Launch of drug-addiction report - Limerick prison
- 24 September 2009

A report on counselling and prison-based addiction treatment in Limerick prison was today launched by Bedford Row Family Project, based in Limerick.

The research was carried out in Limerick Prison by a team of researchers from Dublin City University's School of Nursing, in collaboration with The Irish Prison Service, the Health Service Employers (Mid-Western Region) and the Bedford Row Family Project.

The report states that more than 50% of prison populations across Europe have a history of drug use prior to entering prison, indicating that there is a real need to address drug use in society before, during and after imprisonment.

In the context of Limerick prison, there is no systematic coordinated assessment of individual's drug use or treatment needs on entering prison. This hinders the provision of effective treatment programmes for prisoners. Access to treatment in prison was sporadic, as evidenced by a lack of a coordinated approach to the provision of counselling services for drug users. Consequently, prisoners and prison staff found it difficult to identify the services that were available.

The report also highlights the lack of a coordinated approach between release from prison and engagement with addiction services.

At the time of conducting the research, there was no evidence of matching prisoners to appropriate psychotherapy interventions. As a result, prisoners who were able to access counselling showed a lack of faith in the quality of service being provided. Prisoners also felt there was no incentive to stop using drugs while in prison.

Gerry Moore of the DCU research team said, "It is important to bear in mind that there is a growing trend in the consumption of drugs in the general population. In the case of prisoners, drug addiction is a problem before they enter prison. The Prison Health Care Service and agencies involved in the welfare of prisoners are keen to see the introduction of addiction treatments and services to improve the quality of life of the prisoners and of their families".

According to Jim Sheehan, Chairperson of the Bedford Row Family Project, "It is disturbing in the picture it presents of the depth and gravity of the drug problem within Limerick Prison and of the sense of despair this can and has generated within the prison community as a whole. It is hopeful in that its findings point to a range of very concrete steps that need to be taken if any model of counselling offered within prison-based addiction treatment is to have a chance of proving effective.

ENDS

Notes to editors on the Bedford Row Family Project

Bedford Row Family Project has, since 1999, supported families who have a family member in prison and/or ex-prisoners themselves. See www.bedfordrow.ie for further information. Very often persons who end up in prison begin misusing drugs at a young age. This may follow a pattern of alcohol and drug misuse within the family going back some generations. As all people involved in rehabilitation know, this misuse is often denied. In families afflicted by addiction, relationships often are strained, a lot of tension exists, and the frequency of accidents, mishaps, traumas, and even tragedies can be higher than the norm. For those most seriously affected, children's school attendance is disrupted, domestic violence is more likely, and the possibility of teenagers getting involved in alcohol and drug misuse at a young age can be high.

It is evident on the reading of this research how much pain and distress addiction causes in a family, how difficult it is to address it effectively, and how the courage and tenacity of responsible members of families needs to be supported by those who work in the field. The dynamics of family relationships, the 'pressure' from the addict, what is seen as unreasonable behaviour, the struggle to cope financially, (and all that that brings with it), do not suddenly get better when the addict goes to prison.

Since this Research began in 2005, new measures have been put in place within Limerick Prison to address the serious drug problem. There are no perfect solutions but those that are put in place are implemented in good faith against a backdrop of a difficult situation. In addition to the preventative measures (when entering the prison), addiction counselling is offered as well as a wide and varied educational programme all of which contribute to prisoners' long term wellbeing.

This Research points the way forward for provision of further addiction counselling and related supports within the prison. At a time when Government finances are strained, it is acknowledged that considerable funding would be needed to implement all the recommendations in the report. However, Bedford Row strongly believes that allocation of funds to undertake such work should be seen as an investment, not a drain on our resources. The long term savings to be gained to the exchequer by comprehensively tackling the drug problem in our prisons in a holistic, inclusive way would be considerable. It would have a positive affect not only within the prison, but also in the communities most affected by drug/alcohol misuse and crime.

Bedford Row is committed to working in partnership with the Irish Prison Service and Health Service Executive to support any initiatives towards the resolution of this most distressing problem.