title: Mental disorder and probation policy and practice: a view from the UK.
abstract: This article is concerned with the manner in which offenders with mental illnesses serving community sentences are identified and treated by the probation service in the UK. It presents the results of recent research examining the prevalence levels of current and lifetime mental illness, substance misuse, and dual diagnosis and suicide rates amongst those serving community sentences in the UK. These high levels of mental disorder are not being addressed by probation policy or practice in a manner that is effective or sensitive. The article concludes by considering the relevance of innovative approaches to the treatment of offenders with mental illnesses in the community currently being adopted in the US to the UK.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Criminology and Sociology, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham Hill, Surrey TW20 0EX, United Kingdom. Electronic address: charlie.brooker@rhul.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Charlie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brooker
authors.affiliation: Centre for Criminology and Sociology, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham Hill, Surrey TW20 0EX, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Denney
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Social Care, Bridge House, University of Lincoln, Brayford Campus, Lincoln LN6 7TS, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Coral
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sirdifield
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D035846:Law Enforcement; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D028642:Persons with Psychiatric Disorders; D015995:Prevalence; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006113:United Kingdom; D000092864:Suicide Prevention
keywords: Mental illness; Prevalence rates; Probation; Substance misuse; Suicide