Preliminary research informing policy on remote alcohol monitoring in criminal justice : the Scottish experience
Date
11/2016Keywords
Metadata
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Abstract
Objectives. To explore the views of Scottish offenders on the impact of alcohol on their experience of offending and their lives in general. Further, to explore their views on the concept of Remote Alcohol Monitoring (RAM) as a way to address alcohol misuse upon liberation from prison. Methods. A convenience sample of 12 serving offenders participated in one of three focus groups.Data were analysed using the principles of thematic analysis. Results. Analysis of the data revealed the significant impact of alcohol on the lives of the participants. Key themes included the amount and frequency of alcohol consumption; the association of alcohol with harm; the association of alcohol with offending; previous attempts to reduce alcohol consumption and possible reasons for failure; and the views of the participants on the utility of RAM in relation to crime prevention. Conclusions. This group of offenders had significant issues with alcohol misuse prior to incarceration that had impacted on their offending and resulted in a variety of health and social harms. Participants were generally positive but pragmatic about RAM, recognising that technology alone may not be enough to change deeply ingrained and addictive behaviours.
Citation
Goodall , C A , Neville , F G , Williams , D J & Donnelly , P D 2016 , ' Preliminary research informing policy on remote alcohol monitoring in criminal justice : the Scottish experience ' , International Journal of Public Health , vol. 61 , no. 8 , pp. 865-872 . https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-016-0886-9
Publication
International Journal of Public Health
Status
Peer reviewed
ISSN
1661-8556Type
Journal article
Rights
© 2016, Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+). This work is made available online in accordance with the publisher’s policies. This is the author created, accepted version manuscript following peer review and may differ slightly from the final published version. The final published version of this work is available at link.springer.com / https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00038-016-0886-9
Description
This study was funded in part by a grant from the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit to Peter D Donnelly (no grant number) and partly by a grant from the Scottish School of Public Health to Fergus G Neville (no grant number).Collections
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