Hazardous journeys to better places positive outcomes and negative risks associated with the care pathway before, during and after an admittance to the Dochas Centre, Mountjoy Prison

Abstract

This study was an eighteen-month process evaluation and treatment outcome study of female drug-using prisoners admitted to The Dochas Centre, Mountjoy, Dublin, Ireland. Questions addressed in the process evaluation included the nature and extent of treatment provided, discharge planning, aftercare arrangements, internal and external co-ordination and a study of the integrated care pathway. The outcome evaluation looked at whether clients of the service had changed over time. It addressed questions on treatment of drug use, whether clients were better off than before treatment, and whether clients reduced their drug use.