Information for Prison Staff

Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.

The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.

There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions.

A.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organisation or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any causes.

Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.

Anonymity is a vital part of our philosophy which gives assurance and comfort to anyone thinking of seeking our help.

All work undertaken by members of Alcoholics Anonymous is entirely voluntary.

It is our aim to have access to all inmates, whether in the main prison or prison hospitals, to offer the Alcoholics Anonymous recovery programme through its membership.

Alcoholics Anonymous has been carrying its message into prison establishments since the late fifties; the co-operation and understanding from governors and prison staff has made this possible.

Alcoholics Anonymous is involved in the majority of prison establishments throughout Great Britain. There are a number of services which are available to the inmate:

1. MEETINGS – The principal path to A.A. recovery where direct contact with other alcoholics offers guidance, support and encouragement.
2. VISITS – A.A. members are willing to visit those inmates unable to attend meetings.
3. PRISON POSTAL SERVICE – where inmates may correspond with prison sponsors via our service address.
4. BEFORE RELEASE – The inmate who is attending A.A. meetings within the establishment during his/her sentence can be met on release where necessary and arrangements made to take him/her along to an A.A. meeting – this encourages the inmate to carry on attending A.A. on his/her release. (A A members are freely available to provide information to groups of inmates during their imprisonment on all matters relating to A.A..)
5. SUPPORT FOR PRISON STAFF – A.A. members attend the establishment, when requested, to inform staff on what A.A. has to offer.
   1. Informing them that there is an A.A. meeting within the prison – day and time – procedure.
   2. That A.A. literature is available.
   3. A.A. members will answer any questions relating to our programme of recovery that may be asked of them by the staff.