HL Deb 12 January 2005 vol 668 cc62-3WA
Lord Avebury

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How much additional money will be provided to (a) the Prison Service and (b) the Probation Service in 2005–06 to implement the strategy of addressing alcohol misuse. [HL537]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

The strategy will be implemented within existing funding settlements within the Prison Service. The National Probation Directorate is developing a parallel strategy that will result in a consistent approach across the National Offender Management Service.

Lord Avebury

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will extend the assessment of prisoners on reception from the identification of immediate need for the management of alcohol withdrawal to the risk of harm from drinking, by use of the Paddington alcohol test or a similar questionnaire which can be administered briefly. [HL539]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

For prisoners who are assessed as not being physically dependent on alcohol upon reception, Prison Service guidance recommends the use of the alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT), which is similar to, but fuller than, the Paddington test.