Problem drinking fuels many crimes: 40% of those in Scotland’s jails committed their crime while under the influence of alcohol. Equally significant, however, is the statistic that 46% of them say they are keen to get help with their drinking problem while in prison.
A cognitive behavioral program tailored to address the problems of alcohol misuse among prisoners is to be welcomed. As Dr Lesley Graham, who has conducted research into alcohol problems among prisoners, puts it: "We have got a population who are the hardest to reach in the community setting but in prison they are easy to reach."
Those who want help are more likely to complete a programme while they are incarcerated, whereas those who are more resistant may begin to confront the idea that their behaviour is problematic. It is an opportunity that should not be squandered, because the sorry evidence of the link between alcohol and violence is all around us. It is not just in the crimes which lead to imprisonment but in our accident and emergency departments, where around 77 people a day attend to be treated for alcohol-related assaults, and in the threatening and anti-social behaviour in our streets.
Research shows that, for every £1 spent on alcohol treatment, up to £5 is recuperated for public services, but the gain from treating prisoners may be even more effective if the treatment is able to halt the continuous cycle of alcohol consumption, crime and imprisonment. Alcohol-related death rates have more than tripled in the past 25 years and the death rate from cirrhosis among men in Scotland is the worst in Europe. We have to tackle the problem and that must include the problem drinkers who are behind bars. Their programme, however, must not end at the prison gate; indeed, support once they have returned to society will be crucial if the treatment they have received is to succeed when put to the test.
If the Custodial Sentences and Weapons (Scotland) Bill, currently making its way through the parliament, becomes law, it will replace automatic early release of prisoners with a system where they are released under licence to serve the final part of their sentences in the community. That has been widely welcomed, albeit with reservations about implementation. We should implement post-release support for those who undertake the cognitive therapy for alcohol misuse as a first step. With a persistent offender programme pilot scheme also offering serial offenders the opportunity of drugs and alcohol rehabilitation if they stop committing crimes, there is a new opportunity for tackling alcohol and drug-related crime on all fronts. Getting it right could prevent people being sent to prison, rehabilitate those who are in prison and stop those who are released from re-offending.
a.jpg)
Via The Herald