A model of a specialist transitional support and liaison service within the Offender Personality Disorder Pathway in Wales: Learning from a regional pilot service

Abstract

The process of transitioning from custody to the community can be a time of increased risk of reoffending and heightened anxiety brought on by uncertainty of future plans and unfamiliarity of new surroundings. This period can be particularly problematic for those experiencing complex needs or suffering with mental health difficulties. To address this concern, the Offender Personality Disorder Pathway (OPDP) in Wales established a Transitional Support Liaison service. This pilot service began with a focus on women’s criminal justice journeys, and evident benefits led to service expansion to additionally address men’s transitions to the community through Approved Premises. This practice note outlines the learning from these services, presenting a model of service delivery that can be adopted and expanded more widely. The paper concludes with recommendations and plans for service expansion.

Offender personality disorder pathway Intensive Intervention Risk Management Service (IIRMS): Barriers to engagement and a vision for the future

“…It may be possible to draw parallels between our findings and those previously identified in relation to offenders accessing other relevant psychological services (Adamson et al, 2013; Brooker and Glyn, 2012; Brooker et al, 2012: Byng et al, 2012; NOMS, 2014; O’Meara et al, 2019; Ramsden et al, 2016; Scott and Moffatt, 2012; Skett et al, 2017). For example, The Centre for Mental Health briefing issued in 2012 in relation to the MHTR 3 for offenders acknowledged that the MHTR accounts for under 1% of requirement ordered despite the prevalence of mental health diagnosis amongst the probation population (approximately 39–40% of the population) (Brooker and Glyn, 2012).…”

“…Reasons for this identified include instability within their lives following release from prison, instability in relational family support, financial difficulties and other difficulties in accessing services (Byng et al, 2012; Scott and Moffatt, 2012). Similarly, recent research conducted within the pathway (O’Meara et al, 2019) and in the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) practice guidance relating to offenders (Adamson et al, 2013) have indicated offenders within the probation services continue to be underrepresented within psychological services in the community. Barriers to engagement in appropriate community services again appear consistent with some of the offender barriers to engagement in IIRMS raised in the current study.…”

“…Prior research published within this journal and elsewhere provide details of the approaches taken by different services, service experiences and considers challenges faced (e.g. O’Meara et al, 2019; Ramsden et al, 2016; Ryan et al, 2019).…”

“…Similarly, O’Meara et al (2019) recently identified a number of barriers when establishing a similar IIRMS as part of the OPD pathway within Wales. 2 Specifically, in Wales these included difficulties with access to information across the partnership, differences in service provision between prison and community services, continuity of contact, service protocols, communication and lack of basic assistance and consistent service provision for offenders transitioning to the community.…”

“…The OPD pathway aimed to address this by recognising the need for offenders to be managed across a pathway that starts and ends in the community, and which understands the nature of the complex needs of offenders with personality disorder (Skett and Lewis, 2019). Additionally, the pathway recognises that times of transition between services may be particularly difficult for offenders with complex needs who may also suffer with mental health difficulties (O’Meara et al, 2019).…”