Brief interventions for alcohol use disorders within criminal justice settings
Evidence-rated crime-reduction intervention (EMMIE).
Effect on crime
some reduction
Evidence quality
moderate
What the evidence says
Brief interventions for individuals with alcohol use disorders are delivered through face-to-face sessions within criminal justice settings. The intervention aims to motivate individuals to address their alcohol problems and includes personalized feedback and discussions about health risks. Evidence suggests that while there is some reduction in crime and reoffending, the overall statistical impact is not significant, with mixed results from various studies regarding their effectiveness.
How it works
By capitalizing on a teachable moment, these interventions encourage individuals to consider their alcohol use in the context of their offending behavior. Although there are indications of reduced alcohol intake and reoffending, the mechanism was not directly tested in the review.
Implementation
The review does not provide specific details on implementation or challenges faced during the delivery of the intervention.
Source: College of Policing Crime Reduction Toolkit (What Works Centre for Crime Reduction). Summarised 2026-07-15. BlueLineHub is independent and not affiliated with the College of Policing.