Mental health conditions of offenders supervised by probation services

Abstract

Mental health conditions of offenders supervised by probation servicesThis briefing paper summarizes the current and potential future links between health and probation services relevant to the needs of offenders with mental health conditions. The premise of the paper is that 39 per cent of offenders supervised by probation services have a current mental health problem, yet the Mental Health Treatment Requirement accounts for less than 1 per cent of requirements disposed. Therefore, the paper finds that mental health is largely unrecognized and untreated within the probation caseload.The paper states two overarching concerns. One concern is that many offenders with mental health conditions currently go to prison on remand and serve short sentences whereas they 'could be better managed in the community with the support of probation services' (p. 1). The paper lists the varying types of mental health conditions offenders typically tend to have, such as mood disorder (1 in 6), anxiety disorder (1 in 4), psychotic illness (ten times the national average at 1 in 10) and personality disorders (approximately 1 in 2). There is also another concern that many of these individuals have considerable alcohol and drug misuse problems. The paper also highlights another serious issue À the lack of recording of these serious mental health conditions on probation case files. This is in addition to a lack of support from mental health services. This is particularly concerning given that 'suicide rates are known to be higher in the criminal justice population than in the general population' (2012: 4), with suicide accounting for 1 in 8 deaths amongst offenders on probation.The second concern is in relation to the recent Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 and states that an increasing focus on the punitive aspect of community sentences could limit sentencers' options by making the punitive aspects mandatory in many cases. It was felt this may result in offenders being 'set up to fail' (p. 7) as, for offenders with a range of disabilities, making sentences more onerous will create demands they cannot meet in the community, thus resulting in custody and continuing the cycle of a lack of treatment in place of punishment.The paper makes a series of recommendations, not just for probation but also for the NHS and local health commissioners. In essence, the paper calls for greater training and support for offender managers (it was felt much of probation staff