Mental health and probation: A systematic review of the literature

Substance misuse and community supervision: A systematic review of the literature

“…However, if commissioners are to make evidence-based decisions about how best to address substance misuse problems amongst those under community supervision, it is vital that they have an improved evidence base to draw upon. Alongside other areas of healthcare ( Brooker, et al., 2020 ; Sirdifield, et al., 2020 ), it appears that currently, substance misuse in probation and parole populations is a field where very little meaningful research money is invested worldwide. Given the size of the problem, this is worth underlining.…”

“…We also hand-searched the reference lists of included papers, and the grey literature. Further details of this and the MEDLINE search strategy have been reported previously ( Brooker, Sirdifield, & Marples, 2020 ; Sirdifield, Brooker, & Marples, 2020 ).…”

Perceptions of the effectiveness of health care for probationers

“…These included examples of multi-agency working, third sector provision and a suggestion that counselling is an effective way of meeting the needs of both high- and low-risk probationers’ mental health and emotional well-being needs. A recent systematic review suggests that there is a dearth of evidence on the most effective ways of producing good health outcomes and improving access to care for people on probation in the literature (Brooker et al , 2020; Sirdifield et al , 2020), making it difficult to assess the transferability of these findings. Consequently, whilst the participants may indeed have provided examples of effective practices, there is a clear need for researchers to investigate and (where it is found), provide and share evidence of this to inform future investment and practice.…”

“…Internationally, there is a paucity of literature on the health needs of people on probation, but the literature that does exist suggests that there is a high level and complexity of health problems within this group when compared to the general population (Sirdifield et al , 2020; Brooker et al , 2020; Sirdifield et al , 2019c). Often people on probation are not registered with a general practitioner (GP) and do not engage with health services until they reach crisis point.…”

“…In addition, this would produce wider community dividends through things such as improved compliance with probation and reductions in both re-offending and avoiding use of expensive crisis care such as emergency departments (Revolving Doors Agency, 2017). To date, very little research has been conducted for the most effective ways of improving health-care outcomes for people on probation (Brooker et al , 2020; Sirdifield et al , 2020, 2019c). Moreover, very few joint strategic needs assessments consider those on probation (Revolving Doors Agency, 2017).…”