Multiagency working
in the criminal justice
system
By Jane Jolliffe and Garry Parvin
Drivers for change

Her Majesty’s Court Service (HMCS), National
Offender Management (NOMS) and NHS aim to
improve service for ‘mentally disordered adult
offenders’.

Three pilots at South East, London and the Old
Bailey looking at additional support in the crown
court.

Legislation and Reports: Mental Health Act, Bradley
Review, ‘No One Knows (Prison Reform Trust
2009).
Setting up a targeted court

Manchester was identified as a pilot site due
to the success of the Manchester Offender:
Diversion and Liaison (MO:DEL) service.

Partnership created between NHS
Manchester, Greater Manchester Police and
HMCS to establish the effectiveness of a
‘Targeted Services Court’.

Started in April 2011.
Aims of the new court
The Targeted Magistrates Court focused on
offenders who:
•
Commit lesser offences.
•
Require multi agency interventions.
•
Diversion from custody
•
Support around maintaining treatment orders
Overall outcome: reduction of mentally disordered
offenders in the Criminal Justice System. A safety net when
all other agencies have failed to identify mentally disordered
offenders.
Training
Training: 100 magistrates and 28 legal advisors by all
available support services:

Manchester Learning Disability Partnership.

MO:DEL

Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust
Personality

Disorder Service

Black and Ethnic minority Mental Health Network

Drug and Alcohol Team / Services
Aim: to assist magistrates to identify offenders who are
‘vulnerable’ and inform community sentences.
Evaluation



Experiencing low referral rates due to issue
of identification and screening.
The National Team (offender Health) said it
was a ‘national example of best practice’.
User evaluation being undertaken with Dr
Chadwick & Dr Wesson from Wolverhampton
Uni.
Future plans

Training to other court personal e.g. ushers, clerks and reception.

Adapting for the specific needs of offenders with significant learning
disabilities e.g. ‘easy read’ guide: Going to Manchester’s Targeted
Court, easy read exclusion orders.

To work with partners to ensure that all learning disabled offenders /
people with autism access this court.

Increased use of community orders including contact with specialist
health staff e.g. OTs for supervision and specified activities, SLTs for
communication support.
Hope Outside Prison Environment (HOPE) Project. Manchester
have been awarded 300K from DH to develop ‘aftercare and
support’ packages. Learning Disabled People and people with
autism are to included in this project.
