Mental Health and Offending

Dr Julie D. Trebilcock is a Senior Lecturer in Criminology at Middlesex University. Her research has been primarily concerned with the management of violent and sexual offenders with personality disorders under the Dangerous and Severe Personality Disorder (DSPD) Programme, and the more recent Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) pathway. Her particular expertise is with the institutional pathways and legal authority by which high-risk offenders are detained, Parole Board and Mental Health Tribunal decision making, and the staffing challenges involved with working with offenders with personality disorders. Dr Samantha K. Weston is a Senior Lecturer in Criminology at Keele University. Much of her research has focused on how risk prevention measures have been applied to vulnerable and marginalised populations including those who use substances, (potential) victims and (potential) perpetrators of child sexual exploitation and those experiencing mental ill health. This focus has enabled her to explore in more detail how certain, marginalised and vulnerable populations and their behaviour are understood, ‘managed’, ‘controlled’ and responded to.

'The field of mental disorder and crime is so all-encompassing as to put off many authors, but not criminologists Trebilcock and Weston. Their Mental Health and Offending: Care, Coercion and Control makes accessible a wealth of material. The book deftly takes the reader through the complex intersection of socio-legal issues pertaining across the criminal justice process as they affect those with mental disorder. Their analysis alone of the recent political landscape makes the book an outstanding contribution'. Jill Peay, Professor of Law, The London School of Economics and Political Science, UK'This book provides an authoritative and accessible exploration of some of the key dilemmas in offender mental health care. Combining academic rigour and a clear understanding of the issues faced in everyday practice, the authors address the core theme of care vs. control in a wide range of criminal justice settings, from initial contact with police, through custody, to rehabilitation in the community. This book is essential reading for criminal justice students but is also an invaluable resource for mental health professionals who want to better understand some of the core dilemmas in this complex field'.Dr. Colin Campbell, Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist, King’s College London and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, UK'The relationship between mental health and criminal justice has been the source of much contemporary penal policy debate. This clear and comprehensive book allows the reader to grapple with issues ranging from health ethics to the care of those with mental disorders in secure settings. It should be a must read for anyone wanting to understand the complex range of theories, issues and public policy responses to the challenges posed to the seemingly intractable dilemma of how to best serve the needs of those with mental health needs and to ensure that the needs of justice are met.'.Anita Dockley, Research Director,The Howard League for Penal Reform, UK

• 1. The controversial relationship between mental health and offending 2. Key perspectives surrounding mental health and offending 3. Exploring the politics of care, coercion and control 4. Mental health, offending and the police 5. Mental health, offending and the courts 6. Mental health, offending and secure detention 7. Mental health, offending and the community 8. Care, coercion and control: Exploring the key themes raised by mental health and offending