Minister launches new Alcohol Strategy - 17 Dec 04

The new Prison Service Alcohol Strategy for prisoners has been launched by Prisons Minister Paul Goggins.

The new Prison Service Alcohol Strategy for prisoners has been launched by Prisons Minister Paul Goggins.

The new Strategy will focus on improving the consistency of alcohol treatment measures across the prison estate and build on existing good practice by providing a framework for addressing prisoners' alcohol problems.

This framework will balance education, treatment and support with supply reduction measures, and provide prisons with a benchmark to measure their own performance on alcohol misuse at a local level.

A recent study conducted by the Office for National Statistics revealed that 63% of sentenced males and 39% of sentenced females were classed as hazardous drinkers in the year before coming into prison.

Prisons Minister Paul Goggins said:

"Alcohol is a problem for a significant number of those entering custody, and prisons can play an important part in the Government's Strategy to reduce the impact of alcohol misuse. There are already a range of initiatives available in prisons to target those with an alcohol problem. This includes detoxification on reception in all local and remand prisons. A great deal is already being achieved.

"But we can do more, and I am confident that the launch of the Prisons Alcohol Strategy will provide the Prison Service with a more consistent and co-ordinated approach for dealing with the harm associated with the misuse of alcohol."

This new Strategy, which has been based on extensive consultation with key stakeholders and experts such as Alcohol Concern, coincides with the launch of the second phase of the Alcohol Misuse Enforcement Campaign, which will run from 17 December until 3 January.