Research and analysis

An evaluation of a brief intervention to reduce substance use amongst men at HMP Holme House

This research reports the findings from a trial that aimed to improve message acceptance to the risks of using substances, reduce substance use, increase engagement in drug treatment and improve prison behaviour.

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This study was a randomised control trial involving 200 men during their induction at a prison. The findings indicate that a brief intervention was not effective in increasing the degree to which participants accepted a drugs health message or in influencing behaviour change, engagement with drug services or the number of proven instances of prison rule breaking over a 3-month follow up.

Further research is needed to help understand how information about the risks of substance misuse is best received and acted upon by people in prisons.

Published 30 March 2023