This guideline covers assessing, diagnosing and managing mental health problems in adults (aged 18 and over) who are in contact with the criminal justice system. It aims to improve mental health and wellbeing in this population by establishing principles for assessment and management, and promoting more coordinated care planning and service organisation across the criminal justice system.

Also see NICE’s guideline on physical health of people in prison, which covers mental health assessment for the prison population as part of the first-stage health assessment for people going into prison, and continuity of mental health care for people leaving prison.

Recommendations
This guideline includes recommendations on:

assessing and managing a person’s mental health problems, including assessing risk to themselves and others
planning their care
psychological and pharmacological interventions
how services should be organised
staff training
Who is it for?
Commissioners and providers of health and justice services
All health and social care professionals working with adults in contact with the criminal justice system in community, primary care, secondary care and secure settings
Adults in contact with the criminal justice system who have or may have mental health problems