Archived decisions

I am responding on behalf of Hampshire Probation Area:

The association between the effects of alcohol and crime are well known with certain categories of crime associated with excessive drinking in up to 60% of cases. Hampshire Probation Area (HPA) has traditionally partnered with the voluntary sector to provide services for alcohol dependent offenders through funding localised partnerships and working closely with the voluntary sector to access treatment and  housing. In january of this year we commissioned a county wide service specifically focussing on the Alcohol treatment requirement of the community order. This is the first funded service of its kind amongst the SE region probation areas that I am aware of. HPA contracted with CRI following a competitive tendering process for a three year period. The service provides assessment under models of care, a brief interventions service and triage to tier three and four services (some of which are run by CRi themselves). The take up by Probation Officers, who assess for drink dependency under the offender assessment system, and the criminal courts has been substantial, with over 400 ATR's made since January 2007, 77 were made in August. CRi operate within Probation offices throughout Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. This demonstrates a clear need for treatment services within criminal justice and is currently being funded by the probation service in hampshire, rather than the health service or drug action teams, where this might more logically sit.

I can provide more information on assessment refferals and outcomes if this would be helpful. Clearly sustaining and treating offenders on an ATR is likely to reduce offending. I should emphasise this is only available for offenders who have been assessed as having a dependent drink problem, and whose offending behaviour is so serious as to warrant a community order.
I also sit as a member of the Hampshire strategic DAT and it is evident that although the DAT can only directly fund treatment services for drug misuse a significant number of offenders misuse both drugs and alcohol and there is a need for greater flexibility in the commissioning of treatment services.
Access to accomodation and support is critical to reduced offending and drink dependency. We work closely with supporting people to access provision but often socially excluded groups are the most difficult to accomodate in our communities. The voluntary sector, through hostel provision, and move on provide a crucial role in providing shelter for many offenders with dependent drink problems. There is a link with excessive drinking over time and mental health issues. There is little doubt that many offenders who are sent to prison should be receiving treatment for mental health within the health sector rather than in prison.

Chris Mitchell

Director Interventions