Brooker, Charlie and Sirdifield, Coral and Blizard, Robert and Denney, David and Pluck, Graham (2012) Probation and mental illness. Journal of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology, 23 (4). pp. 522-537. ISSN 1478-9949

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Abstract

Levels of mental illness amongst prisoners are high, but little is known about the situation of those serving community sentences. More information is needed at a time when the UK Department of Health is seeking to improve mental health service access for all offenders. To estimate the prevalence of both current and lifetime mental illness, an epidemiological survey was conducted on individuals under probation supervision in Lincolnshire, England. Assessment included the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Inventory and other measures of mental health. We estimate that around 39% of individuals in this probation population are suffering from current mental illnesses, anxiety disorders being the most common. Furthermore, around 60% have substance abuse problems and around 48% have personality disorders. Lifetime mental illness, co-morbidity and dual diagnosis were also found to be high. In common with other groups of offenders, the prevalence of mental health problems in those serving community sentences is high.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Levels of mental illness amongst prisoners are high, but little is known about the situation of those serving community sentences. More information is needed at a time when the UK Department of Health is seeking to improve mental health service access for all offenders. To estimate the prevalence of both current and lifetime mental illness, an epidemiological survey was conducted on individuals under probation supervision in Lincolnshire, England. Assessment included the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Inventory and other measures of mental health. We estimate that around 39% of individuals in this probation population are suffering from current mental illnesses, anxiety disorders being the most common. Furthermore, around 60% have substance abuse problems and around 48% have personality disorders. Lifetime mental illness, co-morbidity and dual diagnosis were also found to be high. In common with other groups of offenders, the prevalence of mental health problems in those serving community sentences is high.
Keywords:	probation, offender, Mental illness, Dual diagnosis, Personality disorder
Subjects:	A Medicine and Dentistry > A990 Medicine and Dentistry not elsewhere classified
Divisions:	College of Social Sciences > Faculty of Health & Social Sciences > Lincoln School of Health & Social Care
Depositing User:	Coral Sirdifield
Date Deposited:	02 Aug 2012 20:59
Last Modified:	13 Mar 2013 09:12
URI:	http://eprints.lincoln.ac.uk/id/eprint/6025

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