Liaison Scheme Research Articles

Implementing a court diversion and liaison scheme in a remand prison by systematic screening of new receptions: a 6 year participatory action research study of 20,084 consecutive male remands

BackgroundA mental health needs assessment in the Irish prison population confirmed findings from other jurisdictions showing high prevalence of severe mental illness, including psychosis amongst those newly committed. We implemented a participatory action research approach in order to provide an integrated mental health prison in-reach and court liaison service for this population.ResultsFollowing extensive consultation, a two stage screening process was developed which was supplemented by an inter-agency referral management system. During the six years 2006–2011, all 20,084 new remands to the main remand prison serving 58% of the national population were screened. Following the first stage screen, 3,195 received a comprehensive psychiatric assessment. Of these 561 (2.8%) had symptoms of psychosis – corresponding to the prior research finding – and 572 were diverted from the criminal justice system to mental health services (89 to a secure forensic hospital, 164 to community mental health hospitals and 319 to other community mental health services).ConclusionsWe have shown that it is possible to match research findings in clinical practice by systematic screening, to sustain this over a long period and to achieve consistent levels of diversion from the criminal justice system to appropriate mental health services. The sustained and consistent performance of the model used is likely to reflect the use of participatory action research both to find the most effective model and to achieve wide ownership and cooperation with the model of care.

Garda Diversion of Young Offenders: An Unreasonable Threat to Due Process Rights?

Garda Diversion of Young Offenders: An Unreasonable Threat to Due Process Rights? Liz Cambell Address for Correspondence: Government of Ireland Scholar & Law Tutor pit, National University of Ireland, Cork lizjcambell@gmaiLcom Diversion programmes play a significant role in the field of youth justice, as an alternative to the conventional court process, which aim to prevent the entry of the child into the formal justice system. The long-established practice of diverting certain young offenders from prosecution ensures that children are not drawn into the criminal justice system and are not given a criminal record (Goldson, 2000: 35). A non-statutory diversion programme entitled the Garda Liaison Scheme was established in Ireland in 1963, which diverted less serious young offenders from prosecution (Report of the Committee Appointed to Monitor the Effectiveness of the Diversion Programme, 2003, para. 3.1). This scheme was placed on a statutory footing by part 4 of the Children Act 2001, an Act which represents a major reform of the law pertaining to young justice. Whilst a diversion programme has been established under part 8 of the Act which concerns those juveniles who are being prosecuted for a crime, this article will concentrate solely on the pre-trial diversion programme, given the particular issues of due process which arise in this regard.

Referrals to the Glasgow sheriff court liaison scheme since the introduction of referral criteria

This study is an audit of a court liaison scheme operating in Glasgow sheriff court. It represents a follow-on of previous work after the introduction of referral criteria to delineate more closely the appropriate population to be seen. Results were compared with the previous audit. The total number of referrals decreased by 66%, however, the proportion with a psychotic illness increased to 33%. A high referral rate of prisoners with addictions continued, although the service was not primarily designed for them. Fewer patients with no psychiatric diagnosis were referred to the scheme. Outcomes were, however, similar with approximately the same admission rate to hospital. The introduction of criteria appears to have reduced the numbers of inappropriate referrals without excluding the population with serious mental disorder. The introduction of referral criteria seems to have been beneficial to the scheme. The scheme has since changed again and so there may be benefit for a further audit to monitor the continuing appropriateness of referrals. The provision of specific interventions targeting prisoners with addictions is also supported by this audit.

Organ and tissue donation: a trustwide perspective or critical care concern?

Organ donation has become an accepted practice within the critical care setting; however, tissue donation is seldom considered within the ICU environment and even less in other hospital departments. This study describes the results from an early base line audit performed as the first stage in a larger action research project following the implementation of the Donor Liaison Scheme in an NHS trust. It was designed to assess the current level of knowledge, confidence and value system staff have, working in all areas of the hospital setting in relation to organ and tissue donation. The results from this audit highlight key areas for practice development across all areas of this NHS trust. Many healthcare professionals working within this trust are unaware that donation can be considered. The respondents identified a lack of knowledge and confidence to be able to identify and discuss the options of donation with a family, yet the majority believe strongly that a person's wishes should be respected after death. People who have signed on the NHS ODR anticipate that healthcare professionals will access the ODR and support their family in following through their wishes; therefore, all healthcare professionals should receive education on donation issues as an integral part of bereavement and end of life decision training. Education strategies that adopt an experiential approach should be developed in order to create confidence in healthcare professionals to offer choice in donation options

Experiences of a mixed court liaison and diversion scheme

Aims and MethodTo examine the activity of the East Sussex Court Assessment and Diversion Scheme and to investigate its diagnostic formulations, recommendations and the short-term outcome of individuals referred, using a retrospective analysis of data collected over 3 years during the everyday clinical duties of scheme members.ResultsDiversion was recommended for 858 individuals from a total of 1830 referrals. Most were referred to community services, but 131 were admitted to hospital, the majority under compulsion. The number of individuals admitted to secure hospitals has increased, and delays in admitting them have lengthened. The ethnic minority population was over-represented in referrals.Clinical ImplicationsCourt liaison and diversion in East Sussex successfully directs defendants with mental disorders to appropriate resources, both general and specialist, in-patient and community. The expansion of in-patient secure services needs to continue to accommodate increased demand. Reasons why ethnic minorities are over-represented in referrals require further study.

Mental illness in the UK criminal justice system: A police liaison scheme for Mentally Disordered Offenders in Belfast

Background: This paper describes and appraises an inter-agency police liaison scheme for MDOs in Northern Ireland.Aims: To examine administrative outcomes and psychiatric assessment data (including some follow-up information) and to assess the views of service-users and key stakeholders.Method: A battery of measures was devised to assess mental health status, drug and alcohol abuse and risk-related behaviour. Outcomes were assessed (as far as possible) within a prospective follow-up design including a survey of service professionals and interviews with MDOs. The performance of the scheme was measured using objective indicators.Results: Ninety-one per cent of all assessed detainees (n = 382) were judged to have a mental health problem. Sixty-eight per cent were GHQ cases whilst 62% attained “above-threshold” BPRS scores; 48% and 53% respectively had a history of harming self or others. Improvements in mental health were recorded for MDOs who were linked to services and who could be followed up. The service was valued highly by service-users and key stakeholders.Conclusions: The scheme effectively identified, assessed and linked most MDOs to existing services. However, significant changes in mainstream mental health services are required before the full potential of the service can be realized.Declaration of interest: Funding was received from the Northern Ireland Office. The views expressed are those of the authors.

A description of a forensic diversion service in one city in the United Kingdom.

This paper describes some recent research on forensic diversion services and the application of such services in Birmingham, UK. Key components include the diversion scheme in court, diversion at point of arrest, and the remand prison liaison scheme. Various community facilities, such as a specialized bail hostel and landlady schemes to which offenders are possibly referred, are also briefly described. We advocate the need for further research in order to examine the effectiveness of the services in Birmingham.

Evaluation of a psychiatric court liaison scheme in north London.

Court diversion schemes were established to ensure that people with mental illness who are brought before the courts obtain appropriate care from health and social services.1 In July 1993 a psychiatric court liaison scheme, one of about 300 in England and Wales, was established at Tottenham Magistrates' Court in north London to cover two boroughs, or one health authority. We evaluated the outcome for all defendants attending the scheme over 18 months. Between July 1993 and December 1994, 104 defendants were seen. We report the data on the 89 local residents. Subjects were monitored by address, postcode, age, ethnic origin, previous contact with psychiatric services, criminal record, and offence. Their outcomes were measured against the rate of discharges of inpatients from the …

The Clerkenwell scheme: assessing efficacy and cost of a psychiatric liaison service to a magistrates' court.

To determine the efficacy of psychiatric liaison schemes to magistrates' courts in shortening the period that mentally ill accused people spend in custody between arrest, the provision of psychiatric reports, and admission to hospital under the Mental Health Act 1983 and to establish the direct costs of setting up such schemes. A nine month prospective study of court referrals and concurrent analysis of prison records. An inner London magistrates' court (Clerkenwell) and a large remand prison (Brixton). Consecutive series of 80 remand prisoners receiving psychiatric assessment through a liaison scheme; 50 remand prisoners placed on hospital orders by magistrates' courts after being remanded to prison for reports; 364 psychiatric prisoners undergoing second opinion assessments at a remand prison; 520 offenders in a remand prison placed on hospital orders. Comparison of lengths of time spent in custody for different stages of the assessment and disposal process. For the 50 remand prisoners assessed in prison the mean time from arrest to appearance in court with a psychiatric report was 33.7 days and from arrest to admission to hospital 50.8 days. For those examined in court under the liaison scheme the equivalent figures were 5.4 days (t = 12.63, p less than 0.0001) and 8.7 days (t = 13.04, p less than 0.0001). The number of hospital orders made at the court increased fourfold after the liaison scheme began. The additional direct costs of the scheme were negligible. Psychiatric liaison services to magistrates' courts can greatly reduce the length of time that offenders with mental disorders spend in custody. Such schemes may increase recognition of offenders suitable for admission to hospital. A scheme could be established in some areas within existing service provision.

AILO–a phoenix arisen

The Association of Industrial Liaison Officers (AILO) is a young organization, yet its members have many years’ experience of successfully linking the expertise and equipment in educational establishments to the needs of industry and commerce. AILO members were transferring technology as early as the 1960s under the Industrial Liaison Scheme sponsored by the then Ministry of Technology (Mintech) in conjunction with Local Education Authorities.

Marilyn Taylor, Study of the Juvenile Liaison Scheme in West Ham 1961–1965, Home Office Research Unit Report No. 8, HMSO, London, 1971. vi+46 pp. 35p.

Marilyn Taylor, Study of the Juvenile Liaison Scheme in West Ham 1961–1965, Home Office Research Unit Report No. 8, HMSO, London, 1971. vi+46 pp. 35p.

Maltreated Children: Early Warning System and Follow-up Scheme

A report of a liaison scheme conducted by the Northampton and County Constabulary with the Consultant Paediatrician, Northampton General Hospital, and other parties involved in cases of maltreatment of children.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION ON MARKET RESEARCH USED BY INDUSTRIAL LIAISON CENTRES TO ASSIST SMALL FIRMS

A discussion of the various sources on market research used by Industrial Liaison Officers cannot be considered in isolation from the philosophy and operation of the industrial liaison scheme. This paper can therefore be considered to be in two parts, firstly that concerning the scheme itself and secondly the use of the various sources of information by the ILOs.

INITIAL REACTIONS TO A NEW JUVENILE LIAISON SCHEME*

Journal Article INITIAL REACTIONS TO A NEW JUVENILE LIAISON SCHEME Get access M. E. CAIN, M. E. CAIN Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar M. DEARDEN M. DEARDEN Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar The British Journal of Criminology, Volume 6, Issue 4, October 1966, Pages 421–430, https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.bjc.a048966 Published: 01 October 1966

College: industry liaison

The Minister of Technology announced recently that, since April 1964, when the Industrial Liaison Scheme was first started, 18 technical colleges had appointed industrial liaison officers and 18 others were in the process of making appointments. Four further colleges had the matter under review, and it was proposed very shortly to invite another 20 to 30 colleges to take part in the scheme. The prime aim of this liaison, however, is to serve as an aid to the greater dissemination of technical information and scientific and technological resources. Way down in the list of these officers' duties comes the matter of furthering relations and information about the nature and scope of the courses and facilities available at their colleges.