From Prisoner to Patient – changing the perspective on vulnerable women in the criminal justice system

Allister Short - NHS Lothian

Willow ProjectAims to address women’s offending and related needs in order to: Reduce offending behaviour; Improve women’s health, wellbeing and safety; and Improve women’s access to services

Partnership between NHS Lothian, City of Edinburgh Council and SACRO

What’s needed at operational level:

Creating stability and tackling underlying issues Holistic one stop shop and neutral community venue Women specific service and interventions Multi-disciplinary team work (Group work and 1:1) Practical support to engage and remain engaged Flexibility of programme delivery – not just linear

What’s needed at organisational level:

Strategic leadership from partners Alignment with mainstream services Shifting the balance of care Prevention and early intervention Clear pathways for women across services Community-custody-community approach Focus on the outcomes

This country is a paradoxical tapestry of rich resources, inventive humanity, gross inequalities, and persistent levels of poor health and deprivation. Against that backdrop, the public services of the future must not only continue to provide a safety net for the vulnerable, but make a coherent contribution to a stronger, healthier, economically viable and more equitable society.

Christie Commission on the Future of Public Services in Scotland 2011

Did Willow work for you?“This is the first course I’ve on.”

“I’ve been to a few places like this but this .”

stayed

worked

“You more about yourself each time you come here.”

learn

‘‘I learned life coping .” skills