| Description | An explanation of the rationale behind Arrest Referral, including key principles and key questions to consider in setting up an Arrest Referral Scheme. |
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| ISBN | B24821 3/2002 |
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| Official Print Publication Date | |
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| Website Publication Date | May 17, 2002 |
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EFFECTIVE INTERVENTIONS UNIT
GUIDE TO ARREST REFERRAL: SUMMARY
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Introduction
Arrest Referral schemes to improve uptake of services and reduce offending among drug users are beginning to develop in Scotland. The Effective Interventions Unit has produced an initial practical guide to support the design, development and implementation of Arrest Referral services. The guide sets out key questions to address and identifies the key requirements for an effective Arrest Referral service. Much of the content will apply to Arrest Referral for people with alcohol problems. This summary highlights some of the main points in the guide.
What is Arrest Referral
Arrest Referral is an intervention aimed at people who have been arrested and whose offences may be linked to drug use. It takes place in the police cells or in court premises. The intervention may range from the giving of information to assessment and referral to appropriate services. There are currently 3 main models: information giving, proactive and coercive. Current evidence and opinion support the proactive model which offers advice, assessment and referral by a trained worker. It is voluntary for the arrestee at each stage.
Rationale for Arrest Referral
There is a clear link between substance misuse and offending behaviour. The links are complex but many of those who come into contact with the criminal justice system use illegal drugs.
Research shows that entry and retention in treatment reduces offending. Arrest Referral offers a unique opportunity for a pathway into services from the criminal justice setting. It capitalises on a crisis time in a drug user's career - arrest and/or court appearance - that may act as a catalyst for reflection on the future.
The Guide makes clear that Arrest Referral is not a diversion or community disposal. There is no formal link to the due process of law and the current consensus is that this should continue. However, there may be scope to reach local agreement on how participation in Arrest Referral can be used to inform decisions by the Procurator Fiscal on disposals.
Key issues to address
Needs Assessment: The first step is to decide whether an Arrest Referral service is a useful addition to the local drug strategy. This requires a needs assessment including numbers of drug using offenders, a profile of the problems, range and location of services.
Who should be involved: An effective Arrest Referral service will require partnership between a number of agencies: DATs, police, courts, Health, Social work, drug agencies, other services (housing, benefits, training and employment, debt counselling). The Drug Action Team is well placed to co-ordinate the planning and implementation. Partnership needs to function at all levels to ensure ongoing co-operation. A Strategic Group can agree the common aims and objectives, funding and management arrangements, including management of the workers and monitoring and evaluation arrangements. An Operational Group can work more closely with managers and practitioners to put in place the necessary protocols and agreements
Location: Police cell or court premises. Local circumstances will dictate e.g. access, turnover in cells. Piloting may help the decision.
Role of the Arrest Referral worker: Skills and experience required. Is the role referral only or should there be some element of continued contact? The need for multi-agency training.
Monitoring and Evaluation: The need for an agreed management information system and evaluation arrangements to underpin delivery and inform future planning.
Requirements for an Arrest Referral Service
On page 2, we set out a summary of the key requirements of an Arrest Referral service.
Effective Interventions Unit
March 2002
The guide is at: www.drugmisuse.isdscotland.org/eiu/eiu.htm or from 0131 244 5117 or eiu@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
REQUIREMENTS FOR AN ARREST REFERRAL SERVICE
Partnerships between Agencies: | Strategic level group led by the Drug Action Team and operational level group. Agreement on objectives and priorities, resources and who will manage those resources including who will employ and manage the arrest referral workers |
Proactive Approach: | The arrest referral worker meets all arrestees who express an interest |
Skilled and Competent Arrest Referral Workers: | Knowledgeable about drugs and drug problems; knowledgeable about local treatment and support services counselling skills; assessment skills. Has access to supervision and ongoing development. |
Comprehensive Common Assessment: | The arrest referral worker assesses the range of needs of the individual to ensure appropriate referrals to drug treatment services or to other agencies. |
Range of Services Available and Committed: | Drug services (NHS, social care, voluntary sector - prescribing, detox, rehabilitation), housing, employment and training, debt counselling. |
Clear Management Structures: | One agency to employ the arrest referral worker and provide management. |
Monitoring and Evaluation Arrangements: | Shared information and evaluation strategy. |
Operational Requirements: | Time, space and staff resource. |
Agreed Terminology and Definitions: | Common understanding between agencies. |
Agreed Locations: | Police stations or courts or both: on site or on call. Agreement on space for the arrest referral workers and on safety and on supervision arrangements. |
Operational Roles Clearly Set Out: | How it works, who does what, does and don'ts for arrest referral workers and custody officers. |
Protocols: | On confidentiality and sharing of information, on security and safety, on referrals, on tracking of clients |
Agreed hours of cover: | On site or on call. |