Bradley Commission briefing 3
September 2015
Personality disorder and complex needs is the third and final briefing paper published by Centre for Mental Health on behalf of the independent Bradley Commission, reviewing progress in the implementation of the 2009 Bradley Report. It explores what support people with personality disorders get in the criminal justice system and looks at examples of good and promising practice across the country.
Two-thirds of prisoners and about half of people under probation supervision are estimated to have personality disorder traits, yet only a small proportion get any support.
The briefing paper commends the national Offender Personality Disorder Strategy which is extending support to more people in prison and outside whose personality disorders are linked to their offending. This has led to the creation of psychologically informed physical environments (PIPEs) in prisons, where staff have received training in working with people with a personality disorder, where treatments are offered and where relationships between staff and prisoners are key to success.
The briefing paper calls on health and criminal justice services to work together to ensure effective interventions are offered at every stage of the criminal justice system to all offenders with a personality disorder.
Audience: Mental health and criminal justice services, police, local commissioners.
