Drug use and perceived treatment need among newly sentenced prisoners in England and Wales

To investigate pre-custody levels of drug use among newly sentenced prisoners and factors associated with perceived drug treatment need. A sample of 1457 prisoners was recruited to a general purpose longitudinal survey of convicted prisoners starting a new sentence. Data were collected by structured interviews on reception to prison. Measures were taken of illicit drug use, drug treatment history, current treatment needs, psychological health and a range of social problems. Life-time use of heroin, crack cocaine, cocaine powder, amphetamines or cannabis was reported by 79% of prisoners. Cannabis was the drug reported most commonly, but approximately a third had used heroin or crack cocaine during the year before custody. Nearly half of recent drug users reported wanting help or support with a drug problem during their sentence. Dependence on heroin and cocaine, previous drug treatment, employment, accommodation and psychological health problems were all associated positively with perceived treatment need. The prevalence of pre-custody drug use among this sample of newly sentenced prisoners was high. Because treatment need was associated with a range of drug, health and social factors, assessment and referral to appropriate interventions should occur as soon as possible on reception. Treatment should be coordinated with other services and support.