City Research Online

Abstract

Aim
Prisoners exhibit high rates of substance use and mental health problems. In the present study, we sought to gain a detailed understanding of substance use amongst young prisoners to inform early detection and early intervention strategies in a prison setting.

Methods
This is a cross‐sectional study of 2102 prisoners who were screened by the London Early Detection and Prevention in Prison Team (LEAP). Data on the use of substances were collected including age of first use, recent use, duration of use and poly‐drug use. The Prodromal Questionnaire – Brief Version was used to screen for the at‐risk mental state.

Results
We found high rates of lifetime and recent use and low age of first use of a number of substances. We also found strong associations between substance use and screening positive for an at‐risk mental state. Logistic regression analysis confirmed that use of any drug in the last year, poly‐drug and early use, as well as heavy alcohol use, were related to an increased risk of screening positive.

Conclusions
Substance use in the prison population is not only widespread and heavy but is also strongly linked with a higher risk of developing mental health problems. The need for early detection and early intervention in prison is discussed.

Publication Type:	Article
Additional Information:	This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Cooper, J. , Jarrett, M. , Forrester, A. , di Forti, M. , Murray, R. M., Huddy, V. , Roberts, A. , Phillip, P. , Campbell, C. , Byrne, M. , McGuire, P. , Craig, T. and Valmaggia, L. (2018), Substance use and at‐risk mental state for psychosis in 2102 prisoners: the case for early detection and early intervention in prison. Early Intervention in Psychiatry, 12: 400-409. doi:10.1111/eip.12343, which has been published in final form at http://doi.org/10.1111/eip.12343. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions.
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC0321 Neuroscience. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry
Departments:	School of Health & Psychological Sciences > Nursing

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