“Substance Misuse within the prison system is a pandemic and that isn’t a word I use lightly post-2020…
“Substance Misuse within the prison system is a pandemic and that isn’t a word I use lightly post-2020…
Being in recovery, or looking to achieve it, within those locked gates and beyond to the open landscape of rehabilitation is no easy feat. It is, however, an essential need for those on either side of the walls.
Over 50% of the prison population in England and Wales are in drug and alcohol treatment (McMillan et al 2019). When you combine this with the statistic that over 4/5 of offenders have a history of AT LEAST one Traumatic Brain Injury (Schofield et al 2016), it is clear to see that there is a clear correlation between offenders with a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) and a history of substance misuse.
Those with a TBI are 3 x more likely to be incarcerated than those who had not sustained a TBI (Kathryn E McIsaac et al 2016) – regardless of how often I quote these figures, it still feels shocking to me.
To be able to best support our clients we need to ask the difficult questions, particularly clients who are actively engaging in risky behaviours:
• What came first, the behaviour or your Brain Injury?
• Did your Substance Misuse precede the TBI?
• Were you under the influence at the time of your offence?
• Were you under the influence when you sustained your injury?
• Did you start engaging in risky behaviours following your injury, and how have things changed for you as a result?
Only when we are clear on the chain of events, can we look to break the chain down and progress forward.
These questions are not always clear cut and often can co-exist and manifest into something more; particularly when supporting clients within the prison system, the catalyst of events can become blurry, and often missed completely.
Substance Misuse within the prison system is a pandemic - but it doesn’t have to be a life sentence…”
Cat Wilkinson, Registered Case Manager: Cat worked as an Advanced Substance Misuse Practitioner specialising in Brain Injury within the Prison system prior to her role as a Case Manager.
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