Drug and prison to rehabilitation information: FOI release

Information requested

1. How many people since 2022 from custody/prison to rehab have completed the 12 weeks programme?

2. How many of those people since 2022 from custody/prison to rehab completed the 12 weeks and are no longer using drugs?

3. How many people from prison to rehab reoffended within the 12 weeks and were returned to prison?

4. How many people have entered this 12-week prison to rehabilitation programme more than once?

5. The protocol states "...individuals accessing the protocol will demonstrate a high and deeprooted motivation to abstinent recovery within the prison setting. Individuals should be actively involved with prison recovery initiatives". What evidence is required to meet the "high and deeprooted motivation?

6. What assessment for and treatment of hypermobility and neurodivergence, specifically ADHD is offered to those imprisoned and engaged in substance abuse?

7. What screening and support is in place for offenders who may live with ADHD prior to being placed in rehabilitation?

8. What demand for residential rehabilitation beds in South Ayrshire has been established between Scot Gov and South Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership/Ayrshire Drugs Partnership?

Response

The Scottish Government provides funding for people to access the Prison to Rehab pathway and so we track the number of people who benefit from that funding. The tracking data covers the treatment start date and end date. However, the Scottish Government does not track people beyond the residential component of their treatment and has no role in clinical decision making. Public Health Scotland publishes a core minimum data set annually, with their most recent publication being on the 28 October 2025 Evaluation of the Scottish Government Residential Rehabilitation programme. The figures in their report include Prison to Rehab Placements.

In response to your first question (above), the Scottish Government maintains records of all grants approved through the Prison to Rehab pathway. Based on these records, we estimate that since 2022, 48 people have completed a treatment programme lasting at least 12 weeks.

In response to your second question (above), this is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information that you have requested. However, the Residential Rehabilitation providers themselves may be best placed to answer this, as people are supported by the providers or referral services as part of aftercare. The provider details are listed in the Prison to Rehab Protocol.

In response to your third question (above), this is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested. However, the Residential Rehabilitation providers themselves may have information on that. Their details are listed in the Prison to Rehab Protocol.

In response to your fourth question (above), from the information the Scottish Government holds on treatment starts we estimate that around 9 people have entered the Prison to Rehab pathway more than once. Because of GDPR restrictions the records we collect do not include the names of people benefiting from the funding.

In response to your fifth question (above), this is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested. This is because the Scottish Government does not provide clinical guidance to prison healthcare teams. However, I can confirm that health care services in prisons are provided by the respective local Health Boards. You may wish to submit a request directly to a specific Health Board Freedom of Information (FOI) | NHS inform to enquire about this information.

In response to your sixth question (above), this is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested. However, I can confirm that health care services in prisons are now provided by the respective local Health Boards. You may wish to submit a request directly to a specific Health Board Freedom of Information (FOI) | NHS inform to enquire about this information.

In response to your seventh question (above), this is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested. However, I can confirm that health care services in prisons are now provided by the respective local Health Boards. You may wish to submit a request directly to a specific health board Freedom of Information (FOI) | NHS inform to enquire about this information.

In response to your eighth question (above), this is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested. Scottish Government plays no part in determining where residential rehabilitation services are set up, partly because services are available to access from people living anywhere in Scotland. Many people choose a service far away from their homes and local communities. Any application to open a service must go through the local planning authority, which is responsible for granting planning permission. Additionally, the service must be regulated by either the Care Inspectorate or Healthcare Improvement Scotland, both of whom will also be involved in the decision-making process.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.