Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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Individual community-based treatment of offenders with mental illness: relationship to recidivism
- Authors:
- ABRACEN Jeffrey, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 31(10), 2016, pp.1842-1858.
- Publisher:
- Sage
This study explores the effectiveness of psychological intervention at reducing the risk of recidivism among a group of high-risk, high-need offenders housed in a Community Correctional Centre (CCC) operated by the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC). File reviews on 136 male federal offenders living in a CCC in a large metropolitan area were included in the present investigation. Previous research on this sample by our team indicated that the majority of this sample met diagnostic criteria for a variety of psychiatric conditions. Data on the number of individual counselling sessions received and progress in treatment were collected from official file information for the purpose of the present investigation. After accounting for actuarially assessed risk, moderate doses of treatment were found to be associated with 7.7 times less likelihood of recidivism, and high doses of treatment were found to be associated with 11.6 times less likelihood of recidivism, when compared with offenders who received no treatment or were only assessed for treatment. These results are discussed in the context of correctional models of offender risk assessment and rehabilitation. It is notable that a very simple measure of global mental health treatment attendance, with no consideration of such factors as responsiveness, added considerable incremental predictive validity to the results after having statistically accounted for actuarially assessed risk of recidivism. (Publisher abstract)
'Enhanced support for high intensity users of the criminal justice system': an evaluation of mental health nurse input into Integrated Offender Management Services in the North East of England
- Authors:
- DYER Wendy, BIDDLE Paul
- Journal article citation:
- Social Policy and Society, 15(1), 2016, pp.43-55.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
The current UK Government's focus on the development of services to manage and support offenders with mental health problems has resulted in a number of innovative project developments. This research examines a service development in the North East of England which co-located mental health nurses with two Integrated Offender Management teams. While not solving all problems, the benefits of co-location were clear, although such innovations are now at risk from government changes which will make Integrated Offender Management the responsibility of new providers without compelling them to co-operate with health services. (Publisher abstract)
Mental health and wellbeing and personality disorders: a guide for criminal justice professionals
- Author:
- NORTHERN IRELAND. Department of Justice
- Publisher:
- Northern Ireland. Department of Justice
- Publication year:
- 2016
- Pagination:
- 29
- Place of publication:
- Belfast
This guide aims to provide practical advice and information for criminal justice professionals on recognising, working with, and supporting people who are experiencing mental health distress and who come into contact with the criminal justice system. Section one provides information on why criminal justice professionals are likely to come across people with mental health conditions in the criminal justice system and how to recognise when someone might be experiencing mental health distress. Section two provides a three step guide to working with and supporting someone who may be experiencing mental health distress. This could include victims and witnesses, or individuals who have been convicted of an offence. Section three provides information on the support available for people with mental health problems in different parts of the Northern Ireland criminal justice system. Section four provides more detailed information on the main range of mental health conditions, mental health issues and personality disorders. The guide is relevant for police officers, advocacy and support workers, solicitors, barristers, prosecutors, magistrates, the judiciary and courts and probation, prison, youth justice and Department of Justice staff. (Edited publisher abstract)
What can be done to improve outcomes for prisoners with a dual diagnosis?
- Authors:
- MOYES Hattie Catherine Ann, HEATH Joshua James, DEAN Lucy Victoria
- Journal article citation:
- Advances in Dual Diagnosis, 9(1), 2016, pp.14-25.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on offenders with a dual diagnosis and discuss how prison-based services can improve to better meet the needs of prisoners with co-occurring substance misuse and mental health disorders. Design/methodology/approach: A comprehensive literature search of PsycINFO, JSTOR, PubMed and Google Scholar, reviewing international studies on dual diagnosis amongst offender and community samples spanning the last three decades, supplemented by international policy, guidance papers and reports was conducted to explore how services can be improved. Findings: It was found that research into dual diagnosis amongst prisoners internationally was scarce. However, from the evidence available, several consistent factors emerged that led to the following recommendations: integrated treatment needs to be coordinated and holistic, staged and gender-responsive; increased availability of "low level", flexible interventions; transitional support and continuity of care upon release with the utilisation of peer mentors; comprehensive assessments in conducive settings; mandatory dual diagnosis training for staff; and increased funding for female/gender-responsive services. Implications: The recommendations can inform commissioners, funders and service providers of areas where support must be improved to address the needs of prisoners with a dual diagnosis. Improved outcomes for prisoners with a dual diagnosis would likely have a positive effect on society, with improvements in mental health and substance misuse treatment impacting on rates of reoffending. (Edited publisher abstract)
Blackpool Fulfilling Lives: evaluation report: year 1
- Author:
- CORDIS BRIGHT
- Publisher:
- Cordis Bright
- Publication year:
- 2016
- Pagination:
- 48
- Place of publication:
- London
An evaluation of the first year of the Blackpool Fulfilling Lives (BFL) project, covering the period from 1 October 2015 to 30 September 2016. BFL is a Big Lottery funded project which supports people with complex needs, focusing on experiencing at least two of the following issues: homelessness, reoffending, problematic substance misuse, or mental ill health. The programme has four main outcomes, each with set of indicators against which progress can be measured. These outcomes are: improvement in the lives of people with complex needs, lasting systemic change, empowerment of services users and responding to people in a more co-ordinated and person-centred way. The evaluation covers three main areas: the experience of Fulfilling Lives service users; the relationship between Blackpool Fulfilling Lives and the local system of services and support for people with multiple and complex needs in Blackpool; and the cost effectiveness of the service. It also set out plans for BFL in light of what has been learned so far. (Edited publisher abstract)
Mental health and criminal justice: views from consultations across England and Wales
- Author:
- DURCAN Graham
- Publisher:
- Centre for Mental Health
- Publication year:
- 2016
- Pagination:
- 48
- Place of publication:
- London
Reports on the findings of a consultation, commissioned by the Department of Health, to find out how to improve the mental health of the prison population across England and Wales. Over 200 people with personal or professional knowledge of the interfaces between the criminal justice system and mental health services took part in the consultation which involved 17 events, individual interviews and small group meetings. All events took place in February 2015. The report discusses the findings relating to a number of key themes, including: commissioning, training in mental health awareness, information sharing within and between mental health and criminal justice, prison mental health care, resettlement and probation. The consultation found that few of the prisons represented at the events were able to offer psychological therapies, and that primary mental health care remains the weakest element of mental health support in prisons. Issues raised by participants included: the need for a more robust screening and assessment processes in all justice settings; wider availability of support and care; the provision of pragmatic and practical support (e.g. with housing and debt) at critical periods (e.g. on release from prison); increasing access to psychological interventions that are adapted to reflect complex and multiple need; and increasing the use of mentors and peers, and the voice of service users in the planning and provision of services. The report identifies key areas for improvement across the criminal justice system and calls for a new ‘concordat’ between different government agencies to join together better to help people with mental health problems in the criminal justice system. (Edited publisher abstract)