Mental Health, Vulnerable people and Desistance

Question 1

who/what counts in the CJS

Answer 1

Mentally Disordered Offenders
People who commit crime, who have mental illness diagnoses
People who commit crime who have MH problems and/or learning disabilities
People who commit crimes and are vulnerable

Question 2

Barriers to desistance for people who have MH problems, learning difficulties or disabilities

Answer 2

CJS focus on risk/recidivism rather than wellbeing & improved mental health
“ has impact on eligibility for interventions and ability to engage/succeed
identity barriers (disabled, offender) - stigma
poor social bonds

Question 3

Colman and Vander Laenen (2017) on drugs

Answer 3

There is a well-established link between drug use and offending in the literature, but it is a highly neglected area in desistance research

Question 4

Dual diagnosis/comorbidity

Answer 4

mental health problems, combined with drug/alcohol problems very common

Question 5

what did Gobbels e.a (2016) find on dual diagnosis

Answer 5

Substance abuse and mental health problems are associated with poorer housing, employment and recidivism outcomes