ALCOHOL BRIEF INTERVENTIONS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SETTINGS
Reducing alcohol problems in offenders by ABI screening and delivery also has potential for wider outcomes in a hard to reach population.
Quick Links
- NHS Dumfries and Galloway
- NHS Forth Valley
- NHS Grampian
- NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
- NHS Lanarkshire
- NHS Lothian
- NHS Tayside
NHS Dumfries and Galloway
For information about the overall approach to delivery of ABI in NHS Dumfries and Galloway email: lhyland@nhs.net
Procurator Fiscal's office
Summary: Following discussions with staff at the Procurator Fiscal’s office, the NHS health improvement team began to deliver ABIs to inform and raise awareness and to disseminate information in an opportunistic fashion.
Delivery model: Opportunistic screening and delivery of ABIs.
Supporting factors: Time of year. This began in December when people were talking about going on nights out. Fiscal Staff wanted to be more aware about alcohol both for themselves and others.
Ensuring information was kept anonymous.
Challenges: None noted.
Contact details:
Tina Gibson
Public Health Practitioner
NHS Health Improvement - Dumfries and Galloway
Tina.gibson@nhs.net
NHS Forth Valley
For information about the overall approach to delivery of ABI in NHS Forth Valley email: theresa.martinus@nhs.net
Criminal Justice Social Work
Summary: The criminal justice social work staff highlighted the impact that alcohol has on the clients they deal with. They wanted to make a positive impact on the frequency of re-offending, which was attributed to hazardous alcohol use.
Delivery model: These interventions will be delivered on a one-to-one basis with clients engaged with the criminal justice social work service.
Supporting factors: Alcohol and Drugs Partnership alcohol strategy and the buy-in of staff and management are important factors, as are Community Payback Order requirements.
Challenges: The main challenge is providing evidence of screening and delivery through data collection, which is currently being developed.
Contact details:
Theresa Martinus
FVADP Coordinator
theresa.martinus@nhs.net
NHS Grampian
Please email cathyyoung@nhs.net for information about the overall approach to ABI in NHS Grampian.
Custody referral scheme - Fraserburgh
Summary: The Custody Referral Scheme provides an opportunity for all individuals, in custody for any crime or offence committed whilst under the influence of alcohol, to undergo an alcohol brief intervention. An assessment is also undertaken in order to identify appropriate services to meet their individual needs.
This work is undertaken by practitioners employed from a community organisation, working in partnership with the staff in the custody suite, who have been trained to screen and deliver ABIs as part of their role. The practitioners support individuals in the community who wish to address their substance misuse issues.
Delivery model:Opportunistic screening, delivery of ABIs and follow up.
Supporting factors: Support from Grampian Police and Aberdeenshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership to develop and instigate a pro active custody referral scheme.
Challenges: none noted at present.
Contact details:
Karen Watson
Service Manager
Turning Point Scotland.
karenwatson@turningpointscotland.com
Police custody suite
Summary: An audit carried out by Grampian Police and Robert Gordon University highlighted the need for this service to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals in police custody and effect a reduction in alcohol consumption and related offending. Patients were signposted or referred to service provision where appropriate.
Delivery model: Opportunistic screening, delivery of ABI and follow-up.
Supporting factors: Funding provided by Aberdeen CHP Health Improvement Fund to add capacity for Police to facilitate interventions.
Challenges: Ongoing funding and sustainability. Availability of PCSO (civilian) staff to work weekends.
Contact details:
Fraser Hoggan
ADP Support team
NHS Grampian
Fraser.hoggan@nhs.net
Criminal justice social work court reports
Summary: As part of our statutory duty to provide Social Work Reports to the Court prior to sentencing, there is a need to assess what part substance misuse might play in offending and what remedial action might be required. Knowledge of screening tools led to adopting these as brief but effective means of assessing the level of intervention required as part of a much broader interview process. However, many of the people interviewed may receive disposals that do not bring them into contact with follow-up support, e.g. fines. Once the opportunity was identified, it was a natural progression to use that same tool to respond with a brief intervention where appropriate
Delivery model: Planned screening and delivery of ABIs. Where appropriate, Court orders follow by planned screening, delivery of ABI and follow-up.
Supporting factors: The departmental management was ready to adopt new techniques and broaden the use of newly introduced materials. Staff were willing to embed an additional procedure within a fairly complex and lengthy process - balancing this against using a tool that quickly assesses pattern of problem. Also the benefit of potential impact on a client one might never have the opportunity to work with otherwise.
Challenges: The process is often quite complex and lengthy and it can be difficult to retain the interest of the client. Staff are already constrained by statutory time limits to produce reports, so a further requirement to keep data sets has not been added.
Contact details:
Vanessa Case
Duty Court Social Worker
Aberdeenshire Council
vanessa.case@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
Peterhead and Banff Sheriff Courts
Summary: Screening and delivery of ABIs can be carried out as part of the need to assess what part substance misuse might play in offending, and to reduce alcohol consumption where appropriate. Contact details for the Duty Court Social Worker and local services are given out to improve the take-up of support.
Delivery model: Opportunistic screening and delivery of ABIs.
Supporting factors: Received ADP support in part financing the post to extend opportunities for ABI delivery as part of augmented alcohol support in this setting.
Challenges: The geography of setting and the lack of privacy are challenging factors. Delivery is very dependent on who is appearing in court and for what reasons. As it is entirely opportunistic, there is often no background information available on the person. Workers rely on goodwill to engage with offenders and cannot usually follow up impacts. Only the briefest of anonymous information can be recorded.
Contact details:
Vanessa Case
Duty Court Social Worker
Aberdeenshire Council
vanessa.case@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
For information about the overall approach to ABI delivery in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, email paul.rimmer@glasgow.gov.uk
Inverclyde: HM Prison Greenock
Summary: An initial Nursing Admission Assessment is carried out as part of the prison health screening processes upon admission to prison which includes an assessment on alcohol consumption. Alternatively, this may occur upon referral/ 1:1 interview with our Enhanced Casework Addiction Services (EACS). The practitioner and/or addiction nurse from the Scottish Prison Service and the Enhanced Addiction Case Worker from Phoenix Futures work in partnership to establish the level of need either through medical intervention or ongoing counselling/education.
Delivery model:
Opportunistic screening and delivery of ABI
Opportunistic screening, delivery of ABI and follow-up
Opportunistic screening and onward referral for delivery of ABI.
Supporting factors: All prisoners upon admission into prison are assessed by a member of the medical team. Following referral, an EACS worker will arrange an interview to ascertain the level of support required.
Challenges: None noted.
Contact details:
John Aitken
Interventions Manager
Scottish Prison Service
john.aitken@sps.pnn.gov.uk
West Dunbartonshire: Arrest Referral Service
Summary: This work is delivered by the voluntary sector in partnership with statutory service. We work with Alternatives Voluntary Organisation which is funded through the Fairer Scotland Fund with their Arrest Referral Worker undertaking screening and delivery of ABIs. The worker is based in a police station at peak times and undertakes ABIs opportunistically as required when referred by the police officers on duty.
Delivery model: Opportunistic screening and delivery of ABI.
Supporting factors: The Arrest Referral service has a targeted approach to alcohol related arrestees aged 16 and over. The areas for delivery were highlighted by the West Dunbartonshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership as well as Treatment and Support, Alcohol Prevention and Education Sub Groups and Arrest Referral Working Group.
Challenges: The main challenges have been developing internal processes for ABI recording and building the confidence of the workers to complete ABIs.
Contact details:
Ailsa King
Health Improvement Lead, WDCHCP
Ailsa.King2@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
West Dunbartonshire: Drug Testing and Treatment Orders
Summary: The Drug Testing and Treatment Order (DTTO) nurses and Group Workers are trained to screen and deliver ABIs as an appropriate intervention as part of a longer term criminal justice care management process.
Delivery model: Opportunistic screening and delivery of ABI.
Supporting factors: The areas for delivery were highlighted by the West Dunbartonshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP) as well as Treatment and Support, Alcohol Prevention and Education Sub Groups.
Challenges: The main challenges have been developing internal processes for ABI recording and building the confidence of the workers to complete ABIs.
Contact details:
Ailsa King
Health Improvement Lead, WDCHCP
Ailsa.King2@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
South Glasgow CHP: social workers and social care
Summary: Social Workers and Social Care Workers from GCC Criminal Justice Service received ABI training as they were identified as being a staff group in a position to address the role of alcohol in problem behaviours.
Delivery model: Opportunistic screening and delivery of ABI
Supporting factors: Good quality training was delivered at an appropriate level based on feedback from pre-course questionnaires. Sufficient resources were provided for delivery, along with ongoing trainer support to deliver ABIs. Clear contact details, instructions and pathways for possible referral were also provided.
Challenges: No ABI monitoring forms have been returned from this group and there has been a lack of feedback from staff in addition to organisational challenges.
Contact details:
Lee Craig
Senior Health Improvement Practitioner
Health Improvement team, Glasgow CHP South Sector
Lee.Craig@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
NHS Lanarkshire
For information about the overall approach to delivery of ABI in NHS Lanarkshire email valerie.tallon@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk.
Probation and Community Service
Summary: Because the prevelance of hazardous or harmful drinking is higher in individuals involved in the criminal justice system than the general population, a pilot study was undertaken to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of delivering ABIs by community justice staff.
The intended outcomes are to reduce alcohol consumption, improve health and reduce re-offending, given the link between alcohol use and violent and anti-social behaviour. The pilot aims to determine the feasibility of ABIs in community justice settings.
Delivery model: Planned screening, delivery of ABIs and follow-up.
Supporting factors: Support from NHS Health Scotland (Alcohol and Offenders Criminal Justice Research Programme)
Challenges: Timing of the study was an issue, as the pilot coincided with a number of significant changes happening in community justice. The timing of screening was also a challenge; in the future it will be introduced at the court report writing stage. Some staff did not feel confident in delivering ABIs or did not see this as part of their role.
Contact details:
Kay Rodger
Senior Officer Justice
North Lanarkshire Council Housing and Social Work Services
rodgerka@northlan.gov.uk
NHS Lothian
For information about the overall approach to delivery of ABI in NHS Lothian, email jamie.megaw@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk
Lothian and Borders Police
Summary Links between offending behaviour, crime rates and alcohol use have been identified, leading to custodial officers within the Lothian and Borders Police Force custody suites being trained to screen and deliver ABIs.
The desired outcomes include embedding the delivery of ABI in core practice of police personnel across the Lothian and Borders Force area. Longer term, it is hoped that a reduction in the consumption of alcohol will lead to a fall in offending behaviour and a reduction in the time that police spend dealing with alcohol related incidents.
Delivery Model: Opportunistic screening and delivery of ABI.
Supporting Factors: Support from the Drug and Alcohol awareness officer and other senior staff within Lothian and Borders police force.
Challenges: None yet identified as it is early in the project.
Contact Details:
Eleanor McWhirter
ABI Lead
NHS Lothian
Eleanor.McWhirter@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk
Drug Treatment and Testing Order Service
Summary: Links between offending behaviour, crime rates and alcohol have been identified and community nursing staff within the Drug Treatment and Testing Order (DTTO) service were trained to screen and deliver ABIs.
The aim is to embed the delivery of ABIs in core practice of DTTO personnel across Lothian to effect a longer term reduction in the consumption of alcohol which links to offending behaviour.
Delivery model: Opportunistic screening and delivery of ABI.
Challenges: None identified as it is very early in the process.
Supporting factors: Support from senior management team.
Contact details
Eleanor McWhirter
ABI Lead
NHS Lothian
Eleanor.McWhirter@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk
NHS Tayside
For information about the overall approach to delivery of ABI in NHS Tayside email kirsty.licence@nhs.net
Criminal Justice Social Work
Summary: Following discussions with NHS Health Scotland, Perth and Kinross Council Criminal Justice Service was selected as a pilot site for the ABI Criminal Justice project. Social workers and criminal justice assistants were trained to screen and deliver ABIs.
As numbers were too small to produce any significant results, the project was essentially a scoping exercise to investigate the feasibility of delivering ABIs in this setting, and the project is currently being evaluated.
Delivery model: Planned screening, delivery of ABIs and follow-up.
Supporting factors: The employment of a project co-ordinator, and the willingness of social work staff to participate in the project.
Challenges: Criminal Justice Assistants felt uncomfortable carrying out the screening and ABIs. Prior to the employment of the project co-ordinator, the project proved extremely difficult to get off the ground.
Contact Details:
Charlie Cranmer
Research and Information Officer
Perth and Kinross Council
ccranmer@pkc.gov.uk