Mental health and probation supervision in Ireland
| Author | Christina Power,Gerry McNally |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1177/20662203221149257 |
| Published date | 01 December 2022 |
| Date | 01 December 2022 |
| Subject Matter | Original Articles |
Original Article
European Journal of Probation
2022, Vol. 14(3) 204–219
© The Author(s) 2022
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DOI: 10.1177/20662203221149257
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Mental health and probation
supervision in Ireland
Christina Power Dr.
Clinical Psychologist
Gerry McNally
The Probation Service, Government of Ireland Department of Justice and Equality, Dublin, Ireland
Abstract
In 2019, three internal studies were conducted in the Irish Probation Service exploring
mental health among persons subject to probation supervision. This paper briefly
considers, as context for the studies, the Irish and wider international literature exploring
mental health problems among those engaged with probation services and outlines the
key findings from the three studies. The studies though limited in scale, scope and
methodology were consistent in identifying recurring themes supporting the broader
research literature highlighting the prevalence of mental health problems among pro-
bation service clients. The paper discusses the key findings and implications for probation
policy and practice, and looks to ongoing developments and related new initiatives in the
field in Ireland.
Keywords
Criminal Justice, Courts, Ireland, Mental Health, Probation
Prior to 2020 there has been little published data or research on mental health problems
among persons subject to Probation Service supervision in Ireland. A number of small-
scale practitioner studies (Griffin2008;Cotter 2015;Foley 2016) had highlighted
concerns regarding the incidence of mental health problems among the population. The
studies were limited in their focus but were instrumental in drawing attention to the field
by identifying significant gaps in knowledge and the need for further evaluation and
action.
Corresponding author:
Gerry McNally, The Probation Service, Department of Justice, Haymarket, Smithfield, Dublin 7, Dublin
D07WT27, Ireland.
Email: gpmcnally@probation.ie
A Vision for Change (AVFC), published in 2006 (Department of Health and Children,
2006), had established a government mental health policy framework for the model of
Mental Health Service provision in Ireland continued to be the lead policy until 2020. It
was described as a framework for building and fostering positive mental health across the
community providing accessible, community-based, recovery focussed specialist services
for people with mental health problems.
A Vision for Change (AVFC) highlighted that:
“The Nationwide Probation Service carries an extensive caseload of ex-prisoners and people
who have not served sentences. Many have had, or currently have, mental health problems.
Some may be in contact with Mental Health Services and others may not be, even though they
require such contact. Therefore it is essential that thereare linkages between the Probation
Service and the relevant generic mental health services and, where appropriate, Forensic
Mental Health Services to ensure a linked approach and, particularly, continuity of care”
(Department of Health and Children 2006: 141).
The AVFC outlined recommendations for forensic Mental Health Services for indi-
viduals with mental health problems who come into contact with the criminal justice
system and those with aggressive or challenging behaviour (Department of Health and
Children 2006: 39). The expert group emphasised that forensic Mental Health Services
should have a ‘strong community focus’and individuals in the criminal justice system
should have the right to be treated in non-forensic Mental Health Services unless there are
‘cogent and legal reasons why this should not be done’(Department of Health and
Children 2006: 137).
There has been limited progress in this area following on from AVFC. Mental Health
Reform (2017)
1
in a submission to a review of ‘A Vision for Change’, highlighted ongoing
concerns regarding unmet need for Mental Health Services for those individuals who fall
within the remit of the Criminal Justice System.
In June 2020, the new Mental Health Policy, ‘Sharing the Vision: a Mental Health
Policy for Everyone’was published (Department of Health, 2020). Disappointingly,
‘Sharing the Vision’does not make reference to individuals who are subject to a Probation
Supervision.
Moving forward together
In 2019, three internal research studies were conducted by Dr. Christina Power in the Irish
Probation Service, exploring mental health among persons subject to probation super-
vision. These studies were published in 2020 as Moving Forward Together: Mental
Health Among Persons Supervised by the Probation Service (Power, 2020). The report
findings highlighted the unmet mental health needs among vulnerable men and women
living in the community subject to Probation Service supervision in Ireland.
The overall sample of 500 included in the third study was based on five Probation
Service community supervision teams representing approximately 8% of the population
over 18 years of age and subject to supervision at the time of the study. The information
Power and McNally 205
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