Processes and challenges associated with establishing a linked national suicide database across the criminal justice system

Abstract

IntroductionThere is a wealth of data contained within healthcare and criminal justice system (CJS) datasets that, if successfully linked, could provide more information about this population, particularly those offenders who die in non-custodial CJS settings where, comparatively, much less is known. ObjectivesThis study aims to determine feasibility of conducting data linkage across key criminal justice datasets and outline the processes, methodological considerations and any other implications of setting up such a linkage. MethodFive CJS datasets were identified for potential inclusion for linkage with Office for National Statistics (ONS) mortality data. Respective data teams were contacted, and scoping discussions were held via email, telephone contact and in person. Information was sought on available data, quality and completeness, unique identifiers, processes for record matching, cost implications, estimated timescales, required approvals, data security considerations and quality of data. ResultsAll five datasets were deemed important to include and responses from data teams suggest that the proposed linkage is both feasible and valuable, within a reasonable timeframe and with minimal associated costs. The discovery of an additional `spine' dataset provides a more effective method of record matching by linking police identifiers to unique prison and probation identifiers. ConclusionsThe proposed linkage could highlight key points across the criminal justice system at which to target suicide prevention strategies. A more comprehensive linkage, including healthcare services, would further extend the opportunity to target interventions.

Implementing the English health inequalities agenda: addressing challenges to person-level, cross-sectoral data linkage, access and routine use for local authority public health

“…However, it is not entirely clear whether these can be used for the full range of possible analytics, known as 'secondary uses', by their respective local ICSs. Guidance from NHS England lists approximately 34 secondary uses covering descriptive, diagnostic, predictive and prescriptive domains: risk stratification for early intervention and prevention (2), managing finances, quality and outcomes (14), planning, implementing and evaluating population health strategy (7), and undertaking research (11). Thus a variety of uses can be generated, ranging from an understanding of population segments associated with high intensity service use, re-identifying patients at risk of rehospitalization in need of multi-faceted care, and helping and evaluating the impact of new population health and preventative services, care pathways and programmes [12-14], generating precise and robust analysis for effective planning and decision making, and answering questions requiring large sample sizes or detailed data on hard-to-reach populations [15].…”

“…primary care, emergency care and hospital services), local authority person-level data on education, housing, employment, welfare, the criminal justice services, and community-based preventative services delivered by the VCSE sector, such as social prescribing. Indeed, there is a growing demand for these datasets to be linked, with proven working examples centred around suicide and the criminal justice system [ 7 ], mental health, social care and education [ 8 ]. Only a few examples of active cross-sectoral data linkage exist in England.…”