A high proportion of prisoners have a life-long history of drug dependency and a significant amount of crime is committed by offenders who are affected by drugs or alcohol on the day of the offence.
Drug use is also a major security problem in prison and causes problems for the effective management and rehabilitation of prisoners. It can also result in health problems for both individual prisoners and the wider community, and promote the transmission of communicable diseases.
The Department of Corrections' commitment to markedly reduce drug and alcohol use in prisons is evident in the raft of measures it has put in place to reduce the supply of and demand for drugs, as well as initiatives to reduce the harm caused by drug use.
Corrections released its latest strategy to reduce drug and alcohol use in New Zealand prisons in July 2009.
Corrections is often confronted by prisoners who are determined to use drugs, and their associates who are determined to supply them with these drugs. In response, Corrections maintains a strong focus on preventing prisoners' access to drugs and other contraband through rigorous search methods within, and at the point of entry to, prisons and court cells. Visitors, staff, contractors working on site and suppliers can all be subject to searches.
Drug detection dog teams are regularly used at visitor check points and for random searches of prison buildings and land. Prisoners are also randomly drug tested. Generally, prisoners or visitors found in possession of drugs are referred to the Police. Prisoners found in possession of drugs or who test positive for drugs are likely to face internal disciplinary charges.
Corrections is constantly reviewing and improving security measures, such as building perimeter fences around prisons and installing closed circuit television cameras in visiting areas.
A free 0800 number (0800 555 111) has been set up to enable members of the public or prisoners to anonymously provide information about any criminal activity they are aware of.
Prisoners who enter special units such as youth units, self-care units and Maori focus units, as well as specialised alcohol and drug treatment units, are required to sign an agreement to remain drug-free. They are subject to random drug testing and are supported to stay drug-free.
There are also a number of drug-free units in the general prison system.
Assessment of drug problems at the time an offender goes to prison is an important part of Corrections' drug reduction strategy. A prisoner's case management plan will identify any alcohol and drug abuse, and plans will be developed to help the prisoner address the substance abuse.
Specialist alcohol and drug treatment prison units operate at Arohata and Waikeria Prisons. The units are run in partnership with the CareNZ . These programmes are full-time and designed to address alcohol and drug addictions, addictive behaviours and related offending patterns.
A 100-hour substance abuse programme is also available for prisoners where alcohol and drug use is identified as contributing to their offending.
Corrections' alcohol and drug treatment programmes are based around psychological principles that have been effective internationally in reducing re-offending rates and:
Corrections is developing harm minimisation initiatives as part of a broader programme aimed at preventing the spread of communicable diseases among prisoners. The programme recognises that, while it isn't possible to completely eliminate high risk behaviours, it is important to minimise the personal, social and economic costs associated with those high-risk behaviours. A pilot programme in 2003 demonstrated the effectiveness of this approach.
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