Prison mental health in-reach teams in Aotearoa New Zealand: A national survey. Issue 5 (3rd September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McKenna, Brian; Skipworth, Jeremy; Forrester, Andrew; Shaw, Jenny
• Is Part Of: Psychiatry, psychology, and law. Volume 28:Issue 5(2021)
• Page Start: 774
• Page End: 784
• Publication Date: 2021-09-03
• Subjects: assessment -- in-reach -- intervention -- prison -- reintegration -- screening -- triage; Criminal psychology -- Periodicals; Forensic psychiatry -- Periodicals; Mentally ill offenders -- Periodicals; 345.9404
• DOI: 10.1080/13218719.2020.1855269
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1321-8719

Abstract

Abstract : The STAIR in-reach model of care for prisoners with serious mental illness focuses on screening, triage, assessment, interventions and reintegration by using the principles of assertive community treatment. An evidence base exists for the efficacy for its use in Aotearoa New Zealand. However, little is known about its adoption throughout the country. This national survey of managers of in-reach teams to all prisons ( N = 19) aimed to determine the pattern of in-reach service delivery. It compared STAIR in-reach teams with other teams regarding service structure, staffing, interventions, reintegration strategies and training needs. This study signals gains made by adopting the STAIR model (multi-disciplinary team service delivery, 'through the wire' support and use of technologies to assist discharge planning) and potential areas of improvement (further use of psychosocial interventions and training needs). To assist national adoption of STAIR, a review is required to consider the cultural responsivity, gender-responsivity and recovery-orientated characteristics of the model.