Prison to Rehab Protocol

Prison to Rehab Protocol

Overview

This procedure supports individuals who would benefit from accessing abstinence based treatment, to access residential rehabilitation on release from prison. This process has been designed to support individuals who have a history of problematic alcohol and/or drug use.

This procedure should be used by Scottish Prison Service (SPS), NHS Prison Health Care Service and Residential Rehabilitation Providers, Lived Experience Recovery Organisations, with the involvement of the local Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP) area that the individual will be returning to. Annex A, developed in partnership with residential rehabilitation services, sets out the available provision through this pathway and provides further background information on the pathway by the Recovery and Residential Providers Group.

Expectations of Prison Staff

It is expected that staff within prisons are aware of this protocol and identify suitable people as early on as possible during their time in prison. This includes governors, prison officers and prison healthcare staff. Prison staff should contact the ADP the individual will be returning to as soon as they have been identified for the P2R pathway. Any prison-based staff involved in programmes which offer support for those with drug and alcohol conditions should be involved in active preparation with the individual to identify the most suitable residential service from an early a date as possible. Prison healthcare staff will be required to provide background information such as medical history and historic substance use.

Residential Rehabilitation providers are also expected to link in with the relevant ADP to ensure continuity of care for the individual once the residential placement is complete.

Expectations of Rehabilitation Providers

Residential rehabilitation providers will conduct a robust assessment , over the phone or online, of suitability and will take an active role in the individual's preparation by ensuring they are fully informed of what a rehab placement entails.

Residential rehabilitation providers are expected to engage with prospective service users, prison staff and prison healthcare staff and should indicate the suitability of their service at an early stage, redirecting the individual to an alternative service where appropriate.

Residential Rehabilitation providers are also expected to link in with the ADP person is to return to ensure continuity of care for the individual once the residential placement is complete.

Eligibility

This protocol is available to all convicted prisoners within Scottish penal establishments.

It is recognised that it is difficult to progress an application, without a set release date. This is because a date of liberation must be confirmed and agreed between the prison establishment and the rehab provider, to ensure the individual can be transferred directly from prison to their chosen rehab on the day of liberation and that there is a bed available to accommodate their placement upon arrival.

However, individuals should be provided with the support to begin or continue the preparation process before a liberation date is agreed.

Please also note that anyone going out on license can still apply to and be funded in to rehab provided the existing risk assessments are completed, and both the Governor of the local establishment and the supervising social work team are in agreement.

Expectations of individuals

There is an expectation that individuals accessing the protocol will demonstrate motivation to abstinent recovery within the prison setting. Individuals should be actively involved with prison recovery initiatives.

The expected length of time for preparation is at least 12 weeks, and it should be noted that some residential rehabilitation providers operate a waiting list. Interest should be expressed as early as possible to ensure there is sufficient time to complete the assessment process and access the rehab provider of the individual's choosing.

Each residential rehab provider has set out admission criteria and suitability for individuals looking to access the pathway.

Contents of the Protocol

• Detailed process
• Summary flowchart of referral and claims process
• Annex A: Participating residential rehabilitation providers