The impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on drug service provision in European prisons

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to describe the impact of the COVID-19 containment measures on the provision of drug treatment and harm reduction services in European prisons in15 countries during the early phase of the pandemic (March –June 2020). Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on a mixed method research approach that triangulates different data sources, including the results of an on-line survey, the outcome of a focus group and four national case studies. Findings The emergence of COVID-19 led to a disruption in prison drug markets and resulted in a number of challenges for the drug services provision inside prison. Challenges for health services included the need to maintain the provision of drug-related interventions inside prison, while introducing a range of COVID-19 containment measures. To reduce contacts between people, many countries introduced measures for early release, resulted in around a 10% reduction of the prison population in Europe. Concerns were expressed around reduction of drug-related interventions, including group activities, services by external agencies, interventions in preparation for release and continuity of care. Practical implications Innovations aimed at improving drug service provision included telemedicine, better partnership between security and health staff and an approach to drug treatment more individualised. Future developments must be closely monitored. Originality/value The paper provides a unique and timely overview of the main issues, challenges and initial adaptations implemented for drug services in European prisons in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the psychosocial rehabilitation of forensic psychiatric patients in Austria

“…According to human rights organizations, the pandemic aggravated the situation of detained persons due to excessive confinement and quarantine ( Amnesty International, 2021 ; Harm Reduction International, 2023 ). On the grounds that more restrictive conditions of detention reduce the risk for transmission of SARS-CoV-2, numerous European penal authorities suspended external service providers and psychological group counseling ( Kennedy et al, 2021 ; Montanari et al, 2021 ; Puzzo, Aldridge-Waddon, Stokes, Rainbird, & Kumari, 2022 ). In line with these reports, our study highlights the substantial impact of COVID-19 on forensic care in terms of rehabilitative activities and visitations in Austria.…”

The health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on adults who experience imprisonment globally: A mixed methods systematic review

“…Several US studies reported the proportion of cases that died: 0.5% (3/568) in New York City jails from March to April 2020 [59], 1.1% (7/628) in a jail in Illinois from March to April 2020 [50], 0.6% (7/1,240) in prisons and jails in Connecticut from March to June 2020 [60], ranging from 0% to 0.9% based on surveillance data for prison systems from March to July 2020 [38], 0.5% in state prisons in California from March to October 2020 [32], 0% of 382 cases in Idaho, USA between July and November 2020 [47], and 0.7% in a Utah outbreak from September 2020 to January 2021 [55]. A European study reported 0 deaths of 26 cases (0%) in Belgium between March and June 2020, 1 death of 119 cases (0.8%) in France by mid-May 2020, and 4 deaths in 315 cases (1.3%) in Italy between March 9 th and May 4 th , 2020 [67]. In Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia, Canada, the case fatality ratio in federal prisons was higher than that of the general population between March and May 2020: 0.5% compared with 0.3% [43].…”

“…There has even been a suicide in [name of prison]." 67 Many incarcerated individuals described how isolation exacerbated depression, anxiety, thoughts of self-harm, and suicidal ideation [78,81].…”

COVID-19 and Prisons in Spain: is there any good news?

“…The level of coordination and joint commitment of the health and prison authorities was outstanding, while the inmates themselves played an equally important role in the measures for prevention and control of transmission and vaccination. One notable example is the major reduction in the prison population and the releases that took place to avoid transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in the early days of the pandemic and lockdown 5 .…”