Criminal Justice Services

Aftercare appointments can be arranged prior to your release and you can continue to engage in therapy or recovery work in the community. If you would like to be signposted to another service we can facilitate this.

The Criminal Justice Substance Service is a partnership between Independence and the Probation Service, enabling drug and alcohol users to receive treatment as part of a court order or as part of a parole licence.

Clients can access the service either from court as an alternative to a custodial sentence, or as part of their parole conditions. There is a drug/alcohol testing requirement which can be up to three times a week. In addition to testing, clients have access to peer support groups (SMART groups) specifically focusing on behaviour change. SMART (Self-Management and Recovery Training) is an abstinence orientated recovery group, which helps individuals gain control over their addictive behaviours, achieve recovery, a balanced lifestyle and lead meaningful and satisfying lives.

The Arrest Referral Service is a response to an identified need for individuals arrested over the weekend and whose offence may be directly or indirectly linked to drug or alcohol use, and who would normally not access substance use services.
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Arrest Referral is a proactive service aiming to engage drug and alcohol users with treatment services at an earlier stage than would normally occur. When a person is arrested and drugs, alcohol, or gambling is highlighted as problematic they are offered the opportunity to be referred to Independence.