Centre for Mental Health

After release

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)

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.