Conference Proceedings - School of Nursing & Midwifery - Trinity ...

School of Nursing & Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin: 8 th Annual Interdisciplinary Research Conference
Transforming Healthcare Through Research, Education & Technology: 7 th – 9 th November 2007
Conference Proceedings
Opportunity to change in prison
Prisoners do manage to cease drug use while in prison. Prisoners
use far less drugs in prison than in the community, due to reduced
availability (Crowley, 1999). Injecting drugs in prison is less
frequent than in the community, each episode of injecting is far
more risky due to the greater scarcity of injecting equipment and
the higher prevalence of syringe sharing (Dolan and al 2003). The
vast majority of prisoners view time in prison as an opportunity to
address problems associated with substance abuse and health
professionals should not miss this opportunity ((Long et al 2004).
Models of addiction treatment
� Abstinence
� Harm Reduction
Components of an effective treatment programme
� Experienced qualified professional staff
� Flexible arrangements
� Assessment and treatment
� Engagement of concerned persons
� A broad team of heath professionals
� Flexible approaches to treatment
� Encouragement and access to engage in peer support
� Quick and easy access to relapse prevention and aftercare
� Commitment to research, training and development
Findings - Themes
� Drug use in Prison
� Attitudes and beliefs
� Service provision
� Dual diagnosis
� Counselling approaches in Limerick Prison
Attitudes and beliefs
� “If we were shown a different way, you know with training and
facilities, a work programme. Some people will never be
rehabilitated, that’s just the way it is. But you need to invest in
those that are willing to be rehabilitated” (MP).
� It’s very bad, there is nobody worried about the prisoners, to
them like, we’re a bit of scum, you know. It’s like a big game”
(FP).
Service provision
“People coming in and out are labelled counsellors, I don’t know
what they are, I don’t know what they’re saying to people, I’ve
no control or understanding of what’s going on there, I couldn’t
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