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“Recovery gives you things and addiction takes them away,” says the inmate

Monicel
“Recovery gives you things and addiction takes them away,” says the inmate

Walking through the yard. Image: James MackenzieWalking through the yard. Image: James Mackenzie
Walking through the yard. Image: James Mackenzie

“I’ve been in and out of prison for the last 25 years and this is the first time I have hope,” says William.

He is currently in custody at HMP Inverness and was attending recovery day in prison.

Over the past few months, he has received support that has seen him clean and sober, which he now hopes will 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 all the difference and have been understanding and supportive.

“That’s the only time I’ve been able to cut it off.

“I feel so much better being sober, it’s made a huge difference.”

He is one of the many attending the day of recovery, where detainees walked around the prison yard in memory of loved ones who have lost their lives to alcohol and drugs.

Walking through the yard. Image: James MackenzieWalking through the yard. Image: James Mackenzie
Walking through the yard. Image: James Mackenzie

Outside organizations including Crossreach, Centered and the Scottish Recovery Consortium also attended.

William said: “I’ve been sharing my experience with the other younger guys and explaining that they have to work.

“I spent a few years homeless on the streets of Glasgow and I think I had to lose everything to get to this point now.”

#makingrecoveryvisible Image: James Mackenzie#makingrecoveryvisible Image: James Mackenzie
#makingrecoveryvisible Image: James Mackenzie

After walking through the gardens, Darren was able to share his life-long battle with addiction with the group.

He said: “Recovery gives you things and addiction takes them away.

“It’s been a lifelong battle for me. It’s been a roll with death so many times.

Building recovery from the inside out, HMP Inverness. SPS Scottish Prison Service. Image: James MackenzieBuilding recovery from the inside out, HMP Inverness. SPS Scottish Prison Service. Image: James Mackenzie
Building recovery from the inside out, HMP Inverness. SPS Scottish Prison Service. Image: James Mackenzie

“When I get out of 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 are in the midst of addiction, don’t give up and surround yourself with recovery because it will save your life.”

Donna Macmillan, Family Liaison Worker at Cross Reach, Clair Bain, Community Worker and Vikki Cowie, Youth Service Volunteer. Image: James MackenzieDonna Macmillan, Family Liaison Worker at Cross Reach, Clair Bain, Community Worker and Vikki Cowie, Youth Service Volunteer. Image: James Mackenzie
Donna Macmillan, Family Liaison Worker at Cross Reach, Clair Bain, Community Worker and Vikki Cowie, Youth Service Volunteer. Image: James Mackenzie

The Recovery Walk is part of a Scotland-wide mission to help people with their substance abuse problems and to remember those who have lost their lives to addiction.

According to the data, substance use and dependence represent the most common mental health need in the UK prison population. Research shows that people in prison are more likely to have a substance problem than not.

Scotland continues to have a much higher rate of recorded drug 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 to everyone.

“We need to talk about it and make it accessible to people.”

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