Engager: Evaluation of a collaborative care intervention for offenders
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Evaluation of a complex intervention (Engager) for prisoners with common mental health problems, near to and after release - Full Trial
IRAS ID
179723
Contact name
Richard Byng
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Devon Partnership NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
5 years, 4 months, 31 days
Research summary
Prisoners, while in prison and after release, suffer from many mental health problems. While prison healthcare has improved in recent years, mental healthcare is minimal for many and care after leaving prison is particularly lacking for those with short sentences. We suggest addressing prisoners’ mental health problems would lead to considerable gains to prisoners’ health, the wellbeing of their families and communities, improved social inclusion, reduced reoffending, and associated financial benefits to society.
During phase 1 of the Engager project, we developed a collaborative care intervention for prisoners with common mental health problems, near to and after release. Phase 2 of the project (this application) will comprise a randomised controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of the Engager Intervention.
The study will be conducted across two research sites and will involve the recruitment of 280 participants, identified using a screening to identify current common mental health problems or likely problems on release from prison. Half will be randomised to the Engager intervention group and half will receive standard care on release from prison. Participants will be male offenders serving a sentence of 2 years or less who are within 20 weeks of their release from prison. Baseline assessments will be conducted at recruitment, and follow-up interviews will be collected at 1 week pre-release, and then at approximately 1, 3, and 6 months post release. Reconviction data will be collected at 12 months post-release.
The intervention will run from 16 weeks pre-release to up to 4 months posts release, depending on the need of individual participants.REC name
Wales REC 3
REC reference
15/WA/0314
Date of REC Opinion
14 Sep 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion