Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health

Treating alcohol problems in prisoners – everybody wins

More than 50% of Indigenous people in Queensland prisons need treatment for alcohol-related problems.

A study published in the August issue of the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health suggests that this treatment should continue after prisoners return to the community.

Associate Professor Stuart Kinner from the University of Melbourne led the team, who studied alcohol dependence among adult prisoners in Queensland.

“We estimate that more than half of Indigenous prisoners in Queensland were drinking in a high-risk way before entering prison,” Dr Kinner said.

“Among Indigenous prisoners, alcohol dependence was more common among those with an income below the poverty line – which was about half of those we assessed.

“The risk factors for alcohol dependence were different for Indigenous and non-Indigenous prisoners, which suggests that different treatment approaches may be required.

 “Our findings are also consistent with suggestions of a link between risky alcohol consumption and offending behaviour, particularly among Indigenous Australians.

“Any intervention that effectively addresses alcohol-related problems among Indigenous prisoners will also benefit the communities to which these individuals return.”