Community managed offenders' access to healthcare services: Report of a pilot study

Abstract

This article describes how a sample group of community managed offenders engaged with a range of health services. This is based on the findings from a pilot health needs assessment involving a representative sample of 183 offenders within two county-wide probation services. Health information was collected using a specially designed structured health needs assessment tool and complemented by exploratory interviews with probation workers. The results indicated that community offenders were found to have greater physical and mental health needs than the general population. Some problems were identified, particularly in engaging with dental and mental health services. Although many participants did not report any difficulty in accessing services, it would appear that offenders' engagement with health services was incommensurate with their likely level of need. There are clear implications for NHS joint commissioning groups who plan health services for this vulnerable group.