Purpose
Drug Treatment Units aim to reduce an offender’s risk of re-offending by:
- Treating alcohol and/or other drug addictions.
- Delivering a treatment programme within a therapeutic community in a custodial environment.
Eligibility
To be admitted to a Drug Treatment Unit, prisoners must:
- Be assessed as alcohol and/or drug dependent.
- Be able to complete a six-month programme before release.
- Be assessed to have a high risk of re-offending or re-conviction.
- Acknowledge and accept the need to do something about it.
- Have sufficient intellectual capacity and English language ability to allow participation in a group situation.
Prisoner obligations
While in the DTU prisoners must:
- Adhere to the contract they signed upon entry into the Unit - including a stipulation to be drug and alcohol free.
- Complete the required number of programme hours.
- Agree to attend other activities and work education programmes when not particpating in the DTU programme.
- Submit to drug tests when required.
Drug Treatment Unit features
- Drug Treatment Units have been established in Waikeria, Christchurch Men’s and Arohata Prisons.
- The 24-week programme includes behavioural therapy, education on addiction and change, building new skills, group therapy and one-to-one therapy.
- Research has shown that reconviction rates for those who have been through a Drug Treatment Unit are 13 percent lower over a 24-month period than those “untreated” offenders.
