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Perspectives of prisoners on alcohol and other drug group treatment approaches

Michael Francis Doyle (NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Indigenous Health and Alcohol, Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia)
Megan Williams (National Centre for Cultural Competence and Sydney Institute of Criminology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia)
Tony Butler (School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia)
Anthony Shakeshaft (NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Indigenous Health and Alcohol, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia)
Katherine Conigrave (NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Indigenous Health and Alcohol, Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia, and Drug Health Services, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, Australia)
Jill Guthrie (National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia)

International Journal of Prisoner Health

ISSN: 1744-9200

Article publication date: 6 August 2021

Issue publication date: 25 January 2022

414

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to describe what a sample of men in prison believe works well for the delivery of prison-based group alcohol and other drug (AoD) treatment programs. The authors hope the findings will help inform future practise in AoD program delivery in prison.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative research paper reporting on a thematic analysis of in-depth interviews with 30 male prisoners on their perspectives on AoD group treatment approaches.

Findings

Results indicate that matching readiness and motivation to start treatment is important for group success. Program content must be relevant and delivered by empathic facilitators who maintain confidentiality. It would be advantageous if one of the program facilitators was a peer with personal experience of overcoming an AoD use disorder.

Originality/value

According to the authors’ knowledge, this is one of few qualitative studies into the delivery of AoD treatment for men in prison and the only study of its kind in Australia. The consumer perspective is an important element in improving quality of treatment provision.

Keywords

Citation

Doyle, M.F., Williams, M., Butler, T., Shakeshaft, A., Conigrave, K. and Guthrie, J. (2022), "Perspectives of prisoners on alcohol and other drug group treatment approaches", International Journal of Prisoner Health, Vol. 18 No. 1, pp. 55-65. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPH-05-2021-0043

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited

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