Drinking, violence, and prisoners’ health

Abstract

There is abundant evidence that excessive alcohol use can adversely affect physical and mental health. Prior to incarceration, heavy drinking is common among prisoners. In this study, AUDIT information was examined in a sample of 126 male prisoners. Hazardous drinking was identified in 81%, and half had severe alcohol problems. Perpetrators of alcohol‐related violence are the most problematic drinkers of all. Examination of lifetime alcohol‐related violence indicated that those who are violent when intoxicated had more frequently been the cause of concern to others. These results are discussed in relation to alcohol treatments in the Prison Service for England and Wales.

Citation

McMurran, M. (2005), "Drinking, violence, and prisoners’ health", International Journal of Prisoner Health, Vol. 1 No. 1, pp. 25-29. https://doi.org/10.1080/17449200500156947