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Date: November 22, 2024 Fri
Time: 11:55 am
Time: 11:55 am
Results for prisoners (ireland)
2 results foundAuthor: Drummond, Anne Title: Study on the Prevalence of Drug Use, Including Intravenous Drug Use, and Blood-Borne Viruses among the Irish Prisoner Population Summary: Accurate up-to-date data on the extent of drug use and the prevalence of blood-borne viruses among the prisoner population are a necessary pre-requisite for health and social service planning and policy development. The most recent national study assessing the prevalence of blood-borne viruses, along with self-reported drug use within Irish prisons (Allwright et al., 1999), was carried out over a decade ago. This study was commissioned by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs (NACD) in 2010 with the following objectives: to describe the nature, extent and pattern of consumption for different drugs among the prisoner population; to describe methods of drug use, including intravenous drug use, among the prisoner population; to estimate the prevalence of blood-borne viruses among the prisoner population and to identify associated risk behaviours; and to measure the uptake of individual drug treatment and harm reduction interventions (including hepatitis B vaccination) in prison. Methods An observational cross-sectional study, targeting all prisons and prisoners in Ireland, was carried out in early 2011. Prisoners were selected at random in proportion to the population in each prison. A detailed, validated and piloted self-completion questionnaire was administered to prisoners under the supervision of the research team. Oral fluid samples were taken for assessment of drugs of abuse and blood-borne viruses. Overall 824 prisoners participated, with a final response rate of 49.5%. Results Results reveal lifetime, last year and last month prevalence rates for drug use that greatly exceed those of the general population but which are broadly consistent with findings from prison studies internationally. For example, lifetime cannabis use among all prisoners was 87%, last year use was 69% and last month use was 43%. Likewise, lifetime heroin use was 43%, last year use was 30% and last month use was 11%. Women were significantly more likely to use drugs, including injecting drugs. Despite there being a high prevalence (26%) of ever injecting drugs among prisoners, last month injecting prevalence was low (2%). Prevalence of HIV was 2%. Prevalence rates for hepatitis C (13%) and hepatitis B (0.3%) were lower than expected. By far the most important factors associated with blood-borne viruses in this prison population were ever having used drugs IV and ever having shared IV drug equipment. Older age and having had a tattoo done in prison were associated with hepatitis C. Female prisoners were at greater risk of having hepatitis C and HIV and male-to-male sexual contact was confirmed as a risk factor for HIV. The need for drug treatment and harm reduction services was identified in different prison categories, with a pattern of very high uptake of services when they are available. Summary This study confirms that drug use, including injecting drug use, is a significant problem among prisoners in Ireland and suggests that drug-related factors are important in the acquisition of blood-borne viruses. The findings also show that prisoners who need services, such as the range of addiction services and detoxification, are very willing to use them when they are available. 'In-prison' uptake of testing and vaccination services confirms that prisons are appropriate settings for the provision of preventive, diagnostic and treatment services for drug users. It is hoped that the evidence provided in this study will facilitate service and policy development in this important area. Details: Dublin: National Advisory Committee on Drugs and Alcohol, 2014. 126p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 3, 2014 at: http://www.nacd.ie/images/stories/docs/press/Full-Drug-use-among-Irish-prisoner-population.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Ireland URL: http://www.nacd.ie/images/stories/docs/press/Full-Drug-use-among-Irish-prisoner-population.pdf Shelf Number: 132207 Keywords: Drug Abuse and AddictionDrug OffendersHealth CarePrisoners (Ireland)Substance Abuse Treatment |
Author: Costello, Liza Title: Travellers in the Irish Prison System: A Qualitative Study Summary: Over recent years, the Irish Penal Reform Trust (iprt) has become increasingly aware that very little has been documented about the experiences of Travellers in the Irish prison system, while evidence that has emerged from the UK gives cause for concern. Reports by the Irish Chaplaincy in Britain, the Scotland Equality and Human Rights Commission, the (then) Commission for Racial Equality and others have all revealed a wide range of issues that disproportionately affect Travellers in prison. These include racist abuse from other prisoners and prison officers, discrimination, lack of literacy, high rates of suicide, substance misuse, and often the strength of Traveller family ties not being recognised, leading to isolation, self-harm and even suicide. In 2011, the UN Committee Against Torture's Concluding Observations to Ireland suggested that such issues were not unique to the UK context. In this document, it expressed concern "at reports of allegations by prisoners from the Traveller community in Cork prison that they are consistently subjected to acts of intimidation by other prisoners" and recommended that the State address "the issue of intimidation of the Traveller community and investigat[e] all allegations of such intimidation". The aim of this research is to illuminate the experiences and needs of Travellers in prison. Its objectives are to: - present what is already known regarding Travellers in prison; - analyse the rights of Travellers in prison from an equality and human rights perspective; - conduct primary research into the needs and experiences of Travellers in the Irish prison system; - highlight models of good practice in meeting the needs of minority ethnic groups in prison; and - to make relevant evidence-based recommendations to the Irish Prison Service and other relevant bodies. Details: Dublin: Irish Penal Reform Trust, 2014. 77p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 23, 2014 at; http://www.iprt.ie/files/IPRT_Travellers_Report_web.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Ireland URL: http://www.iprt.ie/files/IPRT_Travellers_Report_web.pdf Shelf Number: 133122 Keywords: DiscriminationEthnic GroupsGypsiesInmatesMinority GroupsPrisoners (Ireland)Prisons |