Criminal Justice Liaison and Diversion Team

The team offers expert assessment of people who are detained in custody or attending court. They will provide interventions to those who need support, including:

• providing the registered GP with a written assessment in aid in any follow-up appointments or referrals
• giving written or verbal reports to courts or the police
• instigating formal Mental Health Act assessments
• will make appropriate onward referrals

The team where appropriate, will provide follow-up support in the community with a support time and recovery worker to help access services and resources which meet their identified needs.

Mental health professionals will offer advice and guidance to police officers, magistrates courts and other colleagues in the justice system, to help determine the most appropriate level of support required for each service user.

The service provides early intervention and aims to address health and social needs in order to reduce re-offending behaviours.

Referrals are accepted from all criminal justice agencies.

To request a referral form, call 01208 834 747 or email the Criminal Justice Liaison and Diversion Team.

Reconnect is a care after custody service. It seeks to improve the care of people, aged 18 and over, leaving prison or an immigration removal centre (IRC) with a health need.

We will work people before they leave facilities to help them switch to support from community-based services. This helps protects the progress made in prison or an IRC.

Reconnect services aim to improve your wellbeing. We will work with you to reduce inequalities. We will also help you to tackle any health-related issues linked to your offending.

We will help you gain access to other local services. We can also speak on your behalf.

Reconnect services aim to help you:

• with your health needs as you leave prison or an IRC
• access other services who can help with your health and care
• make the move out of prison or an IRC easier
• stay in touch with the people helping you

What will Reconnect do?

Reconnect will:

• help to plan for your release, we can do this for up to 12 weeks before your release date, this includes people on a temporary licence
• support you for up to 6 months after release or until your health needs are met
• make referrals to other services with your consent
• give you 2 named people to speak to before release
• help you get to know the community staff who will support you in future
• help you access peer support
• speak to prison and IRC staff
• work with physical, mental health and substance misuse and other services
• work in a trauma informed way that looks after all of you and your needs

How can I access Reconnect?

Reconnect will accept referrals from:

• probation services
• police
• liaison and diversion services
• Home Office enforcement teams for people who have been released in the past 28 days

You can also self-refer or ask a friend or family member to make a referral. It is best if you discuss this with your prison healthcare team or probation officer first.

If you would like more information or would like to make a referral, email the Reconnect Liaison Diversion Team.