Released, but what now? Supporting people to look after their health and wellbeing after prison – the ‘Health and Wellbeing Contacts in Lothian’ Card

Author: Sabina McDonald, Senior Health Promotion Specialist, NHS Lothian Health Promotion Service

Background: Points of transition between services can be a potential barrier to effective continuity of care, especially where the individual receiving the care has multiple or complex health and social needs. One such point of transition is that for people leaving prison returning to the community1. The health and wellbeing of many people who are held in our prisons is poor, and within this population there is a high prevalence of multiple or complex health and social needs2. While there may be a wealth of support and service provision available in the community, it can be difficult to navigate.

Method: The ‘Health and Wellbeing Contacts in Lothian’ Card was developed in partnership with colleagues (prison – and community – based) to help people leaving prison to access community and support services.

The card was reviewed by people being held in HMP Edinburgh and evaluated well.

As a pilot, HMP Edinburgh staff have been distributing the cards to people leaving prison; approximately 150 cards have been distributed since April 2016. The cards are discussed with prisoners who attend the HMP Edinburgh Restart Programme (a pre-release programme) so as to encourage use of the cards post-release.

Results: To date it has proven difficult to get feedback from people who have been released from prison, however feedback from some staff teams/staff has been positive. Interest has also been shown in having access to a supply of the cards from mentoring project teams and staff working within police custody settings.

Conclusion: The continued use of the contacts card is subject to review; if continued then the card content will be regularly updated and adapted for use across the Criminal Justice System.

1. Mackie, P. and Thorpe, A. 2014. Review of Health Care Needs of Prisoners in relation to Throughcare. ScotPHN. Available at: http://www.scotphn.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Report-Review-of-Health-Care-Needs-of-Prisoners-in-relation-to-Throughcare-September-2014.pdf (accessed 7th June 2016).

2. Brutus, L., Mackie, P., Millard, A., Fraser, A., Conacher, A., Hardie, S., McDowall, L. and Meechan, H. 2011. Better health, better lives for prisoners: A framework for improving the health of Scotland’s prisoners. ScotPHN, SHPMG and SPS. Available at: http://www.scotphn.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/A-framework-for-improving-the-health-of-Scotlands-prisoners-Volume-1.pdf (accessed 7th June 2016).