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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 throughcare) 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.
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