Identifying mental illness and monitoring mental health in probation service settings
| Author | Charlie Brooker,Coral Sirdifield,Thomas Parkhouse |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1177/20662203221140646 |
| Published date | 01 December 2022 |
| Date | 01 December 2022 |
| Subject Matter | Original Articles |
Original Article
European Journal of Probation
2022, Vol. 14(3) 179–203
© The Author(s) 2022
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DOI: 10.1177/20662203221140646
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Identifying mental illness and
monitoring mental health in
probation service settings
Charlie Brooker
Centre for Sociology and Criminology, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, UK
Coral Sirdifield
School of Health and Social Care, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UK
Thomas Parkhouse
School of Health and Social Care, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UK
Abstract
There is a need to improve a) identification and monitoring of people with mental illness
on probation and b) understanding of the impact of interventions on mental health
outcomes for the probation population. If data were routinely collected using validated
screening tools and shared between agencies, this could inform practice and commis-
sioning decisions, and ultimately it could improve health outcomes for people under
supervision. The literature was reviewed to identify brief screening tools and outcome
measures that have been used in prevalence and outcome studies conducted with adults
on probation in Europe. This paper shares findings from the UK-based studies in which 20
brief screening tools and measures were identified. Recommendations are made based on
this literature regarding suitable tools for use in probation to routinely identify a need for
contact with mental health and/or substance misuse services and to measure change in
mental health outcomes.
Keywords
mental health, mental illness, probation, criminal justice system, screening, assessment,
outcome measures
Corresponding author:
Coral Sirdifield, School of Health and Social Care, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK.
Email: csirdifield@lincoln.ac.uk
Introduction
Contact with a probation service can provide an opportunity for practitioners in the
health and justice field to monitor and potentially help to improve the mental health of
people that are often marginalised and are unlikely to access support until they are at
crisis point. However, in the UK, a recent joint thematic inspection has highlighted
numerous difficulties in relation to supporting people with mental health needs and
disorders in the criminal justice system. These include failure to identify people with
mental health needs throughout the criminal justice pathway,a need for a memorandum
of understanding to improve data-sharing between agencies, a shortage of mental health
services in England and Wales and long waiting lists for the services that are available
(HM Inspectorate of Probation et al., 2021). Research into the prevalence of mental
health needs and the efficacy of mental health interventions within the probation
population and improvements to routine data collection around mental health needs in
probation practice could begin to address these difficulties including through routine
data and research findings being used to inform commissioning and service delivery
decisions (Public Health England, 2020), ensuring that practice is based on the latest
evidence-base and demonstrating the need for additional investment in mental health
provision.
People on probation with mental illness are likely to also experience drug and/or
alcohol misuse, unstable accommodation or homelessness, difficult family relationships,
low levels of literacy and health literacy and a lack of access to and/or understanding of
technology (Power, 2020;Revolving Doors Agency, 2017;Sirdifield et al., 2019). This
complexity of need together with challenges like poor past experiences of service access
and a lack of GP registration can form barriers to service access. Continuity of care as
people progress through the criminal justice pathway is also problematic (HM
Inspectorate of Probatiodn et al., 2021;HMIP, 2016). If probation staff understand an
individual’s mental health needs and how they may relate to offending behaviour, they can
affect positive change by signposting to relevant provision where it is available, including
via Community Sentence Treatment Requirements if appropriate, and supporting con-
tinuity of care for people released from prison (HMPPS and NPS, 2019: p. 6).
Conversely, a lack of understanding of the mental health needs of those on probation,
barriers to access and a lack of services that meet needs can result in poor health outcomes
for this population and avoidable use of crisis care (Brooker et al., 2009;Public Health
England, 2020;Revolving Doors Agency, 2017).
However, there are numerous ethical and practical challenges in improving our un-
derstanding of this population’s needs. ‘Gold standard’screening tools for mental illness
can be time-consuming to complete, and screening may need to be undertaken by a
qualified clinician. Such resources are not always available to probation staff or re-
searchers, so various methodological approaches have been employed to date in practice,
research studies and evaluations.
Currently, data on mental health needs collected by probation staff in England and
Wales are often based on simple self-report rather than validated screening tools. More
work is required to ensure that data are collected consistently and in a research-informed
180 European Journal of Probation 14(3)
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