From dependency to work: Addressing the multiple needs of offenders with drug problems

Description

This report presents the findings from one of the first evaluations of a British programme to integrate drug and alcohol treatment with mental health services, education, training and employment support - the 'From Dependency to Work (D2W)' programme. It provides an invaluable insight into the challenges and difficulties and highlights important lessons for central and regional government on funding and working with the voluntary sector to deliver services. The report addresses a number of key questions: To what extent did the D2W programme address multiple needs? Was the D2W concept of multidisciplinary working with offenders viable? What funding and performance management regimes might better foster partnership working? In the light of this evaluation, how best should government contract with the voluntary sector? With the recent launch of the Drug Interventions Programme (DIP), statutory and voluntary sector agencies working together across the country will need to develop effective multidisciplinary working in this field. This report provides all those involved, from a strategic level to frontline practitioners, with a clearer understanding of the issues.

Tim McSweeney and Victoria Herrington are Research Fellows, Mike Hough Director and Paul J. Turnbull Deputy Director, all at the Institute for Criminal Policy Research at the School of Law, King's College London. Jim Parsons is Senior Research Associate at the Vera Institute of Justice, New York.