London Development Centre

Mental Health Awareness Training across the Criminal  Justice system

There is a national initiative to deliver mental health awareness training to Her Majesty’s Prison Service (HMPS) staff and we are working towards provision of 20% training to staff in HMPs.

Local and regional management plans have been established, considering the development of sustainable local delivery structures. Mental Health Awareness staff training is centred on the use of a workbook within a prison setting. The booklet:

  • raises awareness of mental health;
  • details how to use and develop greater knowledge of the referral process to specialist help;
  • improves management of mental health problems;
  • considers the influence of the surrounding environment on our mental health.

We are piloting a new 'bite-sized' approach to mental health awareness training delivery in HMP Brixton. The training is delivered on the wing in 'one hour' slots using Offender Health training materials. The aim of the training pilot is to examine a method to overcoming some barriers to training delivery, e.g. releasing staff from their duties to attend training due to capacity issues. A report from the training pilot will be published on this website Spring 2009.

We are also working in partnership with London's prison health and research network (PETaR) to deliver Mental Health Awareness training across London HMPs.