Risdon Prison Alcohol & Drug Treatment Unit officially opened

The new Apsley Alcohol and Drug Treatment Unit at the Risdon Prison Complex is now officially open.

The first 10 participants at the Unit begin the 12 week live-in drug and alcohol program this week.

The Alcohol and Drug Treatment Unit will for the first time offer prisoners a live-in program which will address the biological, psychological and social triggers of an individual’s addictive behaviour to help address drug and alcohol use in the prison.

I announced earlier this year that the Tasmania Prison Service would set up the live-in drug and alcohol program, which will form a vital part of the rehabilitation process for inmates with drug and alcohol dependencies.

Prison services in other states successfully offer this type of program and it is pleasing that the Tasmania Prison Service is now able to do so.

The Apsley unit, which was built as part of the recent redevelopment at the Prison, was found to be ideally suited to the operation of a residential alcohol and drug treatment program.

Dedicated correctional staff, program facilitators and alcohol and drug counsellors will work with prisoners in the unit to address their substance misuse issues and assist them to gain the strength and skills to progress towards behavioural change.

Combined with the enhanced education and training programs now offered by the TPS, this is another important step in the increased focus on rehabilitation for prisoners.
Vanessa Goodwin, Minister for Corrections