Bar Chairman Calls For Policy Change: Boost in Drugs Rehabilitation Programmes to Tackle Offending Before it Happens
11 March 2008
Extra resources should be ploughed into prisons' drugs rehabilitation programmes, the Chairman of the Bar said today.
Addressing a Criminal Justice Summit in London, Tim Dutton QC told delegates that resources invested in treating offenders' drugs problems would more than repay themselves.
He said:
'Drug offences have increased, and levels of drug use in prison are shockingly high. Prison culture is dominated by drugs, and the chances are that a drug problem will get worse in prison not better.
'This on its own is a recipe for reoffending, and yet investment in drug treatment programmes is woefully inadequate.
'The sad truth is that money for prisoners' drug problems is perceived as not much of a vote winner.
'That culture must change. Drug rehabilitation must be seen as a positive investment in the future well-being and safety of our communities and families.'
Tim Dutton was speaking at the Guardian Criminal Justice Summit 2008, in London. He concluded by stating:
'The experience of England and Wales indicates that urgent attempts must be made by Government to refocus penal policy into prevention and rehabilitation on a scale hitherto not undertaken.
'The public needs to be educated in the basic facts, namely that increasing use of prison sentences is costly, and of itself prevents reoffending only so long as the offender is locked up. Far greater attempts need to be made within the UK to rehabilitate offenders on release. The signs for the future of the UK, if policy is not refocussed, are worrying.'
