Our Work Initiatives
Improving Health, Supporting Justice
On 27 November, Offender Health launched its consultation on a strategy to improve health and social care services for people subject to the criminal justice system. Improving Health, Supporting Justice consultation was launched alongside the National Offender Management Service Strategic Plan for Reducing Re-offending 2008-11 and is a joint initiative between the Department of Health, Ministry of Justice, Home Office and other key government departments/agencies. The consultation period ran from 27 November 2007 to 4 March 2008.
The consultation document focused on the principle of the offender journey (community, police, courts, prisons and probation) and examines how individuals may be effectively assessed and, where appropriate, diverted into other services rather than custodial services. It also investigates how health and social services along the pathway, for both the offender and their family, can be improved, mainstreamed and supported. Separate programmes of work will be included in the strategy to address the specific needs of women, and children & young people.
Regional events have been held as part of the consultation. The London event took place on 28th February and over 100 delegates attended. A full report of feedback from the event has been submitted to DH from the event.
Key messages
- Key to success is developing robust accountable governance structures to support implementation of the strategy in the region.
- Joint Strategic Needs Assessments present an opportunity. Offenders must be recognised, and CJS agencies must be involved in the assessment process.
- Opportunities for regional cross-agency co/joint commissioning need to be developed.
- Partnership working needs to be addressed from an outcome/shared targets perspective.
Consultation document
Powerpoint presentation by Mark Johnson
A full report providing a summary of responses to the national consultation can be downloaded here
Lord Bradley Review
Early in 2008 The Secretary of State for Justice asked Lord Bradley to undertake an independent review of the diversion of offenders with mental health problems or learning disabilities away from prison/CJS. Lord Bradley is keen to look at ‘diversion and liaison’ in the broadest sense, including looking at resettlement of prisoners back into the community (i.e. in health terms ‘continuity of care’).
In March 2008 the HSCCJ Programme Team and other key partners (CSIP, HMCS, Probation, Nacro, Together, CNWL NHS Foundation Trust) organised a 2-day fact finding mission in London as part of Lord Bradley’s programme of visits to support his review. He visited 2 courts and diversion/liaison services and a seminar was held with senior personnel from health, social care, CJ agencies and TSOs. A substantial report was compiled from the 2 days and submitted to the review team.
Lord Bradley’s final report and recommendations will directly inform the final Improving Health, Supporting Justice Strategy.
Next steps - National
Department of Health, Offender Health will publish a consultation response in early summer.
Lord Bradley will publish his final report and recommendations in autumn 2008.
Final strategy will be published late 2008/early 2009.
Lord Bradley review letter - View Lord Bradley's Review here.
London Reducing Re-Offending Action Plan
The HSCCJ Programme contributes to the work of the National Offender Management Service’s (NOMS) London Reducing Re-offending Action Plan (RRAP). A member of our team (Health Development Resettlement Officer) sits within the London NOMS office and supports the work of the Mental and Physical Health (including alcohol) pathway group and the Local Delivery Programme (see below).
As part of the NOMS regional re-structure, from 1 April 2008 the London Regional Offender Management Office and the Prison Service London Area Office merged under the leadership of the Director of Offender Management for London, Nick Pascoe.
Court Diversion and Liaison Pilots
Two national projects are piloting a Service Level Agreement Framework for the Provision of Psychiatric Reports to Crown and Magistrates’ Courts, one in the South West region of England and one in London.
The London Pilot is joint funded by Her Majesty’s Court Service and London HSCCJ Programme (CSIP) in partnership with Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust. The pilot is taking place in three magistrates’ in Brent, Harrow and Hillingdon and it includes remand prisoners (from these 3 boroughs) in HMP Wormwood Scrubs.
