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Preliminary research informing policy perspectives on alcohol monitoring in criminal justice in Scotland
Methods. The utility of alcohol monitoring in criminal justice was explored using a mixed-methods approach. Serving male offenders (n=12) in a Scottish prison took part in focus groups to discuss the role of alcohol in their offending, its effect on their lives and the potential ways in which continuous alcohol monitoring might be used. Further, a pilot randomised controlled trial of continuous alcohol monitoring was undertaken with 20 male offenders on their release from prison.
Results. Serving offenders acknowledged the role alcohol played in their offending although they recognised this could be one of many interacting causal factors. The willingness to wear alcohol monitoring technology on a voluntary basis was discussed, as was the utility of sanctions should conditions be breached. During the trial 11/20 male offenders wore an alcohol monitor on release from prison, their AUDIT scores ranged from 7-40 (mean=28.5, SD=8.99). 18/20 acknowledged alcohol was involved in their current offence. Ten participants wearing an alcohol monitor withdrew within the first week of the study with one participant remaining in the study for a period of 40 days.
Discussion. This study demonstrates the potential utility of continuous transdermal alcohol monitoring technology in criminal justice settings in Scotland. It also highlights issues that merit further study and careful consideration before wide-scale implementation of the technology. The research fed into a consultation process at policy level on the use of this technology in criminal justice.
Learning Areas:
Public health or related public policyPublic health or related research
Learning Objectives:
Discuss the association of alcohol with offending in Scotland
Describe the outcomes of offender focus groups and a small pilot trial of alcohol monitoring technology with offenders on release from prison in Scotland.
Demonstrate the extent to which research was able to influence policy discussions in this field.
Keyword(s): Criminal Justice, Policy/Policy Development
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a senior academic with research interests in alcohol and violence. I have published in both of these areas. I played a leading role in the design, execution and analysis of this study and the policy discussions. I have previous experience with the use of the technology described. Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Study reports the effectiveness and experience of transdermal alcohol monitoring using SCRAMx ankle bracelets manufactured by AMS (www.alcoholmonitoring.com).
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.