Guest Blog – Ian
Hi, my name is Ian, and I’m an Arrest Referral Worker in North Lanarkshire.
I come from a past surrounded by addiction, and, over the years, I found myself in the grip of the criminal justice system. I spent time in police custody suites as well as in prison. For me, that was just the way it was.
When I was in these situations, there was no real support offered. Custody staff saw me as just another druggie and treated me as such. I didn’t expect anything else, because, at that time, I had no idea there were any other options.
I found recovery through the intervention of a close friend and managed to turn things around. I became a volunteer within the recovery community, and as my passion for recovery grew, my ability to offer hope to others strengthened my own recovery. So when the role of Arrest Referral Worker came up, I jumped at the chance.
It was a role that would allow me to visit custody suites and talk to people with substance issues while they were in the same situation I had once been in. It meant being able to offer support in a way that might have ended my own addictive behaviours much sooner, had it been available to me at the time.
The role allows me not only to signpost and refer people to services across North Lanarkshire, but also to support them in attending appointments and getting their recovery underway. I can help individuals at court, advocate for them within a system that has pretty much given up on them, and show people that there is a new way to live — and that it is achievable. I am a testament to that.
I often refer to this position as a job, but honestly, I don’t see it that way. I am allowed to pursue my passion, and the bonus is that I get paid for it.
I believe in what I do, and I have seen some great results with people who were lost in addiction. The other side of the work is that the court system is now starting to recognise what we do. They are becoming more flexible around sentencing when they know our team is working with someone and that the individual is genuinely trying to change their behaviour.
Most of the people who appear before our courts are not bad people. They are stuck in a lifestyle that dictates their choices. When other options become available, these men and women are often more than willing to make positive choices and distance themselves from the criminality that plagues their lives.
I know this service works. The offer of hope, even while sitting in a cold cell, can turn things around. The individual needs to be ready to accept support, but as long as they are at that point, the arrest referral service will not give up on them.
We will visit people at home. We will pick them up and take them to appointments or court dates. We will take them to recovery cafés and signpost them to mental health support, benefits, and housing services. Throughcare is a vital part of what we do and helps people know they are not alone.
North Lanarkshire Arrest Referral
Test of Change support service engaging with people coming into Coatbridge police custody, where alcohol/drugs have been a factor in offending.
Offering support with:
• Substance Use Issues
• Signposting and referral to other relevant services
• Support to attend initial appointments
Ian and Dave are in the custody suite 6 days a week. You can contact the service directly or ask the police officers to contact us:
Ian Glatley – 07355472175
Dave Gallagher – 07920234690
