Expanded drug rehabilitation requirement drug testing: Process evaluation
This report presents the findings of the process evaluation of expanded probation-led drug testing for drug rehabilitation requirements.
Applies to England and Wales
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HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) introduced expanded Drug Rehabilitation Requirement (DRR) drug testing between February and September 2023. This policy enabled probation staff to conduct drug tests for individuals on DRRs, alongside existing testing by treatment providers. This aimed to help track and encourage progress, manage risk, and boost judicial confidence.
A process evaluation was undertaken to understand how expanded DRR drug testing has been implemented in practice, identify barriers and enablers to delivery, and explore how testing is used within supervision. This report presents findings from a mixed-methods study combining analysis of management information and qualitative interviews with probation staff and judges, covering the period from February 2023 to August 2025, to understand early implementation.