Abstract: alcohol and crime, especially violent crime, are linked. Many prisoners are incarcerated because of alcoholrelated crime. alcohol is not permitted in prisons except for a very few exceptions, and illicit use of alcohol in prison is not a major problem. Imprisonment does, however, give an opportunity to tackle alcohol problems in prisoners, with the potential for positive effects on their families and friends and a reduction in the risk of re-offending, the costs to society and health inequalities.