Pubdate: Thu, 22 Nov 2007
Source: Telegraph and Argus (UK)
Copyright: 2007 Newsquest Media Group, A Gannett Company
Contact:  http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4627
Note: Please specify Telegraph and Argus as source
Author: Anika Bourley

ONE IN FIVE CONVICTS ADDICTED TO DRUGS

One Fifth Of Convicts Become Hooked On Drugs While Behind Bars, The 
Telegraph & Argus Can Reveal.

The Home Office has been forced to admit the shocking numbers - an 
estimated 15,000 based on 75,000 of the prison population being male - 
after questioning from Shipley's MP.

Home Office minister David Hanson said research suggests nationally one in 
five men - and fewer than one in ten women - who had used at least one of 
six drugs (cannabis, heroin, illicit metha-done, amphetamine, crack and 
cocaine) reported first using one of them in prison.

Shipley MP Philip Davies said it was "breathtaking" so many people could 
develop the habit in prison.

He said: "It should be the one place where this does not happen, where 
people are being watched. The Government should hang their head in shame so 
many people are becoming addicted."

Mr Hanson defended the figures and in a parliamentary written answer to Mr 
Davies added: "Research also shows the level of drug misuse falls 
dramatically compared with use prior to imprisonment and that prison is one 
of the key influences in getting people off drugs.

"Overall, prison contributes to a reduction in drug misuse for the majority 
of prisoners."

Work is under way in the district to encourage closer working between 
Bradford and Airedale PCT, Criminal Justice representatives and other 
partners to offer the support to people coming in and out of prison who 
have drug problems.

Liz Barrett, of Bradford and Airedale's substance misuse unit, said it was 
vital prisoners who were physically dependent on drugs received the correct 
treatment on release to ensure they did not get hooked again.

She said: "This is new work and talks have started. We are looking for 
personalised health care when people come out of prison which leads to 
safer communities.

"We want better data when people are coming out of prison, like a patient 
would have that had been in hospital. It is about joining services 
together. In prison there is a captive audience and people can be helped 
but they also need help when coming back into the community.

"There may also be people needing help when going into prison. We are 
starting to do some really positive work."

In June the T&A revealed junkie convicts made more than UKP130,000 in 
payouts for being forced to go cold turkey.

According to figures released under the Freedom of Information Act, last 
year there were 36 claims totalling UKP137,056 made to heroin addicts at 
Leeds Prison whose treatment was withdrawn or cut short while they were 
behind bars.
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