Scott, David A. and McGilloway, Sinéad and Dempster, Martin and Browne, Fred and Donnelly, Michael (2013) Effectiveness of Criminal Justice Liaison and Diversion Services for Offenders With Mental Disorders: A Review. Psychiatric Services, 64. pp. 843-849. ISSN 1075-2730

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Abstract

Objective: The authors reviewed studies of the effectiveness of criminal justice liaison and diversion (CJLD) services in which outcomes of participants in these services were compared with those of offenders with mental illness who received no intervention or a standard intervention. The authors synthesized existing evidence with respect to changes in mental health status or criminal recidivism. Methods: A comprehensive search (1980–2012) of more than 30 generic and specialist databases identified 6,571 published and unpublished studies. The studies, which varied considerably in methodological approach and overall quality, were systematically appraised according to Campbell-Cochrane guidelines. Ten studies met inclusion criteria. Key outcomes included a reduction in offending and postintervention changes in mental health. Results: Synthesized findings indicated that CJLD services appeared to be effective in identifying offenders with mental disorders and that participation in CJLD services had a positive impact on criminal justice and mental health outcomes. Conclusions: Although the methodologies of existing studies are only moderately rigorous, the overall findings suggest that CJLD services can be beneficial. Their effectiveness depends on the model of service delivery, the availability of community services, and the engagement of offenders with mental disorders in treatment. The successful implementation of CJLD services requires a clearer recognition of the importance of systems-of-care principles.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	The definitive version of this article is available at doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.201200144
Keywords:	Criminal Justice Liaison; criminal recidivism; Diversion Services; Offenders; Mental Disorders;
Academic Unit:	Faculty of Science and Engineering > Psychology
Item ID:	6211
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.201200144
Depositing User:	Dr. Sinéad McGilloway
Date Deposited:	18 Jun 2015 16:06
Journal or Publication Title:	Psychiatric Services
Publisher:	American Psychiatric Association
Refereed:	Yes
URI:
Use Licence:	This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

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