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CARAT HMP Belmarsh

Who we are

CARAT is a Counselling, Advice, Referral, Assessment and Throughcare service.

Our CARAT team at HMP Belmarsh offers a range of services to any person with drug or alcohol issues to help them manage their substance use and prepare for leaving prison.

What we do

CARAT works with prisoners who misuse substances to help them with treatment while in prison and to offer support when released.
The CARAT at Belmarsh provides:

  • assessment of an individual’s needs, within five days of arrival in prison
  • one to one support, tailored to the needs of the prisoner
  • referral to services around the prison which will suit the needs of the individual including gym access, education, counselling, group work, etc
  • advice on issues such as training, sleep problems, blood borne viruses (BBVs)
  • in cell work around issues such as stress management, harm minimisation and anger management
  • guidance and support on alcohol, cannabis, other substance use and relapse prevention
  • support with applications for a drug rehabilitation requirement (DRR)
  • support with applications for residential rehabilitation and link with funders
  • liaise with services in the community so that there is a release plan in place and support to ensure transition on release

    Next steps

    When an offender goes through the induction process on first arriving in Belmarsh potential CARAT clients are identified and asked if they would like to access the services offered.

    Engaging with the CARAT team is voluntary and if a prisoner declines initially they are always able to ask to be referred to the service at any stage of their time in custody.

    Further information

    CARATs were launched in every prison establishment in 1999. The purpose is to provide interventions that are accessible by all prisoners who misuse substances, enabling rehabilitation and helping with reintegration into society upon release. The overall aim is to release offenders with a reduced risk of reoffending and future substance misuse.

    • Criminal Justice

    Phone number:

    020 8331 4400

    Fax:

    020 8331 4822

    Address:

    HMP Belmarsh
    Western Way
    Thamesmead
    London
    SE28 0EB

    Hours:

    8.30 - 5.30 Monday - Friday

    Email queries@cri.org.uk | Twitter Follow us on Twitter

    London & East Tel: 020 7833 7975 | North & Midlands Tel: 0113 380 4640 | South & Wales Tel : 01273 677 019

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