INSIDE HMP INVERNESS: ‘Recovery gives you things and addiction takes them away,’ says prisoner
“I’ve been in and out of prison for the last 25 years and this is the first time I’ve felt hope,” says William.
He’s currently in custody at HMP Inverness and was attending the recovery day at the prison.
Over the last few months, he’s received support which has seen him get clean and sober — which he is confident will now continue when he is released.
He continued: “I’ve got support, I’ve got a job, a date to get out and support lined up for when I’m out.
“The staff have made such a difference and have been understanding and supported me.
“This is the one time I’ve been able to nip it in the bud.
“I feel so much better being sober - it’s made such a difference.”
He is one of many attending the recovery day, where those in custody walked around the prison yard in memory of loved ones who have lost their lives to alcohol and drugs.
Organisations from outside were also in attendance including Crossreach, Centred and the Scottish Recovery Consortium.
William said: “I’ve been sharing my experience with the other younger guys and explaining that they have to put the work in.
“I spent a few years homeless on the streets of Glasgow and I do believe I had to lose everything to get to this point now.”
After the walk around the grounds, Darren was able to share his story of battling addiction throughout his life with the group.
He said: “Recovery gives you things and addiction takes them away.
“For me it’s been a lifelong battle. It’s been a dice with death so many times.
“When I leave here I have to plug into recovery. I don’t want to die.”
He added: “Today is about remembering the people we’ve lost.”
“If you’re in the midst of addiction, don’t give up and surround yourself with recovery because it will save your life.”
The recovery walk is part of a Scotland-wide mission to help people with their substance misuse issues and to remember those who have lost their lives to addiction.
According to data, substance use and dependence represents the most common mental health need in the UK prison population. Research shows that individuals in prison are more likely to have a substance problem than not.
Scotland continues to have a far higher rate of recorded drugs deaths than other European nations, including other parts of the UK.
Dermot Craig, who works for the Scottish Recovery Consortium said: “We want to take the stigma out of addiction and make recovery visible for everyone.
“We need to speak about it and make it accessible to people.”
