Prison Health Needs Assessment for Alcohol Problems
Background and Rationale
A health care needs assessment carried out in the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) identified key areas for service development in SPS health care services. These included more services for those staying short terms and on remand and strengthening of links with community services and agencies, both on the way into prison and on liberation. These findings equally applied to services for alcohol problems.
The national strategy document, ‘Changing Scotland’s Relationship with Alcohol: A Framework for Action’ outlined the Governments commitment to conducting a review of current plans and practice for the identification and treatment of offenders with alcohol problems in criminal justice settings and identify good practice.
Aim
The aim of this study is to conduct an in depth needs assessment of alcohol problems in prisoners and provide recommendations for service improvement.
Objectives
- To describe the nature and scale of alcohol problems in prisoners;
- To identify effective interventions for identifying and treating offenders with alcohol problems;
- To map current service delivery in the prison estate;
- To identify existing good practice and standards of care;
- Undertake a gap-analysis;
- Make recommendations for service development including a model of care.
Methods and Timeframe
The methods combine elements of both quantitative and qualitative approaches, including an in-depth case-study within an individual prison. The study commenced in September 2009.
Contact
For further detail please contact:
Dr Lesley Graham, ISD, NHS National Services Scotland email: lesley.graham@nhs.net
Andrew McAuley, NHS Health Scotland, email: lesley.graham@nhs.net