Learnings from a prison-based drug treatment program on planning for release

Substance use disorder is common among people in prison worldwide.

This report explores the experiences of males in prison who completed and those who did not complete a group-based drug and alcohol program, to gain insight into their strategies for reducing harm from drug and alcohol post-release. The authors examine whether a group program may change peoples' perspectives on their drug and alcohol use and whether it supports their planning for abstinence post-release.

The researchers spoke with 22 males in an urban prison.

Results:

• Reasons for discontinuing were conflict with staff; moving prisons; voluntary withdrawal; being found with drug paraphernalia; returning positive urinalysis for illicit drug use and being removed from the program. 
• Contact with people newly entering prison, who had recently been using drugs was suggested to create a difficult social environment in which to abstain from drug use.
• Both groups discussed the difficulties in maintaining abstinence when surrounded by friends and associates who were still using.
• The men discussed strategies of avoiding old social networks in the community, by developing new and more positive networks, which would help them avoid drug and alcohol use.
• Most of the participants who left the program did not describe specific actions to avoid drug use, had limited consideration of social pressure, and where they did describe strategies, they were vague with a focus on self-will.
• A common problem discussed by both groups was the difficulties of having large amounts of free time which would lead to boredom, particularly if unemployed. 
• Participants who completed the drug and alcohol program, unlike those who discontinued, appeared to have more insight into their criminal behaviour and the circumstances within which it arises.
• Men who completed the drug and alcohol program also developed an understanding of the emotional triggers contributing to offending.

Conclusion

The men who remained in the drug and alcohol program appeared to have a greater understanding of how to avoid drug and alcohol use within and outside of the prison environment. They displayed more complex planning to avoid drug and alcohol use in the community and a more considered understanding of their offending behaviour than those who discontinued the program.