Probation, Mental Health and Criminal Justice

This collection of research and evaluation explores issues in mental health and probation across the globe. The volume offers insight into a wide range of interrelated topics that address the mental health and mental health needs of those under probation supervision. The chapters embrace a range of diverse mental health concerns. The underpinning assumption is that offenders should receive mental healthcare that is 'equivalent' to that received by the general population where this is appropriate. This overview is informed by perspectives from academics and practitioners based in England and the Republic of Ireland, and also includes the views of people with lived experience of the Criminal Justice System. Building upon and adding to the existing literature in this field, the book will be a valuable resource for academics and researchers as well as those training to work in, and currently working in, the criminal justice and mental health field, and would also be of interest to those working in related healthcare settings.

Charlie Brooker has an honorary chair in the Department of Law and Criminology at Royal Holloway, University of London. He was previously professor of mental health at both the Universities of Sheffield and Manchester. He has published widely on the intersect between health and the Criminal Justice System including prisons, probation, policy custody, secure children's homes and sexual assault referral centres (SARCs). Coral Sirdifield is a Senior Research Associate at the University of Lincoln. She previously worked for the National Probation Service as part of a Lottery-funded project which employed nurses in probation offices to assess and address the health needs of people under probation supervision. She has been conducting research on understanding and addressing the health and social care needs of people in the Criminal Justice System since 2006.

Preface, Lord David RamsbothamChapter 1: Probation, Mental Health and the Criminal Justice System: An introduction, Professor Charlie Brooker & Dr Coral Sirdifield Part I: What is the evidence for effective mental health interventions in probation? Chapter 2: Mental health: a systematic review, Professor Charlie Brooker & Dr Coral Sirdifield Chapter 3: Suicide: a systematic review, Dr Coral Sirdifield Chapter 4: Substance misuse: a systematic review, Dr Coral Sirdifield Part II: How common are mental health problems in probation? Chapter 5: The Lincolnshire Prevalence Study, Professor Charlie Brooker & Dr Coral Sirdifield Chapter 6: Mental health among persons subject to probation supervision in Ireland, Christina Power & Gerry McNally Part III: Thematic reviews Chapter 7: Thematic inspection of individuals with mental health needs and disorders in the Criminal Justice System, Dr Laura Buckley, Avtar Singh & Dr Robin Moore Chapter 8: Substance misuse services and probation: a fractured relationship, Kevin Ball & Lisa Parker Part IV: Psychological treatment Chapter 9: Psychological treatment and screening, Dr James Fowler Chapter 10: New directions for suicide prevention in Approved Premises, Professor Karen Slade Chapter 11: Autism and offending behaviour, Andrew Bates Part V: Probation and Covid-19 Chapter 12: A view of probation and mental health after the pandemic, Kerry Ellis Devitt, David Coley, Jess Lawrence & Stacey Musimbe-Rix Part VI: Methodological issues Chapter 13: A lived experience perspective: enhancing the work of probation through co-production, Emma, Jason & Dr Philip Mullen (Revolving Doors Agency) Chapter 14: Researching the probation service response to mental health need, Professor David Denney & Dr Coral Sirdifield Part VII: Conclusion Chapter 15: Conclusion, Professor Charlie Brooker, Dr Coral Sirdifield & Professor David Denney