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Challenges to the real-world delivery of brief alcohol interventions in the custody suite: qualitative study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 August 2024

Manuela Jarrett*
Affiliation:
University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
Thomas Mills
Affiliation:
London South Bank University, London, UK
Jaimee Mallion
Affiliation:
London South Bank University, London, UK National Children's Bureau, London, UK
Susie Sykes
Affiliation:
London South Bank University, London, UK
Jane Wills
Affiliation:
London South Bank University, London, UK
Eddie Chaplin
Affiliation:
London South Bank University, London, UK
*
Correspondence to Manuela Jarrett (m.jarrett@bham.ac.uk)
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Abstract

Aims and method

The aim was to evaluate an innovative pathway in police custody suites that aimed to specifically address alcohol-related health needs through screening and brief interventions by police custody staff. This paper presents a qualitative investigation of challenges involved in implementing the pathway. Qualitative interviews were carried out with 22 staff involved with commissioning and delivering the pathway; thematic analysis of interview data was then undertaken.

Results

An overarching theme highlights the challenges and uncertainties of delivering brief alcohol interventions in the custody suite. These include challenges related to the setting, the confidence and competence of the staff, identifying for whom a brief intervention would be of benefit and the nature of the brief intervention.

Clinical implications

Our findings show that there is a lack of clarity over how alcohol-related offending can be identified in police custody, whose role it is to do that and how to intervene.

Information

Type
Original Papers
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution and reproduction, provided the original article is properly cited.
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Royal College of Psychiatrists
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