A new service enhancing the health and social care support provided to individuals in the criminal justice system in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent has been launched.
The Health and Justice Service will provide additional support to those in the criminal justice system with mental health concerns, learning disabilities, substance misuse problems or other vulnerabilities.
It brings together the following services in a partnership being delivered by Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT) and North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust (NSCHT):
- Liaison & Diversion – assesses vulnerable individuals with complex needs being brought into the criminal justice system, having been accused of criminal activity; including but not limited to support with mental health or a learning disability, alcohol or substance misuse, homelessness, financial needs or social difficulties.
- Mental Health Treatment Requirements – a sentencing option for people who have come into contact with criminal justice services and who have common mental health difficulties, such as anxiety and depression.
- RECONNECT – seeks to improve the continuity of care of vulnerable people leaving prison by working with them before they leave and supporting their transition to community-based services.
The Health and Justice Service will support individuals at each point of the criminal justice process, from those suspected of a crime, to those who have been convicted and are being released from prison after serving a sentence.
Jane Pulfer, Head of Service for MPFT said:
“This exciting launch sees one service being provided within the community, police custody, courts, and prisons in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent that is focused on identification, screening and prioritisation, assessment, and intervention.
“We’re delighted to be working alongside Combined Healthcare in delivering the new service, which it is hoped will support with the reduction of re-offending locally.”
Gavin Hicks, Service Manager for NSCHT said:
: “The new offer from the Health and Justice Service represents a fantastic development in our ability to support those in contact with the criminal justice system.
The service will be delivered in partnership between Combined and MPFT based on our previous collaboration in delivering Liaison & Diversion. The key addition that this service brings is our Reconnect pathway, which will support those with vulnerabilities leaving the prison estate to establish links within their local community and to tackle the offending revolving door in which our service users can find themselves stuck.”