Self-reported substance use and intervention experience of prisoners with intellectual disability

ABSTRACT

Background It has been increasingly recognised that many offenders with intellectual disability (ID) have substance use issues, yet surprisingly little is known about the treatment needs of this population.

Method In order to explore pre-sentence patterns of substance use, the role of substance use in offending behaviour, and experience with substance treatment programs, interviews were conducted with 33 sentenced prisoners.

Results The findings of this study identified hazardous and harmful rates of alcohol use and high rates of substance use among prisoners with ID. Most participants reported being intoxicated at the time of their offence. Participants’ experience of substance intervention programs varied. Although many reported a positive experience, others reported significant participation barriers.

Conclusions This study supports the increasingly recognised link between substance use and offending behaviour among prisoners with ID and highlights the importance of tailored and coordinated treatment initiatives, both within corrections facilities and the community.

KEYWORDS:

• intellectual disability (ID)
• prisoners
• substance use
• interventions

Acknowledgements

We acknowledge Corrections Victoria for funding this research. We especially wish to recognise the prisoners with intellectual disability who volunteered to participate. Sincere thanks to Paul Gardiner for his expert interviewing.

Conflicts of interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This research was entirely funded by Corrections Victoria. The funding body has not imposed any restrictions on the free access to or publication of the research data reported in this paper.