Briefing 42: Beyond the Gate

Securing employment for offenders with mental health problems

24 November 2010

For people with a history of offending, one of the most effective ways of preventing reoffending and improving their chances of leading a better life is likely to be finding and keeping a job. However, only a small proportion of prisoners in England have jobs to go to on release and employment support offered in the criminal justice system is too often denied to offenders with mental health problems.

It is possible to support people with mental health problems and offending histories into mainstream employment, from whichever part of the criminal justice system they are in. This paper provides a summary of the findings from an 18 month employment of offenders partnership programme and explores the elements of effective practice. It sets out the five key elements we have identified with examples of how they have been used in practice.

Audience: local commissioners, employment services, criminal justice agencies.

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