Cardigan House Probation Hostel

Cardigan House accepts referrals from the Courts, Probation Officers and prisons for offenders on Bail, on Licence from prison, on Community Rehab Orders - thats on probation to most people and who need respite during their flow through the Criminal Justice system. They provide valuable and often much needed accommodation in a sheltered environment where there is supervision, guidance and reasonable but minimal curfew rules. All types of Offenders are provided for and there is some specialist care for drug users and other substance misusers.

There is an Alcohol Assessment facility whereby Primary (whereby an offence has a central feature of alcohol in the charge ie drive intoxicated or assault committed when intoxicated) and Secondary Alcohol Related Offenders (those who offend to subsidise their drinking) are screened in respect of health and safety issues to themselves, other hostel residents, hostel staff, hostel property and any risks that may be presented to the public. Courts often make Bail conditions ""to address alcohol problem"" in the Bail period and this is done by an Alcohol Consultant who quantifies the nature and extent of the problem and designs a suitable programme in conjunction with staff. This may be a modified drinking programme , abstinence or harm reduction as required by each individual resident. Any of these options is part of the supervision plan of the resident. Individuals are selected by Bail conditions, analysis of the records, self referral or for discipline breaches. Most residents who experience this assessment process find it helpful as they have never before had a formal structured assessment of their drinking. The sessions with the Alcohol worker are geared round the notion promoted by Douglas Cameron at Leicester in the 80's and 90's that a single Educational/therapeutic asessment session can be almost as effective as formal treatment.

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Ian D.