Exploring substance misuse in a prison in Wales: a cross-sectional analysis

Area of Science:

• Criminology
• Public Health
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Drug-related deaths are higher in prison populations compared to the general population.
• Opiates and psychoactive substances are frequently cited on death certificates in correctional facilities.
• Identifying individuals who continue drug use within prison is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify characteristics of individuals who continue to use drugs while incarcerated.
• To explore the types of substances commonly used by prisoners.
• To inform harm reduction strategies within the prison environment.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective cross-sectional analysis of 299 male inmates in a UK prison.
• Data collected on substance use history, mental wellbeing, and duration of incarceration.
• Binary logistic regression used to analyze associations between characteristics and in-prison drug use.

Main Results:

• 65% of participants reported prior drug use; 16% reported drug use in prison.
• Younger age (≤39 years), low mental wellbeing, and longer time in prison (>2.5 years) were associated with continued drug use.
• Methadone, spice, and cannabis were among the substances used by individuals in prison.

Conclusions:

• Younger inmates with poor mental health and extended sentences are at higher risk for continued drug use.
• Harm reduction strategies tailored to these characteristics may decrease drug-related mortality in prisons.
• Findings are from a single site and may not represent the broader UK prison population.