Health of ex-offenders causing concern

22 Apr 2010 03:43 PM

Lack of access to coordinated healthcare services within prison and on leaving prison can significantly increase the likelihood of reoffending and further imprisonment. A half of those imprisoned are not registered with a GP prior to being sent to prison.

This is one of the findings in a new case study report from the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA).

People serving a year or less make up 60 per cent of those committed to prison. Forty-seven per cent of adults are reconvicted within one year of being released. For those serving sentences of less than 12 months this increases to 66 per cent.

Prison can exacerbate the factors that affect reoffending. Mental and physical health can deteriorate. A third of prisoners lose their house. Two-thirds lose their job. More than a fifth experience increased financial problems and over two-fifths lose contact with their family.

In 2008, black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) offenders represented 27 per cent of the prison population and nine per cent of the general population.
Three-quarters of prisoners have at least two diagnosable mental health disorders.
Two out of five girls and one in four boys in custody report suffering violence at home.
Between 20 and 30 per cent of offenders have learning disabilities or difficulties that interfere with their ability to cope with the criminal justice system.
The majority of people received into prison test positive for Class A drugs and report a drink problem.
Seven per cent of prisoners have an IQ of less than 70.
People aged 60 and over are now the fastest growing age group in the prison population.

Local authority resettlement services

Local authorities have developed services targeted at ex-offenders who leave prison after sentences of less than 12 months.

The report highlights Tower Hamlets which achieved Beacon status for its work on re-offending. Its strategy aims to facilitate a reduction in re-offending at a local level. It draws together and builds on the knowledge and expertise of those already engaged in resettlement work. Its key theme is ‘addressing need through partnerships’.

In Hull, the Minerva Project targets the 60 per cent of Hull’s prison population with sentences under 12 months. Hull Citysafe, the crime and disorder reduction partnership (CDRP), sponsors the project. It has created an in-house team working to deliver integrated services inside the prison and on the prison perimeter. It offers all prisoners with sentences less than 12 months, a care and community plan lasting 12 weeks to assist them in going back into the community.

When local authorities, criminal justice agencies, primary care trusts (PCTs) and the third sector work together, they can achieve more. The report has been produced by the Health Communities programme at the IDeA.

Offender and ex-offender health

Note

The IDeA supports improvement and innovation in local government, and is part of the Local Government Association Group.

The Healthy Communities programme aims to help local government improve the health of local communities.

It is part of the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA) and funded by the Department of Health (DH). The IDeA is a member of the Local Government Association (LGA) Group. It works closely with local government and local health bodies as well as national partners.

Local government is a key player in the fight to improve the health of local people and tackle health inequalities.

Further information

Contact:

Paul Bailey, IDeA
telephone: 020 7296 6529
email: paul.bailey@idea.gov.uk