Services for prisoners with alcohol-related problems: a survey of U.K. prisons.
Offenders have been identified as heavy drinkers who admit to a relationship between drinking and offending. Many prisoners express a desire to reduce their alcohol consumption. The extent of alcohol interventions in U.K. prisons was unknown and so a postal survey was conducted to gather basic information about current work. Of all responding establishments, 91% claimed to provide services for prisoners with alcohol-related problems and 58% gave details of these services. Services are provided mainly by probation officers/social workers, prison officers and Alcoholics Anonymous. Group and individual interventions are described. Service development has been haphazard, lacking central co-ordination. A case is made for appointment of a central facilitator responsible for staff training, establishing a communications network, encouraging new interventions to match clients' needs, encouraging closer links with community workers and guiding evaluative research.
McMurran
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M
Baldwin
S
S
D000437:Alcoholism / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006295:Health Resources / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000639:trends*; D006113:United Kingdom