High Level Taskforce on the mental health and addiction challenges of persons interacting with the criminal justice system

The High Level Taskforce was established in 2021 to meet the government’s commitment to ensure the critical mental health needs of people in prison are met, addiction treatments are provided and appropriate primary care supports are available on release, in order to ensure improved outcomes for the individuals concerned and for society as a whole.

The needs of many people who interact with the criminal justice system are complex, and are often influenced by mental health and addiction challenges. Providing proper care to these and ensuring rehabilitation, both in terms of health needs but also in order to prevent future reoffending and contact with the criminal justice system, means these issues cannot be addressed in isolation or by the criminal justice system alone.

The Taskforce had 3 subgroups focused on 3 key elements to holistically meet these needs going forward:

• one subgroup, on Diversion, chaired by a member of An Garda Síochána, focused on diverting individuals with mental illness who have committed minor offences from progressing into the criminal justice system, in the best interests of both the public and the individual concerned
• a second subgroup, on Irish Prison Service/Central Mental Hospital Capacity, which was chaired by an Irish Prison Service Director, examined the existing and future needs of individuals within the custodial criminal justice system. The objective of this group was to ensure that there is adequate provision of services to meet the mental health and dual diagnosis needs of those in prison
• a third subgroup examined community issues and through-care upon release from custody, and was chaired by the Director of the Probation Service. The objective of this group was to ensure that there are sufficient safeguards in place and adequate provision of services to prevent individuals from relapsing into damaging behaviours undermining the rehabilitative efforts made by the individual and the State

Minutes of meetings

• Minutes from meetings of the High Level Task Force on mental health and addiction challenges of persons interacting with the criminal justice system
• Minutes from meetings of Subgroup 1 - Diversion
• Minutes from meetings of Subgroup 2 - Irish Prison Service and Central Mental Hospital Capacity
• Minutes from meetings of Subgroup 3 - Community issues including through care from detention

Reports