Recent service and legislative changes in the criminal justice system will offer research opportunities that augur well for the future healthcare of offenders

Abstract

The three focus papers in this issue of Nursing Times Research illustrate the developing world of health research in the secure mental health and custodial fields, research which may, in time, have far greater significance for the general health services than may be apparent now. One of the paper is on awareness of the health needs of prisoners by discipline officers provides some interesting insights into the important health surveillance and informal gate-keeping role of prison officers. In another paper, the authors provide a competency model in their paper, and an explanation of potential barriers to therapeutic care in secure environments. In the future, it is hoped that new methods and practices will emerge in terms of user involvement in prison research and in research on the effects of factors such as housing, employment and social exclusion on the health of those in the criminal justice offender's system. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)