For the first time, NHS clinicians and nurses will work directly from probation offices in crime hotspots across England, sitting in on offender appointments to deliver vital health interventions.
The pioneering scheme aims to screen up to 4,000 offenders for mental health, drug and alcohol misuse, and refer them to specialist services tackling addictions that fuel criminal behaviour.
Offenders with chronic health conditions or neurodivergent needs will also be linked to GP practices, housing officers and local support services, helping them turn their backs on crime for good.
Evidence shows offenders on probation are far more likely to suffer from mental health and addiction issues, which significantly increase the risk of reoffending. Studies confirm that addressing these health barriers reduces crime and creates fewer victims.
The initiative, piloted in four high-reoffending areas, will also cut missed GP appointments and hospital readmissions, saving taxpayers hundreds of millions annually.
Key facts:
- Up to 50% of adult prisoners may be neurodivergent, including those with learning disabilities or brain injuries.
- Offenders often face barriers to care, such as lack of ID or address, making GP registration difficult.
Dedicated health navigators with lived experience will support offenders in accessing healthcare and overcoming these barriers.
Lord Timpson, Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending, said:
“Too many offenders are stuck in a cycle of crime driven by untreated mental health problems or addiction. This new approach brings our NHS into the heart of the justice system so we can better diagnose and solve the problem while cutting reoffending.
“By tackling these issues head-on as part of our Plan for Change, we’re better protecting the public by addressing the root causes of crime – not just the symptoms.”
This pilot forms part of the Government’s 10-Year Health Plan, backed by £29 billion in funding, and complements the expansion of Intensive Supervision Courts, which tackle root causes of crime through treatment and regular judicial oversight.
The Government is also investing £700 million in the Probation Service and new technology to reduce admin, allowing staff to focus on reducing reoffending.
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