FINDING FREEDOM IN JAIL (LTE 1)

Decca Aitkenhead is right to point out that priority should be given to
treating offenders' drug addictions if there is to be any hope in reducing
the incidence of crime (Comment, July 26). Her suggestion of sentencing
more of these offenders to treatment instead of prison is welcome, but I
disagree with her attitude to treatment within prisons.

RAPt, the country's largest provider of prison-based treatment programmes,
runs intensive rehabilitation in five jails in London and the south east.
Around 400 prisoners pass through our programmes each year. Preliminary
findings from independent research show that 51% of RAPt graduates remain
abstinent from drugs and alcohol six months after release, ie a year after
treatment in prison. Re-offending rates have dropped by 50%.

Moreover, these results have been obtained working with hardened drug
users, mostly repeat offenders who frequently only join the RAPt programme
in the hope of getting early parole. Contrary to the opinions expressed by
the home office spokesman quoted, drug treatment can work, even when the
prisoner is unwilling and the surroundings unsavoury.

As for loss of liberty - that happened long ago when drugs took control of
their lives. True release comes from breaking that hold. In the words of
one of our treatment graduates from Pentonville: "I only found freedom when
I came to prison."

Shalini Gidoomal Rehabilitation for Addicted Prisoners Trust