On Wednesday 19 April, SHAAP hosted “Alcohol (in)justice”, a symposium about those with alcohol problems in the justice system.
The prevalence of alcohol problems in those who come into the criminal justice system is known to be high. Many of those in the justice system come from the most disadvantaged backgrounds where alcohol harm is highest. For some individuals, their alcohol problem is linked to their offending behaviour (e.g. violent crime/drink driving) whist for others, it is not. Contact with the justice system provides the opportunity to detect, intervene or signpost individuals into alcohol treatment services. This can not only reduce alcohol harm but could also reduce health inequalities and potentially reduce re-offending.
In order to address the issue of people with alcohol problems in the Scottish criminal justice system, the symposium aimed to raise awareness; act as a knowledge exchange; bring together key stakeholders and identify barriers and opportunities. Attendees were encouraged to ask questions and make a pledge at the end of the day about something they will take forward to ensure that progress is made to better support those with alcohol problems in the justice system.
The speaker schedule was designed to reflect the journey through the criminal justice system. Within each section of the journey, one speaker addressed the issue of alcohol in justice from a health perspective while the other speaker discussed the matter from the viewpoint of the justice system. The event was chaired by SHAAP Director Elinor Jayne.
Introduction
- Lesley Graham, Steering Group Member, SHAAP
- Lisa Millar, Speaking from experience
Police Contact
- Hilary Sloan, T/Chief Superintendent, Police Scotland
- Hannah Cornish, Senior Programme Manager, National Police Care Network, National Prison Care Network. Sexual Assault Response Coordination Services – Network , National Services Division (NSD)
Courts and Sentencing
- Sheriff Iain Fleming, Sheriff, Alcohol Court Glasgow
- Karyn McCluskey, Chief Executive, Community Justice Scotland
Prison
- Andy Perkins, Director of Figure 8 Consultancy Services Ltd and Lead Researcher for Understanding Substance Use and the Wider Support Needs of Scotland’s Prison Population
- Sharon Holloway, Drug & Alcohol Strategy Lead, Scottish Prison Service
- Dr Craig Sayers, Clinical Lead/Professional Ambassador, National Prison Care Network, NHS National Services Scotland
Panel
- Rod Anderson, Chief Recovery Officer, Recovery Coaching Scotland
- Lisa Millar, Prison and Healthcare Recovery Officer, Scottish Recovery Consortium
- Wendy Sinclair-Gieben, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland
- Lynsey Smith, Chair of the justice committee, Social Work Scotland
An event report will be made available in the coming weeks.