489
Views
5
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Original Articles

Meeting the needs of prisoners with a drug or alcohol problem: No mean feat

, , , , , , , & show all
Pages 120-126 | Received 07 Sep 2015, Accepted 31 Jan 2016, Published online: 10 May 2016
 

Abstract

The case for providing prisoners with a drug or alcohol problem with access to effective treatment and support services is long standing and beyond question. Previous research has shown that rates of re-offending and other adverse outcomes can be reduced to the extent that such treatment services are provided to prisoners. However, as obvious as the importance of providing treatment may be this is not the same thing as ensuring that the types and range of services provided to prisoners are commensurate with the evident need. In this paper we describe the characteristics of prisoners engaged in enhanced drug and alcohol treatment within Drug Recovery Wings in prisons in England and Wales. This study which has involved structured interviews with 322 prisoners beginning enhanced drug recovery wing treatment has demonstrated the wide ranging needs of prisoners both in terms of their substance use, their mental health, their attitudes towards criminality and their motivations for treatment. On the basis of the data presented here it is essential that the support provided to prisoners with a drug or alcohol problem extends well beyond the focus on drug treatment itself to address major long standing and deep rooted areas of difficulty in the prisoners’ lives.

Log in via your institution

Log in to Taylor & Francis Online

PDF download + Online access

  • 48 hours access to article PDF & online version
  • Article PDF can be downloaded
  • Article PDF can be printed
USD 65.00 Add to cart

Issue Purchase

  • 30 days online access to complete issue
  • Article PDFs can be downloaded
  • Article PDFs can be printed
USD 856.00 Add to cart

* Local tax will be added as applicable

Related Research

People also read lists articles that other readers of this article have read.

Recommended articles lists articles that we recommend and is powered by our AI driven recommendation engine.

Cited by lists all citing articles based on Crossref citations.
Articles with the Crossref icon will open in a new tab.