Probation, Mental Health and Criminal Justice: Towards Equivalence

This collection of research and evaluation explores issues in mental health and probation across the globe. The volume offers insight into a wide range of interrelated topics that address the mental health and mental health needs of those under probation supervision. The chapters embrace a range of diverse mental health concerns. The underpinning assumption is that offenders should receive mental healthcare that is ’equivalent’ to that received by the general population where this is appropriate. This overview is informed by perspectives from academics and practitioners based in England and the Republic of Ireland, and also includes the views of people with lived experience of the Criminal Justice System. Building upon and adding to the existing literature in this field, the book will be a valuable resource for academics and researchers as well as those training to work in, and currently working in, the criminal justice and mental health field, and would also be of interest to those working in related healthcare settings.

Charlie Brooker has an honorary chair in the Department of Law and Criminology at Royal Holloway, University of London. He was previously professor of mental health at both the Universities of Sheffield and Manchester. He has published widely on the intersect between health and the Criminal Justice System including prisons, probation, policy custody, secure children’s homes and sexual assault referral centres (SARCs).

Coral Sirdifield is a Senior Research Associate at the University of Lincoln. She previously worked for the National Probation Service as part of a Lottery-funded project which employed nurses in probation offices to assess and address the health needs of people under probation supervision. She has been conducting research on understanding and addressing the health and social care needs of people in the Criminal Justice System since 2006.