Health Inequalities pilot : Criminal justice system
Presenter(s)
Susan MacAskill Senior Researcher, Centre for Tobacco Control Research, University of Stirling
Michelle Baybutt Pan Regional Prisons Programme Lead / Research and Development Officer, Healthy Settings Development Unit, University of Central Lancashire
Abstract
Smoking prevalence among prisoners at approximately 80% is higher than among the general public, representing a significant health inequality. There is a similarly high prevalence of additional health inequality indicators. The ‘Offender Pathway’ typically incorporates prisons, probation services, police custody, and other health and social care providers. Working in these settings provides many opportunities for joined up working across the Criminal Justice System and relevant agencies.
A Regional Tobacco Control Coordinator post (Prisons and Criminal Justice Settings) was established, based at University of Central Lancashire. This innovative role aimed to look towards organisational/systems perspectives across the offender pathway in relation to tobacco control and stop smoking support and treatment. This was part of a portfolio funded by the Department of Health and led by the UK Centre for Tobacco Control Studies (UKCTCS www.ukctcs.org). External evaluation by University of Stirling consisted of interviews with key informants and the coordinator, and review of relevant documents.
The Coordinator role encompassed wide-ranging activity: initial mapping of cessation activity; case studies in key settings and developing key outputs to inform practice; and actively networking within a range of agencies and alliances.
Highlighting achievements, this presentation will discuss the challenges and opportunities in delivering the project.
