Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust have a liaison service that works with the police, probation, courts and prisons. There are four prisons and nine courts in their area.

Staff from the liaison service work with individuals with mental health conditions, learning disabilities and substance misuse problems. They receive referrals from a wide range of people, including solicitors, magistrates, district judges, custody staff and family members.

Liaison staff screen defendants on their first appearance in court and provide feedback to the court on the same day. Reports include information about the particular support needs of individual defendants and, where appropriate, suggested sentencing options. Referrals to relevant professionals and services, such as community mental health services and third sector organisations, are also made.

Case study provided by Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust Criminal Justice Services.

Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, together with ‘Combat Stress’, formed the South West Veterans Mental Health Partnership to deliver care and support to former service personnel who suffer from mental health conditions. An increasing number of veterans are in contact with the criminal justice system.