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In December 2007 Lord Keith Bradley was asked by the Government to undertake an independent review to determine to what extent offenders with mental health problems or learning disabilities could be diverted from prison to other services and what were the barriers to such diversion.

The report, published April 2009, details recommendations with the aim of establishing a new baseline of services for the future. It is hoped that over time offenders with mental health problems or learning disabilities are properly identified and assessed, appropriately sentenced and helped with their rehabilitation and resettlement, thus reducing the number in prison and impacting on their offending.

Recommendations include:

• A comprehensive mentoring programme for people leaving custody with mental health problems or learning disabilities and returning to the community should be established
• The Government should undertake a review to examine the potential for early intervention and diversion for children and young people with mental health problems or learning disabilities who have offended or are at risk of offending
• The National Offender Management Service, in partnership with the Department of Health and the NHS, should develop a national strategy for rehabilitation services for those leaving prison with mental health problems or learning disabilities who are not subject to supervision from the Probation Service
• The development of Criminal Justice Mental Health Teams to liaise with local community services amongst other functions.

MBF in partnership with the Prince's Trust and other offender sector leaders are developing a campaign to promote the benefits of one-to-one support for offenders during resettlement.  For further information please contact emma.dobie@mandbf.org.uk Read The Bradley Report summary and full report