Embedding third sector psychology services within the probation environment: an alternative to MHTRs
Journal of Criminal Psychology
ISSN: 2009-3829
Article publication date: 3 January 2020
Issue publication date: 4 February 2020
Abstract
Purpose
The use of mental health treatment requirements (MHTRs) has not proven to be successful at meeting the mental health needs of the probation population in the UK, largely through underuse of the requirement or lack of available services. The paper aims to discuss this issue.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper investigates a method of meeting those needs without the use of MHTRs by embedding third sector services within the probation environment.
Findings
Results indicate a significant impact after a six-month follow-up in symptomology across measures of depression, anxiety, general distress and social functioning; also indicated is a significant result on recidivism, with 74 per cent of participants committing no further offences in the 12 months following treatment.
Originality/value
These results represent the only evaluation of embedded, third sector mental health services in a probation environment in the UK, and highlight a further need to embed specialist mental health services within the probation environment and generalise that practice to other forms of service structure and therapeutic methodology.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors of this paper acknowledge the contribution of St Andrew’s Healthcare, a registered mental health charity in the UK, for providing clinical and administrative staff resource for this study.
Citation
Fowler, J.C., Price, R.C., Burger, K., Mattei, A.J., McCarthy, A.M., Lowe, F. and Sathiyaseelan, T. (2020), "Embedding third sector psychology services within the probation environment: an alternative to MHTRs", Journal of Criminal Psychology, Vol. 10 No. 1, pp. 16-29. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCP-04-2019-0013
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited