Journal of Psychiatry

The Phoenix Project: A holistic approach to rehabilitation for women with particular vulnerabilities in the criminal justice system

Annual Congress on Mental Health

July 09-11, 2018 | Paris, France

David Truswell

PLIAS Resettlement, UK

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Psychiatry

Abstract:

In 2007, Baroness Corstonâ??s review of women with particular vulnerabilities in the criminal justice system was severely critical of the use of prison sentences for women offenders in the UK. Her report made a number of recommendations that emphasized the need for a comprehensive and holistic approach to rehabilitation based in the community. The recommendations included the recognition that supportive work had to focus on family relationships as well as the individual offender. Subsequently, little work has been done to develop the support and rehabilitation schemes for women reflecting the recommendations. In 2017, a 3 years project was completed, named as the Phoenix Project, working with vulnerable women with a history of involvement with the criminal justice system to improve access to work and education opportunities and improve life and relationship skills. The project was done with 91 women mainly of Black, Asian or minority ethnic background with many having multiple vulnerabilities. The project methods combined a holistic approach with a wide range of interventions including mentoring, teaching classes and experiential based work. This presentation summarizes the outcomes of the work and stories of some of those who benefited from the programme.

Biography :

David Truswell worked in Community Based Mental Health services for over 30 years of career spanning in the UK voluntary sector, local authority services and the NHS. From 2002 to 2005, he led the Delivering Race Equality Action Plan in and across Central and North West London NHS trusts, one of the UK’s largest mental health trusts at the time, delivering a range of mental health services across several London boroughs. He has recently set up “Some Fresh Thinking” (somefreshthinking.com), a health sector change management consultancy. He has been the Chairperson of PLIAS Resettlement for 4 years. PLIAS Resettlement is a voluntary organization working across London and the South UK providing support and rehabilitation services both within the community and within prisons in the region

E-mail: davidtruswell@icloud.com