About 4,000 offenders in England will get targeted healthcare sessions during their probation appointments as part of a new pilot scheme.
Offenders are far more likely to have poor physical or mental health or addiction issues, which increases the likelihood of reoffending.
A recent report by the chief medical officer for England, Chris Whitty, found that half of offenders on probation smoked, many had drug or alcohol addiction issues and a majority had poor mental health. They were also less likely to receive screening for prostate, breast, lung or cervical cancers.
Many offenders do not receive timely care because they are not registered with a GP, meaning often they seek help for any physical or mental health problems only when their symptoms have become acute, turning to A&E.
Under a joint pilot between the probation service and the NHS in England, up to 4,000 offenders will receive targeted health support during their probation appointments. NHS clinicians and nurses will work directly from probation offices and sit in on appointments between offenders and probation staff.
James Timpson, the minister for prisons, probation and reducing reoffending, said the pilot aimed to tackle the “cycle of crime driven by untreated mental health problems or an addiction to drink or drugs”.
He said: “A nurse or clinician can now sit in the room during probation appointments, identify the warning signs earlier and refer offenders quickly into treatment or mental health care. That’s a gamechanger. It will ensure offenders are quickly referred to services that are designed to directly address the issues fuelling their criminality, reduce the number of costly missed appointments and help cut reoffending.”
The scheme is being piloted in Cambridge, Middlesbrough, Ilfracombe and Hammersmith. Health hubs located in probation offices will help offenders to register with a GP and attend cancer screening appointments, and organise referrals to other health services as required.
Dr Dianne Addei, the director of healthcare inequalities improvement at NHS England, said: “We know that people released from prison often have poorer health outcomes, and evidence shows that the faster you intervene the more likely you are to see improvements, so this new scheme is a vital step to boosting people’s health.”
Gillian Merron, the women’s health and mental health minister, said she hoped the approach would help prevent reoffending and reduce demand on the NHS.
“By providing offenders with a health assessment and the right support, we’re giving them a real shot at rebuilding their lives. That means healthier communities and safer streets,” she said.
Experts cautiously welcomed the scheme. Mark Day, the deputy director of the Prison Reform Trust, said: “Much offending behaviour is driven by addiction or mental ill health, and so it makes perfect sense to collocate health services in probation to help identify and tackle the underlying causes of crime.
“People with neurodivergent conditions are disproportionately overrepresented in the justice system and can face particular barriers to accessing appropriate treatment and care. Health is already closely involved in many criminal justice settings, including youth offending teams and liaison and diversion services located in police stations and courts. We welcome these pilots and hope equal attention will be given to supporting those on community sentences at risk of being sent to prison, as well as those on release from custody.”
