News
Call for prison alcohol screening
09/02/2011
A study of prisoners' health needs has found that up to three quarters of male inmates have a problem with alcohol.
A report estimates that more than a third are dependant on drink.
Its authors say that measures such as routine alcohol screening for offenders could help tackle the problem.
The results of The Prison Health Needs Assessment for Alcohol Problems will be unveiled at an NHS Health Scotland conference.
More than a third of prisoners said if they were offered help for their alcohol problems they would take it.
A prisoner survey published last year found that half of all prisoners were drunk at the time they committed the offence that put them behind bars.
NHS Health Scotland's director of public health science Dr Laurence Gruer said: "This study highlights the need for a more comprehensive system of screening and assessment for interventions to be tailored according to the nature of each offender's relationship with alcohol."
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: "The problem of alcohol misuse among offenders is a major challenge to us all, and the needs assessment being launched today is a tremendous contribution to the work required to rise to this challenge.
"As a Government, we will continue to work with local partners to support them in assessing offenders' needs effectively and ensuring provision of appropriate services is made available to meet these needs."
* Mailing List Link
* Event Link
* Alcohol Information Link
A report estimates that more than a third are dependant on drink.
Its authors say that measures such as routine alcohol screening for offenders could help tackle the problem.
The results of The Prison Health Needs Assessment for Alcohol Problems will be unveiled at an NHS Health Scotland conference.
More than a third of prisoners said if they were offered help for their alcohol problems they would take it.
A prisoner survey published last year found that half of all prisoners were drunk at the time they committed the offence that put them behind bars.
NHS Health Scotland's director of public health science Dr Laurence Gruer said: "This study highlights the need for a more comprehensive system of screening and assessment for interventions to be tailored according to the nature of each offender's relationship with alcohol."
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: "The problem of alcohol misuse among offenders is a major challenge to us all, and the needs assessment being launched today is a tremendous contribution to the work required to rise to this challenge.
"As a Government, we will continue to work with local partners to support them in assessing offenders' needs effectively and ensuring provision of appropriate services is made available to meet these needs."
* Mailing List Link
* Event Link
* Alcohol Information Link