Offender Health Report

Healthwatch Derbyshire spoke to 64 youth offenders and adult ex-offenders during 2019 about their experiences of using health services while involved with probation, youth offending services or after release from prison. Most participants were registered with a GP, but many adult ex-offenders had not registered with a dentist, often because it was not seen as a priority. A key finding was that many offenders relied heavily on probation staff to help them navigate healthcare services and access support. 

Mental health was the dominant theme throughout the report. Many adult ex-offenders felt there was insufficient support available and described difficulties accessing mental health services. Participants frequently reported being given medication rather than support to address underlying issues and some felt they were passed between services without receiving appropriate help. Several linked their offending, substance misuse or poor wellbeing to unresolved mental health problems and felt earlier intervention could have prevented difficulties escalating.

Experiences of primary care were mixed. Some participants praised GPs for being supportive, listening and helping them access treatment, while others felt dismissed or not listened to. Many participants reported difficulties understanding healthcare systems after release from prison and said they were given little information about how to register with GPs, dentists or other services. Several highlighted the need for information to be simpler, clearer and provided before release. 

Healthwatch concluded that offenders need better support to navigate healthcare services, particularly around mental health, primary care registration and health literacy. Recommendations included improving information provided before release from prison, strengthening mental health support and signposting, ensuring information is accessible and easy to understand, and developing wider support around housing, employment, healthy lifestyles and wellbeing to help offenders successfully reintegrate into the community.