Alcohol and drug treatments in Australian correctional services

Abstract

A comprehensive literature review on the subject of drug and alcohol treatments in correctional services reveals the size of the drug and alcohol problem within the prison population and reconfirms the positive correlation between drugs, alcohol and criminal activity. Disturbingly few comprehensive ongoing assessment and treatment services are available for the prison population. Special drug and alcohol-related issues such as HIV and hepatitis B infection, and high drug-related post-release prisoner mortality rates demand an urgent review of the policies and procedures concerning the assessment and treatment of drug and alcohol problems in correctional facilities.

Letter to the Editor

“…SIR--The article by Bruce Westmore and Garry Walter, "Alcohol and drug treatments in Australian correctional services" [1] published in a recent issue of the Drug and Alcohol Review gives a misleading picture of the availability of D&A Services to inmates in Australia. While I realize the authors presented a literature review rather than an analysis of drug and alcohol treatment services for inmates, there were nevertheless significant omissions to their review which would have provided a more complete picture of services available to inmates.…”