Risky alcohol consumption prior to incarceration: A cross‐sectional study of drinking patterns among Australian prison entrants

Abstract

Introduction and Aims Risky alcohol consumption is linked to poor health and criminal justice outcomes. This study aims to assess the prevalence and correlates of risky drinking in a sample of recently incarcerated Australians. Design and Methods Consecutive cross‐sectional data were collected from prisoners residing in 19 correctional facilities in six Australian states and territories as part of the National Prison Entrants' Bloodborne Virus and Risk Behaviour Survey Report. The sample consisted of 389 prisoners (339 men, 50 women). Risky alcohol consumption was estimated using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test‐Condensed questionnaire, with a cut‐off score of ≥6. Potential correlates of risky alcohol consumption were assessed utilising univariate and multivariate analyses. Results Over one‐third (34.5%) of prisoners who were screened met the criteria for risky alcohol consumption. The five factors found to be independently and positively associated with risky alcohol consumption were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) status, incarceration in prison in the Northern Territory, heavy tobacco use, cannabis use and abstinence from drugs in the 4 weeks prior to incarceration. Additionally, risky alcohol consumption was associated with current or past hepatitis B or hepatitis C infection. Discussion and Conclusions The findings highlight that risky alcohol consumption is common among prisoners across Australia. This is known to be associated with adverse health outcomes and re‐offending, suggesting a need for alcohol interventions targeting prisoners.

A Rapid Systematic Review of Worldwide Alcohol Use Disorders and Brief Alcohol Interventions in the Criminal Justice System

“…In total, 39 studies from 34 papers were included, as presented in Table 1 . The majority of papers were from the UK ( 4 , 11 , 21 , 23 , 24 , 26 – 32 , 34 – 37 , 39 , 41 – 43 , 47 – 49 , 54 ), two from Sweden ( 25 , 44 ) and one each from Australia ( 51 ), Brazil ( 45 ), Ethiopia ( 52 ), France ( 40 ), Holland ( 38 ), Norway ( 50 ), Ukraine ( 46 ) and the USA ( 53 ).…”

Systematic Review of Hepatitis C Virus Prevalence in the WHO Western Pacific Region

“…Very few studies reported HCV prevalence estimates among prisoners/detainees (one study in Australia) or Indigenous people (two studies in China). In Australia, one in four prison entrants were exposed to HCV, likely due to overlapping risk factors [ 18 ]. In China, Li and Yi ethnic minorities appear to have a higher prevalence of HCV (7.0% exposed and 2.7% with active infection respectively) compared to the general population (0.7% exposed).…”

“…Refs. [ 10 , 11 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , …”

“…HCV antibody prevalence estimates among the general population or one of the proxy populations were available for 11 countries and territories. The median aggregate quality score of the 31 studies was 19 (range [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24]. Estimates for HCV antibody prevalence among the general population were typically low at ≤1.0%, with the highest prevalence observed in Mongolia (13.6%, Figure 2).…”

“…Seventeen estimates for HCV antibody prevalence among people who inject drugs were obtained from seven countries and territories. The median aggregate quality score was 17.5 (range [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] and no studies were assessed as poor-quality. HCV antibody prevalence among people who inject drugs ranged from 30% in Cambodia to 76% in the Hong Kong SAR.…”