Question addresses the gap in support for prisoners with chronic mental health conditions transitioning from prison to the community. The answer confirms action taken by the Mental Health Commission to address this gap through a forensic mental health prison in-reach transition service.

AnsweredQoN 1058Legislative Council
Asked
20 March 2018
Portfolio
Mental Health

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the Inspector of Custodial Services Report, Transitional
Services in Western Australian Prisons, and to concerns that ‘many prisoners
with chronic mental health conditions left prison with little to no formal
support’, and I ask: (a) has the Mental Health Commission undertaken or planned any work to address this gap; and (b) if yes, please provide information about this work?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
8 May 2018
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Mental Health
Response time
9 days
I am advised that:
(a) Yes.
(b) In response to an identified service gap for people with chronic mental health conditions transitioning to the community, the Mental Health Commission commenced commissioning the forensic mental health prison in-reach transition service, in February 2017. The service is delivered by the North Metropolitan Health Service, State Forensic Mental Health Service. The service provides transition of care services to prisoners entering and exiting public metropolitan prisons including Bandyup, Banksia Hill, Casuarina, Karnet, Wooroloo and Hakea. The service assists prisoners who experience severe and enduring mental illness with complex co-morbidity, in preparing for release. It also facilitates transitions between prison and community mental health services through the provision of transition care planning including assessment, case management, treatment intervention and consultation.

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