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1) Healthcare for offenders

In the past, the prison health service has been very separate from the NHS, which has made it difficult to provide effective services. Now that the prison health service is coming under the aegis of the NHS there are opportunities to improve the health and health care of prisoners.

2) Greater partnership working

The proportion of offenders and ex-offenders with mental health needs is far higher than that found within the general community. This is also the case for children and young people in contact with the youth justice system. In addition, mental health needs in this population are often associated with issues of drug and/or alcohol misuse and social exclusion. Addressing these complex, multiple needs, requires active and effective partnership working across the range of health, criminal justice and social care agencies

3) Employment

The Council's Employment Action Plan identified the need for additional activity to support the employment prospects of a number of priority groups (e.g. incapacity benefit claimants, lone parents, older people, ex-offenders, homeless people and those from Black and Minority Ethnic groups) including:

• Pre-employment engagement of unemployed/inactive residents who are not involved in Jobcentre Plus's mainstream activities;
• Active customer management of clients. This would involve the provision of a sustained 1-2-1 support with individuals receiving a personalised, tailored package of help and support with the same adviser;
• Offering a menu of 'Support and progression' packages, tailored to individuals' needs; and, post-employment support.

4) Improved data collection

There is also the opportunity to improve data collection and communication - to ensure, for example, continuity of care when people enter or leave prison and a better understanding of the needs and movements of this population.

5) Social inclusion

The need for effective local partnership work is self evident20 through, for example, Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships and Local Strategic Partnerships. The best way to improve the health of this vulnerable group is to prevent them going to prison by tackling underlying problems in our communities.

Housing and homelessess

Alongside the priorities listed above the Supporting People Sector Briefing on Homelessness, ex-offenders and people with drug and/or alcohol problems (2008) has also highlighted the following priority system improvements:

• Establish accommodation standards for supported housing;
• A supported housing 'Gateway' to improve access to temporary or supported accommodation;
• Greater clarity about the differences and similarities about services;
• Improved management information to inform commissioning;
• Services offering meaningful occupation, with employment and enterprise opportunities for vulnerable people;
• Services able to respond to the needs of couples;
• Floating support and advice services which operate across tenure;
• Services able to support women with a history of offending with complex needs;
• Increased numbers of people who move on positively from emergency access accommodation and reduced evictions;
• Improve move on from approved premises through the pathways process;