HMP Altcourse have developed a drug strategy aimed at providing prisoners
with the opportunity to become drug free whilst in custody and upon
release. It embraces the Government's ten-year strategy for tackling
drug misuse and the Prison Service's Drug Strategy.
This is achieved by the use of three basic principles:
A supported detoxification programme has been set up aimed at new
admissions into the prison who are identified as needing assistance
withdrawing from drugs (including alcohol). The programme lasts
for 14 days and is based on a gradually reducing dosage of medication.
The programme requires prisoners to participate in various activities
such as drug and alcohol misuse groups, healthy living and relaxation
classes. A qualified substance misuse nurse is based on the detoxification
unit to provide ongoing support for the prisoners. This includes
advice on harm reduction, Hepatitis B and C, HIV, diet and healthy
living.
Reducing the supply of illicit drugs into the establishment is achieved
by the use of the following:
Security intelligence
Targeting users / dealers
Searching
Drug dogs
Liaisons with police
Closed visits
Staff training
Adjudications
Mandatory drug testing
Frequent testing programme
Voluntary drug testing
Barringer lonscan machine
CCTV
These factors, coupled with the physical security afforded by
HMP Altcourse have made it extremely difficult for dealers to
be able to get drugs into the establishment.
Reducing the demand for drugs both whilst in prison and upon release
is achieved by the use of a multi-disciplinary approach. Our main
partner in this is Turning Point who have worked with HMP Altcourse
for the past three and a half years providing intervention for
any prisoners identified as having a substance misuse problem.
The team comprises of a team leader plus five project workers
who provide case management of CARATS (counselling, assessment,
referral, advice and thoroughcare) and assistance in the delivery
and management of a three month rehabilitation programme. They
work as part of a wider multi-disciplinary team contributing to
the overall drug strategy of the prison. The general focus of
the work is cognitive behavioural-based incorporating solution
focused therapy and motivational interviewing techniques. This
enables the individual to make changes to their own lives and
understand the reasons behind relapse to help them reintegrate
back into society on release.
Within our policy of reducing demand we use the following tools:
Rehabilitation unit
Voluntary testing units
Voluntary drug testing
Group work programmes
Relapse prevention work
Counselling support
Healthcare support
Liaison with external providers
The drug strategy at HMP Altcourse has proved to be highly effective
and through continual assessment is hoped to be seen as a 'blue print'
for best practices for local prisons.
