Paul Biddle Research Fellow Closing the Revolving Door? The role of diversion services in supporting offenders with mental health issues and learning disabilities. Paul Biddle Research Fellow

The Problem “I definitely think if I hadn’t seen the (mental health nurse) I would’ve hung myself by now”. Service User 24 November, 2018

The Problem Offenders with un-addressed mental health issues (and other associated problems) continue re-entering the criminal justice system (CJS) without diagnosis/interventions Detrimental impact of prison on mental health of prisoners Desire to improve public protection Need to reduce re-offending Bradley Report (2009) recognised these problems –emphasised that they are interlinked 24 November, 2018

The Solution (?) Bradley - Criminal Justice Liaison & Diversion Services (CJLDS) to deliver community-based interventions to those in repeat contact with CJS who have multiple meets not met by existing services Led to Offender Health Commissioning Unit (NE) funding 3 pilot CJLDS 2 within Integrated Offender Management teams (IOMs) & 1 in Magistrates Court - designed to reduce re-offending by addressing issues of those in repeat contact with CJS 1 Nurse for each pilot 24 November, 2018

Evaluation Approach Evaluation Approach Exploratory Design Implementation-Mechanisms of Impact-Context-Outcomes Time & budget issues led to use of distance-travelled approach to capture interim outcomes Evaluation Tools Lit. Rev Semi-structured interviews/focus groups: Staff Service users Case notes/records → case studies Data from the Minimum Data Set Project utilised 24 November, 2018

Findings Total accepted referrals (Nov 12-Jun 13) Male White-British Unemployed/Long term sick Over 10 previous convictions Current index offence (non-violent) Previous prison sentence Previous contact with mental health services 191 82% 99% 98% 69% 77% 70% 60% 24 November, 2018

Findings 24 November, 2018

Findings 24 November, 2018

Findings 24 November, 2018

Findings 24 November, 2018

Findings 24 November, 2018

Findings Pilots did provide support: Assist diagnosis, support referral, enable immediate interventions, enhance advocacy and so provide additional opportunities to address offending and issues A useful part of a wider package of interventions – not a panacea Service User “My attitude towards people has changed…on normal occasions when I would’ve kicked off and later regretted it, I’ve thought about it logically. I’ve thought to myself there’s too much to lose” 24 November, 2018

The Future Local flexibilities/no blueprint → future of IOM/CJLNs??? Clarification of CJLN roles – include casework? Address client and stakeholder disengagement Standardise assessment, screening and referral: Especially re: Learning Disabilities Use of MDS to continue to capture outcomes 24 November, 2018

The challenges of evaluation Timescales – resulted in evaluation being able to: Identify initial positive results that are prerequisites for success Provide findings sufficient to assist ongoing £ Timescales Did not allow for ultimate outcomes (e.g. reoffending) to be captured fully 24 November, 2018

End Any Questions? 24 November, 2018