A SCHEME whereby convicted criminals commit to stay sober or face prison could be introduced in Britain, it was suggested yesterday.
The “24/7 sobriety” scheme involves people paying to be tested for alcohol twice a day after being convicted of drink-related crime, and appearing in court to face the prospect of custody if they test positive. It has already been implemented in the US, with the state of South Dakota reporting a 14 per cent drop in the prison population as a result, according to deputy mayor of London Kit Malthouse.
Mr Malthouse said he would like to pilot the scheme in the capital, where alcohol is a “big problem”.
He told BBC Radio: “The way it works is somebody who is convicted, rather than go to prison, they go on this scheme where they get tested twice a day . . . so they can maintain employment. If they are found to have consumed alcohol, they go before a judge or magistrate, who decides what punishment they should have.”
Mr Malthouse said the US scheme had a 99 per cent compliance rate. He said it was self-financing, because those taking part paid a dollar per alcohol test, and was a “cheaper and more cost-effective” alternative to jail. – (PA)
