Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health

Resettlement

Continuity of care between prison and the community is a huge challenge. Many prisoners do not have a GP prior to entering or on leaving prison, so work done in prisons is often undone when a prisoner is released. In addition, many released prisoners have nowhere to live.

It is vital that, upon leaving prison, people are well supported and linked in to community services and that there are services available in the community to support them.

Continuity of Care

Care for Offenders: Continuity of Access (COCOA)

Offenders face difficulties in accessing health care both in the criminal justice system and in the community. It is often the case that access to health care is easier in prison than it is in the community.

We are carrying out a study of access and continuity of healthcare for those in contact with the criminal justice system to inform policy on improving offenders' health and reducing reoffending.

It will look at the current status of continuity of care for offenders, its essential elements and what effective models of service delivery for offenders exist.

This study will publish findings throughout the 2 years' duration. For more information, read the leaflet below.

Download the COCOA leaflet (404 KB)

Continuity of mental health care and the resettlement needs of prisoners due for release

Despite recognition of the importance of continuity of care for offenders on release from prison, there is little research in this area.

The main focus of this research is to interview prisoners due for release and track them in the community. We are exploring their views about continuity of mental health care and their general resettlement needs such as accommodation, employment and contact with family.

We are also seeking the views of professionals involved in resettlement and have recently conducted a focus group with friends and family of released prisoners to explore their views of the prisoner journey.

We have completed initial interviews with 27 female prisoners and 8 follow-up interviews and are currently interviewing male prisoners in a London Category B prison.

The project will be completed this summer. For more information, contact Chiara Samele.

Employment

Our two main programmes of criminal justice and employment are working together to develop pathways into employment for people with mental health problems in the criminal justice system.

Our work is focusing on identifying effective practice for offenders with mental health problems who are seeking employment in prison and in the community. We are building on the work of our current employment programme and exploring how the principles of Individual Placement and Support can be applied in the criminal justice system.

Read more about the employment of offenders project.