Prison treatments get partial roll-out

A service for drug-misusing prisoners combining clinical treatment with social and psychological support will not be rolled out in all prisons this year because of a lack of funding.

John Boyington, director of health and offender partnerships at the National Offender Management Service, said improved clinical treatment services would be put in place in 45 prisons in England and Wales, but only 17 would offer additional enhanced social and psychological support services during 2006-7.

In a letter last week to prison and health officials Boyington said he hoped the scheme could be expanded in the next financial year.

The news was followed by a report by probation chief inspector Andrew Bridges showing that while there had been improvements in drug treatment for offenders, there was a “continuing scarcity” of treatment for those misusing alcohol.

Home Office figures reveal the prison population in England and Wales could rise from 78,000 to more than 100,000 within seven years.

Further information
Probation report