconvictions for any offence. Conclusion: The results indicate that an RCT is feasible and provides parameters for designing a full RCT. Differences in reconviction between groups favoured COVAID and were clinically important.

Keywords:

• violence
• treatment
• alcohol
• prisoners
• COVAID
• randomized controlled trial

Acknowledgement

The research was funded by the National Offender Management Service Cymru (Wales). Our thanks to Samantha James, Karen Grove, Gemma Worgan and Psychology and staff within NOMS Cymru.

Notes

1. Contact the authors for more information on COVAID.