Community managed offenders' access to healthcare services: Report of a pilot study
| Published date | 01 March 2009 |
| Author | L. Syson-Nibbs,C. Fox,C. Brooker,Paul Barrett |
| Date | 01 March 2009 |
| DOI | 10.1177/0264550509102401 |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
Community managed offenders’ access to
healthcare services: Report of a pilot study
C. Brooker, Professor of Criminal Justice and Health, Centre for
Clinical and Academic Workforce Innovation, University of Lincoln
L. Syson-Nibbs, Public Health Nurse Consultant, Derbyshire
County NHS Primary Care Trust
Paul Barrett, Consultant Nurse, Lincolnshire Partnership NHS
Trust and Visiting Fellow, University of Lincoln
C. Fox, Research Assistant, Criminal Justice and Mental Health,
Centre for Clinical and Academic Workforce Innovation,
University of Lincoln
Abstract This article describes how a sample group of community managed
offenders engaged with a range of health services. This is based on the findings
from a pilot health needs assessment involving a representative sample of 183
offenders within two county-wide probation services. Health information was
collected using a specially designed structured health needs assessment tool and
complemented by exploratory interviews with probation workers. The results indi-
cated that community offenders were found to have greater physical and mental
health needs than the general population. Some problems were identified, particu-
larly in engaging with dental and mental health services. Although many parti-
cipants did not report any difficulty in accessing services, it would appear that
offenders’ engagement with health services was incommensurate with their likely
level of need. There are clear implications for NHS joint commissioning groups
who plan health services for this vulnerable group.
Keywords health needs, mental health, offenders, probation
45
Probation Journal
The Journal of Community and Criminal Justice
Copyright © 2009 NAPO Vol 56(1): 45–59
DOI: 10.1177/0264550509102401
www.napo.org.uk
http://prb.sagepub.com
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