Hope Inside
This report extracts learning from five of the mental health projects in the criminal justice system funded by the Trusthouse Charitable Foundation. Through first-hand accounts, the report increases understanding of the dynamic between common mental health problems, social exclusion and offending.
In 2009, the Trusthouse Charitable Foundation funded ten projects across the UK under its themed grant programme of mental health projects in the criminal justice system. Revolving Doors Agency was commissioned to undertake research with the beneficiaries of five of these projects. The backdrop to this research was widespread reform of public services relating to health, criminal justice and social exclusion. This had significant implications for this client group. Funding cuts were being delivered across all public services, at both national and local level.
Many commentators expressed fears that the availability of services supporting excluded groups would be reduced. Such a reduction would diminish opportunities for early intervention which could prevent future involvement with the criminal justice system. This timely research enables us to consider some of the potential implications of these changes to the public sector landscape.
The learning from this research covers:
- the dynamic between mental health problems and offending
- the impact of these five mental health projects
- the wider positive outcomes of mental health support.
This report deepens our knowledge of the wide range of positive outcomes these kinds of activities may have for participants. We conclude that these five projects are all highly valuable. Many more people in the criminal justice system would benefit from the approaches they employ.
