Mapping the prison mental health service workforce in Australia.

Davidson, F; Clugston, B; Perrin, M; Williams, M; Heffernan, E; Kinner, SA

Mapping the prison mental health service workforce in Australia.

Davidson, F Clugston, B Perrin, M Williams, M

Heffernan, E Kinner, SA

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Publisher:: SAGE Publications
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Australasian psychiatry : bulletin of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, 2020, 28, (4), pp. 442-447
Issue Date:: 2020-08

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Davidson, F
dc.contributor.author	Clugston, B
dc.contributor.author	Perrin, M
dc.contributor.author	Williams, M https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0969-2619
dc.contributor.author	Heffernan, E
dc.contributor.author	Kinner, SA
dc.date.accessioned	2021-03-08T04:23:09Z
dc.date.available	2021-03-08T04:23:09Z
dc.date.issued	2020-08
dc.identifier.citation	Australasian psychiatry : bulletin of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, 2020, 28, (4), pp. 442-447
dc.identifier.issn	1039-8562
dc.identifier.issn	1440-1665
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/146910
dc.description.abstract	<h4>Objective</h4>The rapidly growing number of people in prison in Australia, combined with the high prevalence of mental disorder in this population, results in high demand for mental health services in prison settings. Despite their critical role as part of a national mental health response, prison mental health services (PMHS) in Australia have been poorly characterised. In this paper, we describe findings of the first national survey of PMHS in Australia.<h4>Methods</h4>We distributed a survey to key representatives of PMHS in all Australian states and territories in 2016.<h4>Results</h4>Our method constitutes a replicable process for quantifying and comparing PMHS in Australia. We describe the structure, governance and staffing models in seven jurisdictions. When compared against international recommendations, only one Australian jurisdiction (the ACT) is funded to provide services at a level equivalent to mental health services provided in the community.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Prison mental health services in Australia are delivered by a complex mix of government, private sector and non-government services. Services appear to be severely under-resourced when compared with the available benchmarks.
dc.format	Print-Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	SAGE Publications
dc.relation.ispartof	Australasian psychiatry : bulletin of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1177/1039856219891525
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.subject	11 Medical and Health Sciences, 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences
dc.subject.classification	Psychiatry
dc.title	Mapping the prison mental health service workforce in Australia.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	28
utslib.location.activity	England
utslib.for	11 Medical and Health Sciences
utslib.for	17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access	*
dc.date.updated	2021-03-08T04:23:07Z
pubs.issue	4
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	28
utslib.citation.issue	4

Abstract:

Objective

The rapidly growing number of people in prison in Australia, combined with the high prevalence of mental disorder in this population, results in high demand for mental health services in prison settings. Despite their critical role as part of a national mental health response, prison mental health services (PMHS) in Australia have been poorly characterised. In this paper, we describe findings of the first national survey of PMHS in Australia.

Methods

We distributed a survey to key representatives of PMHS in all Australian states and territories in 2016.

Results

Our method constitutes a replicable process for quantifying and comparing PMHS in Australia. We describe the structure, governance and staffing models in seven jurisdictions. When compared against international recommendations, only one Australian jurisdiction (the ACT) is funded to provide services at a level equivalent to mental health services provided in the community.

Conclusion

Prison mental health services in Australia are delivered by a complex mix of government, private sector and non-government services. Services appear to be severely under-resourced when compared with the available benchmarks.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/146910