IDTS stands for the Integrated Drug Treatment System. The programme aims to combine pharmacological and psychosocial treatment. This is because drug treatment is more effective when these components work together in harmony. IDTS delivery started in 2006 in almost a third of English prisons. The programme has been since rolled out and is now in its fourth wave of prisons.

The evaluation aims to examine the effectiveness of IDTS offered by prison establishments. The qualitative evaluation aims to provide a detailed understanding of the process of implementing and delivering IDTS in prison. This considers what factors have helped or hindered IDTS set up and delivery and what lessons have been learnt. It will also gather people’s experiences of IDTS – both staff working in the prisons and IDTS service users. The quantitative survey complements the case studies by providing longitudinal data on IDTS from the viewpoint of the service users.

20 different prisons are taking part in the evaluation. We have selected a range of prisons – including male and female prisons, prisons in different geographic areas in England, prisons of varying security category and prisons involved in different stages of IDTS implementation. Including a range of prisons allows us to see how the programme is working in different establishments and exposes us to a range of issues that may impact on the programme.

The NatCen evaluation uses a mixed methods approach. Qualitative case studies will be conducted in 20 IDTS prisons. This involves interviews and focus groups with stakeholders, IDTS staff and IDTS service users. The aim of this qualitative stage is to explore the process of implementation. We are also conducting a quantitative survey of IDTS service users about their experiences of IDTS. Some of these service users will also be surveyed when they have been released from prison to ascertain information about the continuity of treatment. As part of the evaluation, collaborators from the Institute for Criminal Policy Research are qualitatively exploring the impact of IDTS on prison management issues.