Prison Inmates set to receive "cold turkey" payouts

[Earlybird]

What is your reaction to this story in the news today?

"Prisoners are poised to win undisclosed pay-outs after suing the Home Office because they were forced to stop taking drugs in jail, it was revealed. Drugs charity DrugScope said the group of six inmates and former inmates who used heroin and other opiates were on the verge of settling out of court with the Prison Service. The case - alleging the "cold turkey" withdrawal treatment they were forced to undergo amounted to assault - was scheduled to start at the High Court.

The size of the payouts under discussion has not been revealed. But the compensation levels are due to be finalised on Tuesday or Wednesday, legal sources said. High Court judge Mr Justice Langstaff gave the go-ahead in May for a full hearing of the case. It focused on six test cases chosen from a total pool of 198 claimants. When finally resolved this week, all 198 may be handed compensation by the Prison Service - with sums potentially running into tens of thousands of pounds.

Mr Justice Langstaff said in May: "All claim that their treatment was handled inappropriately and so they suffered injuries and had difficulties with their withdrawal." Barrister for the claimants Richard Hermer told the court at the time: "Many of the prisoners were receiving methadone treatment before they entered prison and were upset at the short period of treatment using opiates they encountered in jail. Imposing the short, sharp detoxification is the issue."

The prisoners were bringing the action based on trespass, because they say they did not consent to the treatment, and for alleged clinical negligence. They also claimed human rights breaches under Articles 3 and 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which ban discrimination, torture or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and Article 8, which enshrines the right to respect for private life."

I expect theoir payouts have gone to fund they relapse..

It doesn't seem very fair that these people are making money out of a situation that they possibly hurt others. I don't suppose the victims of their crimes got any money. Sends a dreadful message out that people are are favouring the criminal more again.

I watched 'lock em up on Beeb 2 last night, it was about people who are in open prisons applying for parole. They are not interviewed any more. A panel of 3 are given dossiers on each inmate who has answered questions. One inmate was doing 7.5 years for something drug related and had taken regular voluntary drug tests whilst inside and been clear, but was absolutely adamant that it was not fair for anyone to say what he put into his body whilst on the outside. I was shocked because buying/owning drugs is illegal. Also, I don't think the people who take drugs realise the misery in the countries that drugs are imported from. Perhaps sending them there would be an education in it's own right.

I can't believe they are giving out money to people who have probably stolen way more to fund their habits.

You're very insightful Cod.

I think they'd be better off acknowledging that their treatment could have been better, putting that right and putting the money from the compensation into services for drug users, be that detox in prison or aftercare in the community to help them stay clean.

Quite right, surfermum. I totally agree.

Absolutely, Surfermum.

It is in everyone's interests to treat addicts effectively, but if they have a right to the treatment (such that they deserve compensation for not getting it) then that produces a corresponding obligation on us to provide the treatment, and if the money isn't available how can it be fair that we should have that obligation?

It really bugs me when compensation payments actually make the situation worse by taking money away from services when it was the lack of money to fund the services in the first place that caused the problem.

I agree that the money would be better spent on services post prison to stop them re using drugs.Some of these people have never had so much money in one go and may be tempted to relapse.

It shocks me how often the criminals are treated like victims. I'm sure these people did something to deserve to be in prison, probably to support their drug habit. They shouldn't get any compensation.